112 THE HORSE. 



smelling greasy discharge from the skin, and in inflammation 

 of the latter. Some cart horses are constitutionally predis- 

 posed to contract this complaint. Want of cleanliness, 

 diily bedding, and wet are usually the exciting causes. If the 

 complaint is of a bad nature, the hair, if long, should be 

 clipped off, and the legs frequently fomented with warm 

 water, while linseed-meal poultices should also be applied to 

 them ; this treatment to be continued for two days. Then, a 

 lotion as follows must be applied twice a day, until a cure is 

 effected. Lotion — one part sulphate of zinc, one part lead 

 acetate, and fifteen parts water; apply with rag or bit of 

 sponge. If this lotion is ineffectual, the following should be 

 used : one ounce of copper sulpliate dissolved in one pint of 

 water ; to be applied once a day. In lighter cases, the foment- 

 ing and poulticing is unnecessary, and the first-mentioned 

 lotion should bo applied; or^ instead a lotion composed 

 of one part creolin and six parts water can be used. 

 The bedding must be kept dry and clean. Exercise is required, 

 but the horse should be kept on dry ground. Cleanliness in 

 the stable and good grooming will lielp to prevent grease to a 

 great extent. 



Cracked Heels. — This complaint chiefly occurs in light 

 horses, and consists in an inflamed and sore condition of the 

 skin in the hollow of the heels, while the skin is also more or 

 less cracked. A little lameness or stiffness of action may be 

 present. The complaint is most common in the winter season, 

 its causes being wet and cold, as also dirty litter. In mild 

 cases, the frequent application of lanoline or of oxide of zinc, 

 or of a lotion composed of two parts sweet oil and one part 

 Goulard's extract, is sufficient treatment ; the heels must also 

 be kept dry, being dried when the horse returns from work. 

 In bad cases, fomenting and poulticing for two days, coupled 

 with rest, should precede the application of one of the last- 

 named two remedies. 



Sprains. — Sprains to the back tendons and the suspen- 

 sory ligaments of the fore legs occur pretty frequently in 



