284 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



my reasoning has served to confirm. At the same time, 

 it is right we know French veterinarians entertain dif- 

 ferent notions. Hurtrel d'Arboval regards the hair bulbs 

 as the seat of grease; were that true, however, there is no 

 reason why the disease should not appear in other parts of 

 the skin. 



Symptoms. — When a horse is attacked, the first indica- 

 tion is filling of the hind legs : which, not being relieved, 

 discharges itself in drops of oily fluid, and the hairs appear 

 erect. The skin, as is perceptible in a white heel, exhibits 

 a blush of inflammation ; it feels hot, and has a loathsome 

 odour. Should any attempt be made to take up the foot, 

 the animal catches it off the ground, or manifests reluctance 

 to have it touched. The horse goes stiff on leaving the 

 stable ; but seldom at the early stage does much lameness 

 exist. From this time, however, the inflammation con- 

 tinuing to increase, the leg becomes so lame, that, from 

 fear of flexing the heel, the animal straddles; while the 

 surface has become exquisitely sensitive. Notwithstanding, 

 however, it causes much pain, continued exercise relieves the 

 anguish; for after walking for an hour the horse will step 

 out more boldly, and hardly limp. 



The next form grease assumes is the ulcerative. Either 

 from the irritation, or from tension and compression in the 

 motion of the limb, the skin splits or cracks, and ulcera- 

 tions quickly develop themselves. The discharge, which has 

 been growing thicker and more offensive, becomes converted 

 into one of a purulent nature. The disease will extend 

 around the sides of the pastern ; and over the fetlock, even 

 half way up the leg : the tumefaction keeping pace with the 

 ulceration. 



The inveterate form of grease is the grapy. The cracked 

 skin, still subjected to the aggravation of discharges of a 

 loathsome nature, now undergoes a change of structure, and 

 generates products of a morbid kind. With the thickening 

 of the skin, it secretes from the ulcerated surface, by a sort 

 of granulative process, albuminous matters, which, from their 

 globular form, and their appearance of clusters, have been 



