92 THE PKACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



feet, and having large quantities of hair on their limbs. 

 The hind limbs are affected oftener than the fore limbs, and 

 such cases are perhaps more difficult to treat, on account of 

 the remote situation of the parts from the circulatory centre. 

 The exciting causes are — washing too frequently, or washing 

 the parts and not drying thoroughly afterwards. The most 

 common cause of 'grease,' however, is scratches, or, as it is 

 better called, 'cracked heels,' and the various causes which 

 operate in producing ' cracked heels ' also operate in pro- 

 ducing 'grease,' as the improper application of vesicants, etc. 



Symptoms. — There is more or less swelling of the parts. 

 This is speedily followed by a slight discharge. A redness 

 is also discernible. Soon the discharge becomes of a well- 

 marked oily character ; the hair comes out ; the skin 

 appears red and considerably inflamed. On first coming 

 out of the stable, the animal walks very gingerly, but 

 soon warms up and goes all right. After receiving exer- 

 cise, and being allowed to stand until cool, the swelling is 

 found to be greater than before, although exercise will 

 cause the limb to decrease in size for the time being. In 

 some cases the papillse become enlarged. This is known as 

 the 'grapous' stage. Usually at this stage there is a very 

 oftensive odour to be detected. Sometimes there is a well- 

 marked febrile disturbance, but not often. Grease, by 

 neglect or improper treatment, may terminate in a case of 

 elephantiasis. 



Treatment. — The treatment of grease consists of an en- 

 deavour to arrest the discharge and bring about a healthy 

 condition of the parts. It is a mistake to apply powerful 

 astringents without first acting upon the system ; so, after 

 proper preparation, a good purgative is to be administered. 

 The local treatment is also to be attended to. Clip the hair 

 from the parts if it is long, or if its removal be deemed necessary, 

 after which long-continued fomentations and cataplasms will 



