240 DISEASES OP THE HORSE. 



gradually thickened, and sometimes large excrescences, deno- 

 minated from their appearance grapes, thickly cover the skin. 

 Sometimes abscesses form about the heels, and large portions of 

 the heels slough away. 



Treatment. — The constitutional treatment of grease is similar 

 to that recommended for oedematous legs, regulated, of course, 

 by the age and condition of the anim;d. Our local treatment 

 is, however, a matter of much importance likewise, as it is in- 

 cumbent on us to cure the disease, if possible, without rendering 

 the predisposition of the horse to become affected greater than 

 before. The parts should first be well fomented and cleaned ; 

 and the hair being carefidly cut away from the neighbourhood, 

 we should then apply a linseed poultice to the heels, in which a 

 little solution of sulphate of zinc has been mixed. This will be 

 found a convenient method of applying the astringent, and, at 

 the same time, the inflammation of the heels will be lessened. 

 In the course of a few days it will be proper to discontinue the 

 poultices, and to apply the astringent lotion alone. If the dis- 

 charge should be unusually offensive, a little solution of the 

 chloride of lime will be found a useful adjunct to the poultice. 



When the excrescences called grapes have formed, the only 

 method of removing them is by casting the horse, and cutting 

 them off, and ajjplying a caustic to the surface afterwards. This 

 operation, however, should not be practised if the legs are con- 

 siderably enlarged, and have been so for some time, nor if the 

 grapes are so thick as to occupy nearly the whole of the surface, 

 so as to leave little or no sound skin between them. — Ed.] 



Bursautee. 



[There is a disease peculiar to India somewhat resembling 

 those treated of in this chapter: it is thus described in the ele- 

 venth volume of the Veterinarian, by Mr. Armstrong : — 



" The disease ' Bursautee ' is most prevalent in July, Au- 

 gust, and September, which are the wet months ; and thence it 

 derives its name, ' a disease peculiar to the rains.' 



" Horses of every breed, age, and condition, are subject to 

 the bursautee ; but the second generation of imported horses 

 are most liable to it. I attribute this to the effect which climate 

 has in weakening the constitution of the horse ; and the same 

 thing applies to all animals imported into that country from a 

 more ijenial temperature. 



" The second generation is still worse than the first. 



" Nature and Causes. — I trace this disease to the change 

 which the atmospheric air undergoes at this season of the year. 

 During the three previous months the hot winds prevail. 



" An animal exposed to the parching influence of this air is, 



