94 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



mind that all caustics are to be used carefully, or consider- 

 able damage may result. I might mention that yeast poul- 

 tices are useful in grease ; and while in some cases removal 

 of the shoes is to be recommended, in other cases, where 

 there are pretty large cracks, it is good practice to put on 

 high-heeled shoes to remove the strain from the cracks. A 

 run at pasture is also beneficial. 



Malignant Boils. — This is a condition that resembles 

 grease very much ; but I consider that it differs materially 

 from grease. I have never heard of a name for the con- 

 dition, but I will call it malignant boils. It attacks the 

 heels and fetlock, gradually extending to, and involving the 

 deeper structures of the foot, and even the laminae, and 

 soon the whole of the tissues in the vicinity take on a 

 semi-gangrenous state, and people have suffered severely 

 from blood-j)oisoning by coming into contact with an 

 affected animal, or getting some of the purulent matter in 

 a sore or other wound. The disease may be closely allied 

 to what is known as ' furunculus,' due to exposure and 

 some other causes. In some cases I think the bone may 

 be affected. The whole of the sensitive structures are 

 affected, and can easily be separated. Pyrexia and 

 anorexia are well marked. Death may result quickly, or 

 the animal may survive, in which case there is a thickened 

 condition of the limb. 



Treatment. — Give sodium hyposulphite and other anti- 

 septics internally ; use disinfectants, antiseptics, jDOultices, 

 fomentations, astringents, etc., externally ; give good food, 

 tonics, etc. (Smith). 



Ecthema. — This condition is an eruptive pustular disease, 

 and is sometimes called the American skin disease of horses. 

 It has within the last few years made its appearance in 

 England. English veterinarians claim that the disease was 

 carried to England by American horses, and it has been 



