32 THE COMPLETE FARRIER, 



The Molten Grease. 



This is so common a disorder, that it ought to be well un- 

 derstood ; but, alas ! like many others, it is often mistaken 

 for something else. This disease is a melting down of the 

 fat of the horse's body, caused by violent exercise in very 

 hot weather ; or if the horse be full of flesh, it may happen 

 in cold weather. Hard riding, or sudden colds, will bring 

 on this disorder. 



Symptoms. — It is always attended with a fever, heat, rest- 

 lessness, starting and trembling, inward sickness and short- 

 ness of breath. Also the horse's dung is extremely greasy, 

 and he often falls into a scouring. His blood, when cold, is 

 covered with a thick scum of fat, of a white or yellow color, 

 but generally the latter. The congealed part, or sediment 

 appears like a mixture of size and grease, and is so extremely 

 slippery that it will not adhere to the fingers ; and the small 

 proportion of serum is also slippery and clammy. The horse 

 soon loses his flesh and fat, the latter being probably dis- 

 solved into the blood. Such as have suflicient strength to 

 sustain the first shock, commonly become hidebound, and 

 their legs swell greatly ; and in this state they continue till 

 the blood and juices are rectified ; and if that is not done 

 effectually, the Farcy, or an obstinate Surfeit, is generally 

 the consequence, which can not be removed but with the 

 utmost difficulty. 



Cure. — In the first place bleed pretty plentifully, and repeat 

 the operation two or three days successively ; but take care 

 that you take only a small quantity at a time after the first 

 bleeding, as otherwise the creature would be rendered too 

 weak to support himself, and his blood too poor to be easily 

 recruited. As soon as he has been bled the first time, let 

 two or three rowels be put in, and the emollient clysters 

 prescribed for Fevers be thrown up daily, to mitigate the 

 fever, and to cleanse the intestines from the greasy matter. 

 At the same time plenty of water-gruel should be given, and 

 Bometimes a small quantity of water, with a little nitre dis- 

 solved in it. The latter will be of great service, as it will 

 prevent the blood from running into grumous concretions, 

 and proving the source of innumerable disorders, if not 

 causing a total stagnation, and consequently the death of the 

 animal. 



The horse must be treated in this manner till the fever be 

 entirely gone, and he shall have recovered his appetite ; 

 and then it will be necessary to give him three or four 

 purges, a week distant from each other, which will make 



