DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 471 



way for an abscess, or for a chronic blemish, unless attended to very 

 promptly. Besides causing the animal considerable pain, chafing, if 

 long continued, leads to the formation of a callosity. This may be 

 superficial, involving onlj^ the skin, or it may be deep-seated, involv- 

 ing the subcutaneous fibrous tissue and sometimes the muscle and 

 even the bone. This causes a dry slough to form, which is both incon- 

 venient and unsightly. Sloughs of this kind are commonly called 

 "sitfasts" and, while thej^ occur in other places, are most frequently 

 found under the saddle. 



Treatment. — Abrasions are best prevented \>^ bringing the animal 

 gradually into working shape after it has had a prolonged rest, in 

 order that the muscles will be hard and the skin tough. The harness 

 should be well fitted, neither too large nor too small, and it should be 

 cleaned and oiled to remove all dirt and to make it soft and pliable. 

 Saddles should be properly fitted so as to prevent direct pressure on 

 the spine, and the saddle blankets should be clean and dry. Parts of 

 the horse where chafing is likely to occur," as on the back under the 

 saddle, should be cleaned and brushed free of dirt. 



The remedies for simple harness galls are numerous. Among them 

 may be mentioned alcohol, 1 pint, in which are well shaken the whites 

 of two eggs; a solution of nitrate of silver, 10 grains to the ounce of 

 water; sugar of lead or sulphate of zinc, 20 grains to an ounce of water; 

 carbolic acid, 1 part in 15 parts of glycerin, and so on almost with- 

 out end. Any simple astringent wash or powder will efl:ect a cure, 

 provided the sores are not irritated by friction. 



If a sitfast has developed, the dead hornlike slough must be care- 

 fully dissected out and the wound treated carefully with antiseptics. 

 During treatment it is always best to allow the animal to rest, but if 

 this is inconvenient care should be taken to prevent injury to the 

 abraded or wounded surface b}^ padding the harness so that chafing 

 can not occur. 



BURNS AXD SCALDS. 



These wounds of domestic animals are fortunatel}' of rare occur- 

 rence; however, when they do occur, if at all extensive, they prove 

 quite troublesome and in many cases are fatal. According to the 

 severity of the burn we distinguish three degrees: First degree, where 

 there is a simple reddening of the skin; second degree, where there is 

 a formation of vesicles, or blisters; third degree, where there is a com- 

 plete destruction of vitality of the tissues, such as would occur in 

 charring from direct contact with flames or from escaping steam. 

 Besides the burns caused by flames and steam, there are other causa- 

 tive agents, such as chemicals (caustic alkalis and acids), lightning 

 stroke, and occasionalh^ the broken trolley wires of electric railways. 

 When a large surface of the skin is burned or scalded, the animal (if 



