DISEASES OF THE SKIN AND EARS. 221 



cracking or chapping, which it is very apt to do. Many 

 causes may operate to obstruct the flow of this oily fluid until 

 it ceases altogether. When this occurs, the skin becomes 

 dry and feverish, with a scurfy, red, and angry appearance. 

 Presently cracks begin to show themselves, from which the 

 long-pent-up oil secretions commence to run ; but instead of 

 being a soft, oily lubricator, it is now changed to a foul,'yel- 

 lowi^ water. If the disease is allowed to run on, the entire 

 heel is transformed into an ulcerated mass of fungous ex- 

 crescences. The flow of matter increases, and it becomes 

 more and more thick, sticky, and ofiensive. Such a develop- 

 ment marks the disease as entirely local, and originating in 

 entirely local causes. 



Cracked heels is not contagious, as many have supposed; 

 yet if one horse has it, the others in the same stable are very 

 likely to exhibit the same condition, sooner or later, because 

 the surroundings of all are nearly identical. Like causes 

 produce like efl:ects. A wet, foul stable, or muddy stable- 

 lot, will be as likely to give this disease to one horse as to 

 another. 



TREATMENT. 



As before intimated, the treatment necessary is similar to 

 that for scratches and thrush. The persevering use of the 

 corrosive linim.ent will cure this disease without fail, if ac- 

 companied by a reasonable degree of care and attention. 

 When the trouble is first discovered, a few applications will 

 be sufficient to remove it. But if the case is one of long 

 standing, it will prove extremely obstinate ; for, by this time, 

 not only will the heels have become badly cracked and a 

 fungous growth have made its appearance, but the general 

 health of the horse will have suffered materially. 



Bleeding will not be required unless the horse is thin in 

 flesh, and in a low state of health from the effects of the dis- 

 ease, in which case bleed once from the neck vein, taking 

 two quarts of blood. Give sulphur and resin every third 

 day, in the proportions of two of the former to one of the 



