192 GEEASE — CHAPPED HEELS. 



GEEASE— CHAPPED HEELS. 



A different name is required for tlie present disease. The 

 malady is called Grease simply because, during its existence, a 

 greasy substance is secreted, or rather excreted from the 

 sebaceous glands of the heels. 



The name of a disease should be as expressive as possible 

 of the entire phenomena, not only of the malady, but also of 

 the nature of the structures involved. 



One of the most disgusting forms which Grrease is capable 

 of manifesting is now rarely seen. I allude to what Mr. 

 Percival denominates its " grapy" condition. 



Grease may present itself under three well marked forms 

 or states, which are bub successive stages of the same disease, 

 viz. : — The simple, tlie ulcerative, and tlie grapy forms. This is 

 Mr. Percival' s division of the malady, and, upon the whole, it 

 is a good one. It possesses the recommendation of being both 

 a simple and natural arrangement. ■ 



Chapped Heels. — Chapped Heels may be regarded as 

 Grease in its most ordinary form. It is a very common malady, 

 and one with which most horsemen of experience are familiar. 

 It prevails the most during the autumn and winter months. It 

 sometimes confines itself to the hind limbs, at other times to 

 the fore limbs, and on some occasions it is observed in the heels 

 of all the extremities at the same time. 



During the autumn and the commencement of winter, 

 horses undergo a change in their coats, which is also attended 

 with a state of general debility ; and while the organism is 

 thus unfavourably circumstanced, cracked heels are no un- 

 common accompaniment. 



Symptoms. — The animal may be unwell for several days ; 

 he may refuse his food ; the hair over the surface of the body 

 will look dry, be harsh to the touch, and present altogetlier an 



