2 7Q . THE FARM DOCTOR. 



notice of its inflammatory condition seems demanded. Thfi 

 causes are a lymphatic constitution, with a tendency to stocking 

 of the legs;, a weak circulation, diseased heart,, liver, or kidneys, 

 with swelled legs; washing the heels with caustic soap; leaving 

 them wet and muddy when put in the stall; currents of cool 

 air striking on the heels; irritant fumes from accumulated dung 

 and urine ; soaking of the. heels in putrid pools in the straw- 

 yard ; standing in snow, or in the slush of melting snow ; and 

 besides, any of the .constitutional causes of other skin diseases. 

 To these might be added horse-pox, foot-fnange, and an eruption 

 associated with a vegetable parasite, but we must leave these to 

 be considered with specific and parasitic diseases. 



Symptoms. — We find all grades of inflammation in the heel; 

 \st. Simple swelHng with dry heat, tenderness, and great lame- 

 ness from inability to stretch the skin and bring the .heel to the 

 ground; 2d. Transverse cracks or chaps more or less extensive; 

 id. A pinkish-white fcetid discharge from the surface, with 

 oftentimes some moderation of the lameness; ^th. The erup- 

 tion of pustules of variable size; t^th. The formation of fungous 

 growths (grapes), over the affected surface, of a size from a pea 

 to a cherry, red, angry, and covered with a foetid discliarge. 

 This last form often invades the frog, constituting canker. The 

 same occurs in sheep as the result of long continued irritation 

 to the skin of the coronet, and is tlie worst form of non-con- 

 tagious foot-7-ot ; 6th. A sixth form of the affection (scratches) 

 is much more common in light American horse, exposed in 

 the deep mud of spring, and consists in minute excoriations, 

 becoming covered with thin scabs which remain tender ana 

 troublesome for an indefinite length of time. 



Treatment. — The prime essential is to avoid the cause, 

 Avhether exposure to filth, cold, wet, local irritants, low con- 

 dition, or disorder of some internal organ or function. If the 

 inllnmmation runs high a cooling laxative (Glauber salts. aloe.«^ 

 and mild diuretics (nitre, iodide of potassium) should be given, 



