SOME SKIN AFFECTIONS 211 



to its recurrence. Repeated injury leads to thickening 

 of the skin and sometimes to the formation of an abnormal 

 growth or tumour in the area imphcated. As already- 

 stated, the most trivial injury should always receive atten- 

 tion, thereby saving a great deal of annoyance. When the 

 skin has been nipped or bruised or abraded, a lead lotion 

 constitutes one of the most useful applications that can 

 be employed, but this, of course, is useless if the exciting 

 cause is not removed. Thirty grains of sugar of lead should 

 be added to a pint of water — distilled water for preference. 

 The shoulder should be bathed wdth this lotion several 

 times a day. A useful domestic application consists of half a 

 pint of vinegar and half a pint of water, apphed in a similar 

 manner. If the skin is very tender it is a good plan to 

 harden it by the application of methylated spirits of wine, 

 two or three times a day. All parts of the skin beneath 

 the harness sweat freely during work, and if the skin is 

 cooled too rapidly local congestion of it is liable to occur, 

 and in this manner saddle or collar gall may be initiated. 

 As a preventative, allow the collar or saddle to remain 

 on — say for half an hour — after the animal returns from 

 work. Concerning the advisability of leaving a patch of 

 hair, corresponding to the saddle, when the animal is 

 clipped, opinions are divided. The hair thus left must, 

 tp a large extent, regulate the rapid loss of heat and, by 

 logical reasoning, it should be a preventative of sore 

 back. There is one very common trouble arising through 

 a neglected injury to the skin beneath the saddle; 

 this is the so-called 



SiTFAST 



which is nothing but a dead portion of skin attached 

 to a living part, but which nature is apparently un- 

 able to cast off. The only treatment for an injury of 

 this kind comprises removal with the surgeon's knife, 

 consequently it is necessary to call in professional aid. 

 In every case it means three or four weeks' rest, but the 



