GREASE. 511 



grease, graped heels, &c., are apt to be considered as dis- 

 tinct diseases : but the causes producing any one of them, 

 may produce the others, and the treatment of all must be 

 grounded on the same principles : nevertheless, for sim- 

 plicity of reference we shall consider these several states 

 separately, still blending the character of the specific afTec- 

 tion and the treatment. Swelled legs without discharge 

 have been already fully considered. 



Of Cracks. — At first there will be simply heat and itching 

 in the part ; the horse will be observed to rub one leg 

 against the other, and sometimes to stamp with his foot, 

 the whole surface appearing more red than before. If this 

 state be not attended to, there succeeds an oozing out of 

 an ichorous discharge from a kind of crack, of which there 

 are sometimes several. Occasionally the suppurative pro- 

 cess follows the inflammatory action, so that purulent 

 matter appears to flow from the first; but, if suffered to 

 proceed, pus always makes its appearance. In this early 

 state of tumid, itching, scurfy heels, frequently little more 

 is necessary than the application of the chloride of zinc 

 lotion, a scruple to the pint of liquid ; having first well 

 cleansed the legs with soap and water, and well dried them 

 afterwards, removing as much of the cuticular eruption as 

 possible. When the case has proceeded to form cracks, it 

 will be advisable to attempt the stoppage of the discharge 

 by frequent washings of the same solutions before recom- 

 mended ; how^ever, taking care that all the hair be clipped 

 from the heels, so that the lotion may reach the skin. If 

 with an inflammatory state there is an ichorous discharge, 

 and an ulcerative process fully established, the part showing 

 much virulence and tenderness, the cracks must be carefully 

 washed with warm water, and thoroughly dried, whenever 

 the horse returns from exercise ; after which, bathe with 

 any mild astringent lotion, as the following : — 



Chloride of zinc two scruples. 



Laudanum two ounces. 



Water a pint. 



This should be well applied, at least three times daily, at 

 most six times in tw^enty-four hours. 



Sometimes the irritability of the parts requires the appli- 

 cation of a poultice previously to the use of the wash. 



