DROrSY.J 



THE HOESE, AND 



[swelled legs. 



"Water farcy is described as a species of 

 dropsy, rising from a serous fluid being spread 

 between the skin and flesh ; or, ratlier, it is a 

 general collection of lymph in the cellular sys- 

 tem. It shows itself first by a swelling under 

 the horse's belly. This tumefaction is soft and 

 inelastic, and when pressed upon by the finger, 

 retains its mark for some time. By degrees it 

 ascends and occupies the trunk of the body and 

 the neck ; even the eyelids, face, and nostrils 

 appear bloated ; the lips are much swollen ; also 

 the legs and the sheath become greatly en- 

 larc^ed. When the disease arrives to this pitch, 

 breathing becomes difficult, the urine small in 

 quantities, and dark coloured ; the bow^els are 

 costive, and perspiration much obstructed. A 

 remarkable thirst, attended with emaciation of 

 the whole body, takes place ; and to these symp- 

 toms may be added, a dull heavy appearance, 

 and sometimes a cough. 



In some cases the watar oozes out through 

 the pores of the skin ; and the hair, which is, 

 during the spring and the fall, rather longer 

 than at other periods, becomes covered with 

 the fluid thus effused. 



This disease may be brought on by all the 

 causes which produce the last-named ; but 

 here we should say that debility is the chief 

 cause. It is very frequent in the spring and 

 the fall of the year, when horses are weak from 

 moulting. "When the disease is partial, it is 

 not so difficult to cure as when it has become 

 general. In treating for it, we must proceed 

 to rouse the system by giving tonics, the most 

 successful of which will be found in the follow- 

 iAg:— 



Mix, and form into a mass with soft soap 



Divide into twenty-four balls, and give one 

 every morning. 



If the swellings bave become considerable, 

 puncture them with a middle-sized phleme, or 

 lancet, in several places, and allow the fluid to 

 evacuate. 



Great care must be taken to keep the 

 horse warm. He must be clothed well, and 

 well dressed morning and night; by which 

 238 



means tbe exhalants of the skin will be opened, 

 and the animal greatly relieved. Attention 

 must also be paid to hia feeding, and the most 

 nutritious kinds of food given him ; oats, with 

 beans, malt, and occasionally a few carrots. 

 When the weather will permit, let him have 

 exercise, with his clothing on. This will de- 

 termine blood to the skin, and give him great 

 relief; always remembering to put on him, after 

 he has been dressed, a dry cloth. Do not for- 

 get to bandage his legs well with new flannel 

 bandages. If he should not be in the debili- 

 tated state described, give him, in addi- 

 tion to the medicine prescribed, two or three 

 times a week, at night-time — ■ 



Aloes, Cape . . . .12 drachms. 



Nitre 12 do. 



llesin 12 do. 



Mix, and divide into six balls. 



SWELLED LEGS. 



Swelled legs is a very prevalent disease of 

 the horse, principally affecting the hind, or 

 only one of the hind legs, although the fore 

 are not exempt from the affection. It arises 

 from various causes ; but the one we have now 

 to speak of, is occasioned by a deposition of 

 fluid in the cellular membrane of the limbs — 

 commonly in their lower parts, below the 

 knee to the hoof. If the disease is suffered to 

 increase, the skin cracks, and ultimately dis- 

 charges pus, and then the complaint falls 

 under the head " Grease," which is treated of 

 in its proper place. 



Swelled legs may be brought on by poverty, 

 or wet straw-yards, especially where the animal 

 has not been fed well, but kept on the out- 

 sides of hay-stacks, or that musty bad hay 

 with which the farmer can do nothing else. 



The complaint may supervene on other long- 

 protracted diseases, and any of the above causes 

 may produce it. Bad grooming will also bring 

 it on ; and the disease is very painful, and at 

 times occasions lameness, and gives a great 

 deal of trouble. 



In all the foregoing stages, it is not difficult 

 to restore the patient ; for it is evident that the 

 disease has arisen from the debility of the 

 absorbents to take up the eff'used fluid, and 

 return it into the system. In treating for it, 

 therefore, we must employ tonic medicines to 

 arouse them to a new action. Bleeding is not 



