ire THE HORSEi 



Horses tal<en from grass and brought into close stables very speedily 

 have swelled legs, because the difference of food, and increase of nutri- 

 ment, rapidly increase the quantity of the circulating fluid ; while the want 

 of exercise takes away the means by which it might be got rid of. The 

 remedy here needs not to be stated. Swelled legs, however, may proceed 

 from general debility ; they may be the consequence of starvation, or dis- 

 ease that has considerably weakened the animal ; and these parts, being 

 farthest from the centre of circulation, are the first to shew the loss of^ power 

 by the accumulation of fluid in them. Here the means of cure would be 

 to increase the general strength, with which the extremities would sym- 

 pathise, and mild diuretics and tonics are evidently indicated. 



Horses in the spring and fall are subject to swelled legs. The powers of 

 the constitution are principally employed in providing a new coat for the 

 animal, and the extremities have not their share of vital influence- 

 Mingled cordials and diuretics are indicated here — the diuretic to lessen 

 the quantity of the circulating flood, — the cordial to invigorate the 

 frame. 



Swelled legs are most teasing in horses that are in tolerable or good 

 health, but whose work is somewhat irregular. The pleasure-horse and the 

 hunter are the frequent subjects of this complaint. The cure is to give more 

 equable exercise; — to walk the horse out daily when the usual work is not 

 required, and by some mechanical means to supply to the extremities the 

 want of the motion of the parts, and the consequent urging on of the 

 return of the fluid. Friction by hand-rubbing is an excellent means of 

 fining the legs, at least for a time. Bandages have a greater and more du- 

 rable effect, for nothing tends more to support the capillary veins, and rouse 

 the action of the absorbents, than moderate pressure. Hay-bands will 

 form a very good bandage for the agricultural horse, and their effect will 

 probably be increased by previously dipping them in water. As to me- 

 dicines we have little to say : the fewer of them that are given in these 

 cases the better. The diuretic, or urine-ball, the constant resource of the 

 idle groom or carter, is particularly objectionable. Its frequent and undue 

 stimulus of the urinary organs will be followed by speedy, and often 

 incurable debility. If the swelling bids defiance to exercise and friction 

 and bandage, the aid of the diuretic may be resorted to, but never until 

 these have failed, unless there be an evident tendency to grease or 

 humour. 



GREASE. 



Swelled legs, although distinct from grease, are apt to degenerate into it. 

 This disease, therefore, comes next under our consideration. It is an in- 

 flammation of the skin of the heel, sometimes of the fore, but oftener of the 

 hind foot. It is not a contagious disease, although when it once appears 

 in a stable it frequently goes through it, for it is usually to be traced to 

 bad stable management. The skin of the heel of the horse somewhat 

 differs from that of any other part. There is a great deal of motion in the 

 fetlock, and to prevent the skin from excoriation or chapping, it is neces- 

 sary that it should be kept soft and pliable ; therefore, in the healthy state 

 of the part, the skin of the heel has a peculiar greasy feel. Under in- 

 flammation, the secretioii of this greasy matter is stopped-r-the heels be- 

 come red, dry, and scurfy ; and being almost constantly in motion, cracks 

 soon succeed: these sornetimes extend, and the whole surface of the 

 lieel becomes a mass of soreness, ulceration, and fungus. 

 The heel is subject to this virulent inflammation, on account of its situation, 



