CRACKED HEELS. 83 



the heels and up the legs after perspiration has poured 

 down and become accumulated in the flexures of the heels. 

 Heat and cold, acting alternately, will produce cracked 

 heels, as, for instance, washing the heels with warm water 

 after travellinfr the animal throudi cold slush or mud. 



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Sometimes the animal gets his foot ov^er the halter and rubs 

 it, setting up an irritation wdiich by injudicious treatment 

 terminates in cracked heels. A bad practice, and a very 

 common cause of cracked heels, is washing the animal's legs 

 every time he comes in, and neglecting to dry them, as a 

 result of which, inflammation, after congestion, is quickly pro- 

 duced, and an erythematous condition of the limb is set up. 

 The condition may also be brought about by the injudicious 

 use of vesicants ; or, in fact, may be produced by any irritant 

 substance whatever. Cracked heels is a condition rarely seen 

 amongcavalry or artillery horses, asthey are properly cared for. 



Syin2?toms. — Usually the first symptom noticed is a 

 slightly reddened appearance of the heel ; this is soon 

 followed by the appearance of cracks or fissures, which 

 usually extend transversely. If in the fore limbs he Avill 

 be very stifle in his action, until the blood oi>zes out, or he 

 becomes w^armed up, when the stiffness will disappear. 

 Stiffness in a less desjree is observed when the hind limbs 

 are affected. The affected limb sometimes presents a 

 slightly oedematous condition, extending in some cases as 

 high as the hock. 



Treatment. — A thorough examination should be made in 

 every instance, so as to ascertain as nearly as possible the 

 exact condition of the parts ; also endeavour to discover 

 the exciting cause, and, having found it, its removal should 

 be effected if possible. The animal is to be placed in a 

 comfortable loose-box, and be allowed to rest while under- 

 going treatment. In many cases a brisk cathartic is of 

 great service, more particularly if the patient is in a plethoric 



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