THE HOESE AND ITS DISEASES. 157 



Swelled Legs. 



Both the fore and hind legs of horses are liable to 

 considerable swelling, but the latter are most subject to be 

 thus affected. Prequently when a horse seems to be affec- 

 ted with no other disease, the hind legs will suddenly 

 swell to a great extent from the hock to the fetlock, 

 and in some instances, even from the stifle downwards ; 

 this is accompanied with heat, and extreme tenderness 

 of the skin, inducing lameness of a peculiar character ; 

 a quickened and hard pulse are usual concomitants of 

 this seizure, with a considerable degree of fever. This 

 complaint is acute inflammation of the cellular substance 

 of the limbs, being sudden in its attack, very violent in 

 its degree, and consequently attended with the secretion 

 of a quantity of fluid on the cellular tissue. Young 

 horses, and those which are over-fed, with little exercise, 

 are most liable to be thus attacked. Horses may also 

 have swelled legs from general debility ; the limbs being 

 most remote from the centre of circulation, first exhibit 

 loss of power, and this is manifested by swelling, in 

 consequence of the accumulation of fluids in them. 



Cure — If accompanied by fever, take 4 quarts of blood 

 away, after which the following diuretic should be 

 given : — 



Eesin 3 drachms. 



Turpentine 4 ,, 



Ginger 1 ,, 



Linseed Meal 4 ,, 



Made into a ball. 



Four hours afterwards, give the following purgative 

 in the form of a ball : — 



Barbadoes Aloes 6 drachms. 



Calomel 1 ,, 



Oil of Caraways 10 drops. . 



Castile Soap 1 drachm. 



Also tdse fomentation. 



