4:92 THE HORSE. 



serviceable. Physic rarely does good, but alteratives composed 

 of nitre, black antimony, and sulphur, will be very beneficial. 

 Mange is a disease of a different character ; it is the curse of the 

 stable into which it enters, for it will almost certainly affect every 

 horse. Thorough dressings with Barbadoes tar and linseed-oil,- 

 in the proportion of one of the former to three of the latter, will 

 be the most effectual external application, while alteratives and 

 physic should be given internally. Hide-bound is a very appro- 

 priate term for the peculiar sticking of the hide to the ribs when 

 a horse is out of condition. The subcutaneous adipose matter 

 is all absorbed. The alterative above recommended will be very 

 useful here. 



The legs, and the hind ones more than the fore ones, are 

 subject to frequent, and great, and obstinate swellings, attended 

 with great pain and considerable fever. It is acute inflamma- 

 tion of the cellular substance of the legs. Physic and diuretics, 

 and tonics if there is the slightest appearance of debility, are the 

 proper means of cure. Friction and bandages will also be use- 

 ful occasionally. There are two causes, diametrically opposed to 

 each other, which occasion the legs to swell ; an inspissated or 

 plethoric condition of the blood ; the other, debility of the sys- 

 tem. The remedy must depend on the cause ; in the first case, 

 moderate doses of physic, combined with diuretics, according to 

 a formula given at the conclusion ; in the other case, tonics, 

 with good keep, are necessary. 



Gkease is an undue secretion of the fluid which was designed 

 to lubricate the skin of the heels ; and that secretion is also 

 altered in quality. The hind legs begin to swell — a fluid exudes 

 from the heels — the hairs of the heels become erect like so 

 many bristles, and the skin of the heel is hot and gi-easy. Soon 

 afterwards cracks appear across the heel ; they discharge a thick 

 and offensive matter, and then deepen. They spread up the leg, 

 and so does the tumefaction of the part. In process of time the 

 skin, inflamed and ulcerated, undergoes an alteration of struc- 

 ture ; prominences or granulations appear on it, assuming the 

 appearance of a collection of grapes, or the skin of a pine-apple. 

 They increase, and a fetid discharge appears from the crevices 

 between them. 



The cause is generally neglect of the horse. He is suffered 



