354 GREASE. 



GREASE. 



Grease is a specific inflammation of the sebaceous follicles of tlie skin 

 of the heels, sometimes of the fore feet, but oftener of the hind ones, 

 followed by an increased morbid secretion. 



There is a peculiarity about the skin of the heel of the horse. In its 

 healthy state there is a secretion of greasy matter from it, in order to 

 prevent excoriation and chapping, and the skin is soft and phable. Too 

 often, however, from bad management, the secretion of this gTcasy matter 

 is stopped or altered, and the skin of the heel becomes red, and dry, and 

 scurfy. The joint still continuing to be extended and flexed, cracks of the 

 skin- begin to appear, and these, if neglected, rapidly extend, and the heel 

 becomes a mass of soreness and ulceration. 



The distance of the heel from the centre of ci]"culation, and the position 

 of the hind limbs, render the return of blood slow and difiicult. There 

 is also more variation of temperature here than in any other part of the 

 frame. As the horse stands in the closed stable, the heat of this part is 

 too often increased by its being imbedded in straw. When the stable door 

 is open the heels are nearest to it, and receive first, and most powerfully, 

 the cold current of air. When he is taken from his stable to work, the 

 heels are frequently covered with mii-e and wet, and they are oftenest and 

 most intensely chilled by the long and slow process of evaporation which 

 is taking place from them. N"o one, then, can wonder at the frequency 

 mth which the heels, especially the hind ones, are attacked by inflamma- 

 tion, and the difiiculty there is in subduing it. 



Some horses are more subject to grease than others, especially draught 

 horses, both heavy and hght, but particularly the former, and if they have 

 no degree of breed in them. It was the experience of this which partly 

 contributed to the gradual change of coach and other draught horses to 

 those of a lighter breed. In the great majority of cases, gi'ease arises 

 from mismanagement and neglect. 



Everything that has a tendency to excite inflammation in the skin of 

 the heel is a cause of grease. Therefore want of exercise is a frequent source 

 of this disease. The fluid which accumulates about the extremities, and 

 is unable to return, is a soui^ce of irritation by its continued pressua-e. 

 Wlien high feeding is added to irregular or deficient exercise, the disease 

 is evidently still more likely to be produced. Want of cleanliness in the 

 stable is a fruitful source of grease. WTien the heels are imbedded in filth, 

 they are weakened by the constant moisture surrounding them — irritated 

 by the acrimony of the dung and the urine, and little prepared to endure 

 tl'ie cold evaporation to which they are exposed when the horse is taken 

 out of the stable. The absuj-d practice of washing the feet and legs of 

 horses when they come from their work, and either carelessly sponging 

 them down afterwards, or leaving them to dry as they may, is, however, 

 the most common origin of gi'ease. 



^'V^len the horse is warmed by his work, and the heels share in the 

 warmth, the momentary cold of washing may not be injurious, if the 

 animal is immediately rubbed dry; yet even this would be better avoided : 

 but to wash out the heels, and then leave them partially diy or perfectly 

 Avet, and suffering from the extreme cold that is produced by evaporation 

 from a moist and wet surfiice, is the most absurd, dangerous, and injurious 

 practice that can be imagined. It is worse when the post-horse or the 

 plough-horse is plunged up to his belly in the river or pond, imme- 

 diately after liis work. The oAvner is little aware how many cases of 

 inflammation of the lungs, and bowels, and feet and heels follow. It 



