437 



partial freeziuy of a part will give rise to a severe reaction and con- 

 gestion. Where snowy or icy streets have been salted this may 

 extend to severe inflammation with vesicles, pustules, or even sloughs 

 of circumscribed portions of the skin of the pastern (chiU-blain, frost- 

 bite). Heat and burning has a similar effect, and this often 'comes 

 from exposure to the direct rays of the sun. The skin that does not 

 perspire is the most subject, and hence the white face or ivJiite limb 

 of a horse becoming dried by the intensity of the sun's rays often 

 suffers to the exclusion of the rest of the body {wJiite face and foot 

 disease). The febrile state of the general system is also a potent 

 cause, hence the white-skinned horse is rendered the more liable if 

 kept on a heating ration of huckiclieat, or even of iclieat or maize. 

 Contact of the skin with oil of turpentine or other essential oils, wTth 

 trrdant liquids, vegetable or mineral, with rancid fats, with the acrid 

 secretions of certain animals like the irritcded toad, with pus, sweat, 

 tears, urine or liquid fceces, will produce congestion or even 'inflam- 

 mation. Chafing is a common cause, and is especially liable to affect 

 the fat horse between the thighs, by the side of the sheath or scrotum, 

 on the inner side of the elbow, or where the harness chafes on the 

 poll, shoulder, back, breastbone, and under the tail. The accumula- 

 tion of sweat and dust between the folds of the skin and on the sur- 

 face of the harness, and the specially acrid character of the sweat in 

 certain horses contribute to chafing or ' ' intertrigo. " The heels often 

 become congested, owing to the irritation caused by the short bristly 

 hairs in clipped heels. Again, congestion may occur from friction by 

 halter, harness, or other foreign body under the pastern, or inside 

 the thigh or arm, or by reason of blows from another foot (cuttino- 

 interfering, overreach). Finally, erythema is especially liable to 

 occur in spring when the coat is being shed, and the hair follicles 

 and general surface are exposed and irritable in connection with the 

 dropping of the hairs. 



If due only to a local irritant congestion will usually disappear 

 when such cause has been removed, but when the feeding or system 

 IS at fault these conditions must be first corrected. While the coat is 

 being shed the susceptibility will continue, and the aim should be to 

 prevent the disease developing and advancing so as to weaken the 

 skm, render the susceptibility permanent, and lay the foundation of 

 persistent or frequently recurring skin disease. Hence at such times 

 the diet should be nonstimulating; any excess of grain and above 

 all of buckwheat, Indian corn, or wheat being avoided A laro-e 

 gram ration should not be given at once on return from hard work 

 when the general system and stomach are unable to cope with it; the 

 animal should not be given more than a swallow or two of cold water 

 when perspiring and fatigued; nor should he be allowed a full sup- 

 ply of Avater just after his grain ration; he should not be overheated 

 nor exhausted by work, nor should dried sweat and dust be allowed 



