277 



666. Cracked Heels are also a form of eczema, and consist of 

 inflammation of the skin and sebaceous or oil glands in the hollow of 

 the heels, particularly those of the hind legs. The cause may be want 

 of condition, through feeding the animal on unseasoned hay or corn ; 

 washing and not drying the legs thoroughly ; clipping the hair out of 

 the hollow of the heels ; and standing in filthy stalls, or boxes. 

 Horses with white legs suffer most, possibly from the extra washing 

 that they require. Symptoms. — The animal is seen to go stiff and sore 

 on first leaving the stable ; it may even click up the affected leg like a 

 horse in string-halt, and go on the toe for a step or two, but generally 

 improves in action after going a short distance. The pastern joint is 

 found to be swollen and painful, and there is soon a breaking out in 

 the hollow of the heel, with a bloody discharge. Treatment. — Should 

 there be much pain and fever present, then the soda and aloes ball 

 (par. 661 ) should be given, and a poultice applied to the affected heel. 

 This latter can be most effectually accomplished by pulling a piece of 

 the leg of a pair of old trousers over the foot, securing it round the top 

 of the hoof by means of a strap ; next the hollow of the heel should be 

 filled in with bran and linseed meal, mixed with cold water to the 

 consistence of porridge, to which should be added a tablespoonful of 

 carbolic acid or phenyle ; then the bag should be fastened above the 

 pastern joint, with a bandage over all. After the inflammation is 

 reduced, the following lotion should be applied night and morning, 

 viz. : two drachms each of sugar of lead, and sulphate of zinc, mixed 

 in a quart of cold water. In chronic cases of cracked heels, when 

 there is little or no swelling present, dressing them with carbolized 

 zinc ointment usually sets things right in a short time ; they should 

 never be washed, or rubbed with a cloth ; and any mud on them 

 should be left until it dries, when it can be gently rubbed off with a 

 wisp of meadow hay. If neglected, cracked heels may ultimately 

 terminate in troublesome " grapey " heels, or " grapes " (par. 664). 



667. Mechanical Injuries to the Skin, such as chafing of the 

 shoulder and back from badly-fitting collars, or saddles, produce 

 respectively, sore shoulders and saddle-galls. These must hav« 

 immediate attention and their causes removed. The sores should be 



