586 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



If the skin continues to be very hard and stiff, a little glycerine should 

 be brushed on two or three times a week. 



There are, however, constitutional cases of mallenders where it is not 

 advisable to dry up the sore, as lameness is the alternative. The parts can 

 be kept clean and comfortable by the application of carbolic ointment or oil. 



HARNESS GALLS AND SITFASTS 



Much annoyance is caused the horse-owner by galls produced by saddlery 

 and harness, and a good horseman will inspect it for himself from time to 

 time, so that no carelessness on the part of his servants shall throw a horse 

 out of work in this way. Some tender-skinned animals are so prone to gall 

 that no amount of care can prevent it at all times. 



Sym2')toms. — When the skin is not broken and the injury not patent to all, 

 there may be only a crouching when the saddle is put on, or a swelling may 

 be found, hot, tender, and hard to the feel. The formation of matter may 

 follow, or instead, what is known as a sitfast. 



Treatment. — Removal of the cause, fomentation or the application of cold 

 lotions on linen or other material that permits of evaporation. This treat- 

 ment will often disperse a gall if adopted early. If matter seems determined 

 to form it is well to encourage it by poulticing, and when ripe, introduce the 

 lancet and continue the poultices until the swelling subsides. No pressure 

 should be put upon the parts again until thoroughly healed. 



Sitfast. — When the swelling is not absorbed nor an abscess formed, the 

 skin injured may die, and lifting up round the edges continue to retain its 

 hold on the flesh by the central and living portion. It is a troublesome and 

 tedious business waiting for it to come away, and no great harm is likely to 

 accrue if the impatient owner cuts it out, but he should take care that he 

 does cut it oiit and not off, or the delay will be all the greater. Whether by 

 time or force the removal of the dead skin is essential before any healing 

 can take place. Once removed the raw surface soon forms a healthy crust 

 and heals up. 



CHAPPED OR CRACKED HEELS 



The heel of the horse in health has a soft, unctuous feeling duo to the 

 secretion of certain glands under the skin whose function it is to keep this 

 part supple during the many movements of the pastern and foot. From 

 causes to be presently named these become inflamed, the skin cracks and 

 lameness results, often accompanied with a good deal of pain and swelling. 

 If neglected it may run on to "grease" and the formation of warty excres- 

 cences known as grapes from a slight resemblance to that fruit in shape. 



Causes. — When the weather is for a long time dry and dust is thick upon 

 the roads there is a continual shower of minute particles of powdered stones 

 being thrown upon the hairless portion of the pastern we call the heel, and 

 these summer cracks are often the worst of all to deal with. Long-con- 

 tinued wet weather, when wet instead of dry grit is in constant contact, and 

 evaporation goes on whenever the horse is at rest. Snow and slush make 

 red the heel during exercise and cause it to crack when at rest. Cold winds, 



