SKIN AND BLOOD DISEASES 239 



the heels and pasterns before the horse is taken out 

 on wet roads — especially in winter and spring — and 

 when the horse comes in make his legs clean and dry 

 as soon as possible — and especially dry. Never wash 

 them unless you are prepared to rub them dry after- 

 ward or to rub them nearly dry (if the hair is long you 

 cannot get them perfectly dry) , and then put on a thick 

 bandage or two or three thin bandages on each leg. 

 The purpose of this is of course to keep the legs warm 

 while drying. The bandages should be put on loosely. 



To cure scratches, wash the legs with warm water 

 and castile soap when the horse comes in, dry them 

 thoroughly, and then apply the ointment described 

 on page 220. 



Another remedy for scratches — a mild one to be 

 used when the trouble first appears, is this : 



Rose water 8 ounces 



Glycerine 8 ounces 



Sugar of lead, in solution i ounce 



It will be noticed that all the remedies for scratches 

 contain lead, and Rising Sun Stove Polish, which con- 

 tains a good deal of lead, will be found an excellent 

 remedy for scratches if mixed with vinegar. 



If the scratches are so bad that matter accumulates, 

 it will be necessary to apply a poultice, and for this 

 purpose you can buy a rubber cylinder or ring which 

 goes on over the hoof and holds the poultice in place. 

 This is an inexpensive contrivance, and saves much 

 trouble. 



The poultice should be made of bran, and hot water, 



