SCRATCHES, OR GREASE. 183 



sumes a glazed appearance, is covered with pustules, cracks 

 open, and emits a thin, glairy discharge, which soon becomes 

 very offensive. In the last, worst, and incurable stage, the 

 leg, half-way to the hock, is covered with thick, horny scabs, 

 divided into lozenge-shaped lumps by deep cracks, whence 

 issues an extremely offensive matter. In this stage, the 

 disease is called "grapy heels," and is scarcely curable. 

 In the first stage, all that is necessary is frequent washing 

 with tepid water and Castile soap, and the application of a 

 flannel bandage, evenly applied over the whole limb, 

 moistened with warm water and allowed to dry on the 

 part. An ointment of one drachm of sugar of lead in an 

 ounce of lard, will supple, soften and relieve the parts. 

 The cracks may be washed with a solution of four ounces 

 of alum in a pint of water, which will in most cases suf- 

 fice. A dose of medicine is now desirable, for which the 

 horse should be well prepared by the administration of 

 bran-mashes, as before advised, for a couple of days ; after 

 which, a ball of four or five drachms of Barbadoes aloes 

 will suffice. An injection will not answer in this case, as 

 the object is, not to empty the bowels, but to cool the sys- 

 tem. The horse should be fed on mashes, carrots, and 

 green meat ; oats, Indian corn, and high food of all kinds, 

 are to be avoided as too heating. 



When the disease has reached the second stage, the 

 physicing must be persevered in for three doses, with the 

 regular intervals ; carrot poultices must be applied to the 

 heels. This is best done by drawing an old stocking, 

 minus the foot, over the horse's hoof, confining it around 

 the fetlock joint with a loose bandage, and filling it from 

 above with carrots, boiled and mashed into a soft pulp. 

 This mass should be applied tolerably hot, and repeated 

 daily for three days. When removed, the heels should be 

 anoint ^ 1 with an oititment of one part of rosin, three 



