39-1 SWELLED LEGS. 



The cure, Avhcn tlie case has not beeu too long neglected, is sntticiently 

 plain. Physic or diuretics, or both, must be had recourse to. Mild cases 

 will generally yield to their influence ; but, if the animal has been neglected, 

 the treatment must be decisive. If the horse is in. high condition these 

 should be preceded or accompanied by bleeding ; but if there are any 

 symptoms of debility, bleeding would only increase the want of tone in the 

 vessels. Not unfrequently the cause of this complaint is a want of tono 

 in the absorbents, their action is sluggish and inert, the quantity of fluid 

 secreted is merely the usual one, but its removal is not in due proportion ; 

 in these cases, indicated by the absence of pain or tenderness, the combi- 

 nation of half a tonic and half a diuretic ball, given night and morning, 

 will effect an equalised action of the exhalant and absorbent vessels. In 

 all cases of enlarged leg, whether from undue action of the exhalant 

 vessels or defective action of the absorbents, on examining the inside of 

 tlie thigh, close up to the groin, the femoral vein will be found hard and 

 distended, or the cluster of absorbent vessels around will be rigid and 

 engorged ; the one or the other evidently overloaded and unable freely to 

 forward their contents. The application of a stimulus to this particular 

 part -will have a remarkably good effect. A teaspoonful of the tincture or 

 infusion of cantharides, carefully and gradually rubbed over a space of two 

 inches, will rouse the action of the vessels and give immediate reHef. 



Horses taken from grass and brought into close stables very speedily 

 have swelled legs, because the difference of food and increase of nutriment 

 rapidly increase the quantity of the circulating fluid, while the Avant of 

 exercise takes away the means by wdiich it might be got rid of. The 

 remedy here is sufficiently jDlain. Swelled legs, however, may proceed 

 from general debihty. They may be the consequence of starvation, or 

 disease that has considerably weakened the animal ; and these parts, being- 

 farthest from the centre of circulation, are the first to show the loss of 

 power by the accumvilation of fluid in tliem. Here the means of cure 

 would be to increase the general strength, with which the extremities 

 would s^axipathise. Mild diuretics and tonics would therefore be evidently 

 indicated. 



Horses in th.e spring and fall are subject to swelled legs. The powers 

 of the constitution are priacipally employed in providing a new coat for 

 the animal, and the extremities have not their share of vital influence. 

 Mingled coi'dials and diuretics are indicated here — the diuretic to lessen 

 the quantity of the circulating fluid, and the cordial to invigorate the 

 frame. 



Swelled legs are often teasing, in horses that are in tolerable or good 

 health : but where the work is somewhat irregular the cure consists in 

 giving more equable exercise, wallcing the horse out daily when the iisual 

 work is not required, and using plenty of friction in the form of hand- 

 rubbing. Bandages have a gi^eater and more durable effect, for nothing 

 tends more to support the capillary vessels, and rouse the action of the 

 absorbents, than moderate pressure. Haybands will form a good bandage 

 for the agricultural horse, and theii' effect will probably be increased by 

 previously dipping them in water. A loose box is an invaluable adjunct 

 in the treatment of these cases. 



