3b CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



Diseases of the skin are not so common in the horse as in man, which 

 is owing to the mode of living. Manges have been supposed to be very 

 frequent. There are different classifications, some according to the cause, 

 and others according to the kind. We may have inflammations of vari- 

 ous kmds attacking the skin. They are generally confined to the outer 

 layer of the true skin. These are erythema or redness. Eczema means 

 to boil, or ooze out, accompanied with exudation of liquor sanguineous. 

 We have inflammation, followed by a form of grease, or cracked heels. 

 At first, it is just an eczemetous disease. 



Scratches, cracked heels, cracks in the hollow of the heel, are very 

 common among Canadian horses. The irritation is at first set up in the 

 superficial layer of the skin, and if permitted to run on it will involve the 

 deep layers of the skin. The attack is more confined to the hind legs in 

 some classes of horses than others, and some breeds of horses are more 

 susceptible than others. 



Causes. — Washing, and not drying ; allowing them to dry by evapor- 

 ation ; the glands become injured, and irritation is set up ; standing in 

 badly-kept stables, or it may come from wearing a boot that is too tight. 

 Some animals are more subject to it than others. In race horses it gener- 

 ally proceeds from sweat passing down the legs, which sets up an irrita- 

 tion. Trainers are very careful in bandaging the legs, but not the heels. 

 Severe exertion helps the development of the disease. The heavier breed 

 of horses are more liable to this disease than the lighter breeds. It is 

 rare that it is met with in cavalry horses or artillery horses, for the per- 

 son in charge of a horse affected is generally put under arrest. 



Symptoms. — There is more or less difliculty and swelling about the 

 heels. The animal may be stiff and sore when coming from the stable, 

 but gets batter after some exercise, and in some cases the animal may lift 

 the leg like a spring-halt, or something similar. The fetlock is somewhat 

 swoollen ; blood may ooze out, in some cases, quite freely, and if in a 

 white leg you can see the exudation. It may terminate in grease. 



Treatment. — If an ordinary case in the hind legs, give six, eight or ten 

 drachms of aloes, having prepared the animal for it by feeding on bran, 

 mash, etc. Bathe with good warm water, and if there is much dirt upon 

 the heels, wash them well and bathe judiciously with tepid water. If 

 there is much pain, use a light poultice ; a tonic poultice is best ; about 

 two tablespoonfuls of linseed meal is enough ; just to allay the irritation. 

 There are many other applications, as the white lotion, one ounce of lead 

 acetate, six drachms sulphate of zinc, to a quart of water ; or carbolic 

 acid, one drachm, spirits of wine, one drachm, to one pint of water, if 

 just an ordinary case. • In severe cases the treatment is somewhat the 

 same, but after poulticing just apply cotton to the heel to give slight 

 pressure. These cracks may become of an indurated character ; in such 

 a dSse you will have to use a stimulant. Use iodine liniment. You may 

 touch the parts with nitrate of silver, and you may need to give a diu- 

 retic. Nitrate of potash, two or three drachms, may be given every day 

 for two or three days. Glycerine is useful ; also sweet spirits of nitre, 

 acetate of lead, and glycerine does very well. It is easily treated if 

 properly treated, but do not apply a stimulant unless it becomes indolent. 

 If hot medicines are used it may produce 



Mad Fever. — A superficial inflammation of the leg ; it attacks any 

 leg, mud being the exciting cause, and wet muddy roads. It is acceler- 

 ated by washing the limbs and not drying them properly, which irritates 

 the parts and may be the producing cause, and may produce it very 

 quickly. Being muddy during the day and freezing at night is a prolific 



