allowance of oats. Internally, one ounce of bicarbonate of potassium may 

 be given twice daily in the drinking water, and if the case be a 

 severe one, two drachms of Fowler's solution may be given with it, in 

 addition. The rugs, if woollen' ones, should be changed and cotton rugs 

 should be substituted, as woollen fabrics increase the irritation of the skin, 

 and annoy the animal greatly. It is well to leave a piece of rock salt in the 

 manger in cases of eczema, as it often has a very beneficial effect. 



Finally, with regard to local applications for the affected parts, we 

 believe the compound ointment of petroleum to be as good as any. The 

 formula is of vaseline four ounces, of white precipitate of mercury four 

 drachms, of liquor carbonis delergens four drachms. This ointment may be 

 applied twice daily, and need not be rubbed off. The liniment of lead with 

 oil is also a good application. It is made of half an ounce of solution of 

 subacetate of lead mixed with four ounces of olive oil. When the itching is 

 very troublesome, the parts may be dressed with a lotion made of four 

 drachms of diluted prussic acid, two ounces of glycerine, and eight ounces of 

 water. 



CRACKED HEELS. 



By cracked heels we understand a condition of the heels characterised by 

 heat, tenderness, and little cracks, from which a serous fluid oozes. This 

 affection is not usually attended by lameness, but when very pronounced, 

 the animal not unfrequently is decidedly lame. Among the chief causes of 

 this irritable, inflammatory, and painful state of the skin, which is more 

 commonly encountered in thoroughbreds and hunters, are cold and dietetic 

 errors. Cold or chill of this part of the skin, which is often only sparsely 

 covered with haii", is sometimes caught while the animal is exposed for a long 

 time in boisterous weather ; but is more commonly due to the practice of 

 washing the legs after a day's work, and then not thoroughly drying them. 

 Almost all the cases which have come under our notice are due to this 

 avoidable source of error. It has been said that cracked heels are more 

 likely to follow the use of hot than that of tepid or cold water, and this we 

 believe to be true. 



The practice of washing horses' legs with hot water after the day's work 

 is over, is a favourite one among grooms, though it is rather frequently 

 attended by evil effects. It may, however, be pointed out that if the parts 

 were thoroughly dried after being washed, this would not be the case. We 

 may also add, that a little simple ointment of vaseline, or of two parts of 

 vaseline to one of glycerine, will prove beneficial in preventing this inflamed 

 condition of the skin of the heels. Brushing and rubbing the legs is all that 

 is necessary in order to clean them, and when the feet and legs are wet they 

 should be thoroughly dried. If covered with mud, this should be allowed to 

 dry on them, and brushed off next morning when dry. 



Regarding errors in diet as a cause of cracked heels, we may mention 

 that this condition not unfrequently follows the use of bad hay and mouldy 



