362 DISEASES OF HORSES AND CATTLE. 



small space and have it as soft as possible. Bathe 

 the legs twice a day with tannic acid half an ounce, 

 alcohol half a pint, water half a pint; mix. This will 

 stimulate and harden the skin. Use no splints or 

 bandages. The mare should get good oats twice a 

 day, and a bran mash, with a dessert-spoonful of 

 phosphate of calcium in it for a week or two. This 

 will enrich the milk with bone-producing material. 

 It is sometimes mixed with the milk and given to 

 the foal, but it is very apt to derange its stomach, 

 being so young. If the parts should become sore 

 apply a little of the following three times a day: 

 Oxide of zinc one ounce, glycerine two ounces, 

 sweet oil two ounces; mix. Shake up well before 

 applying. 



Swollen Joints. — In some colts at the time of 

 birth or soon after there are a number of soft puffs 

 form on the joints, especially on the knee joints 

 and stifle. They are soft to the touch, with no heat 

 or tenderness; they do not seem to cause any suf- 

 fering to the colt; it grows and runs about as if 

 nothing was the matter. It is caused by an in- 

 fusion of fluid in the bursae of the joint, and where 

 tendons play, and as the animal grows, in the ma- 

 jority of cases, it will disappear without any treat- 

 ment. If it does not, rub the parts once a week 

 with biniodide of mercury one part, lard twelve 

 parts. 



Rheumatism. — It is a common occurrence to 

 find colts from two weeks to two months old suf- 

 fering from rheumatism of the joints, causing 

 lameness, fever, great weakness, often resulting in 



