SOME SKIN AFFECTIONS 213 



part, the best plan is to leave the mud to dry on and brush 

 if off on the following morning. Cracked heels have 

 already been referred to under the heading of " Saddle 

 and Collar Galls," where they are described as " rope 

 gall '' (which see). The skin at the heels is very rich in 

 sebaceous glands, the functions of which are to secrete 

 an oily fluid for the special lubrication of the heels and 

 to prevent the skin from being too much wetted with 

 water, snow, etc. Cracked heel varies in its severity. 

 Sometimes it consists merely of a superficial inflammation, 

 whilst at others it is in the form of one or more deep 

 fissures, and these are extremely painful. Very often 

 the part suppurates, the result of infection by pus organ- 

 isms. Whenever the heels are washed, they must be 

 properly dried afterwards, and if necessary, bandaged. 

 In some cases the author is inclined to believe that the 

 trouble arises through a draught from the bottom of the 

 door playing on the heels, more especially after the animal 

 comes in from work. In winter, more especially when the 

 thaw sets in, it is a good plan to grease the hollows of the 

 heels freely with som.e lubricant, such as vaseline or lard. 

 This is a preventative. Mild cases can be cured by the 

 application of a cream composed of prepared chalk and 

 lime-water. If the heels are badly cracked, smear them 

 with an ointment composed of equal parts of vaseline and 

 mild mercurial ointment. In the treatment of cracked 

 heel one can only deal successfully with it by noting 

 whether the skin is dry or moist. If moist, drying agents 

 are indicated, whereas if dry, an oily dressing usually 

 proves the most beneficial. 



Grease (Seborrhcea) 



This is a very common disease of the skin and is one 

 that affects the skin between the knee and pastern or hock 

 and the last-named. It is a most objectionable trouble, 

 and the smell arising is of a very disgusting nature ; in 



