445 



with a layer of collodion, and repeating the applications every twenty- 

 fonr hours for fifteen days, or until the sores heal up. Ether or chlo- 

 roform may be used in place of iodoform, being poured on cotton wool 

 and applied to the sore for two minutes before painting it Avith 

 collodion. 



CRACKED HEELS— SCRATCHES— CHAPS ON KNEE AND HOCK. 



This usually sets in with swelling, heat, and tenderness of the hollow 

 of the heel, Avith erections of the hairs and redness (in white skins), 

 with stiffness and lameness, Avhich may be extreme in irritable horses! 

 Soon slight cracks appear transversely, and may gain in depth and 

 width, and may even suppurate. More frequently tliey become cov- 

 ered at the edges or throughout by firm incrustations resulting from 

 the drying of the liquids thrown out, and the skin becomes increas- 

 ingly thick and rigid. A similar condition occurs behind the knee 

 and in front of the hock (malanders and salanders), and may extend 

 from these points to the hoof, virtually incasing that side of the limb 

 in a permanent incrusting sheath. Besides a heavy Ij-mphatic con- 

 stitution, which predisposes to this affection, the causes are overfeed- 

 ing on grain, unwholesome fodder, close, hot, dirty stables, constant 

 contact Avith dung and urine and their emanations, AA-orking in deep, 

 irritant mud; above all, in limestone districts, irritation by dry lime- 

 stone or sandy dust in dry Aveather on dirt road, also cold draughts, 

 snoAv and freezing mud, Avashing the legs Avith caustic soap, Avrapping 

 the wet legs in thick Avoolen bandages Avhieh soak the skin and render 

 it sensitiA-e Avhen exposed next day, clipping the heels, Aveak heart and 

 circulation, natural or superA'ening on overwork, imperfect nourish- 

 ment, impure air, lack of sunshine, chronic, exhausting, or debilitating 

 diseases, or functional or structural diseases of the heart, liA^er, or 

 kidneys. These last induce dropsical sAvelling of the limbs (stocking) , 

 Aveaken the parts, and induce cracking. Finally the cicatrix of' a 

 preexisting crack, weak, rigid, and unyielding, is liable to reopen 

 under any severe exertion, hence rapid paces and heavy draft are 

 acti\'e causes. 



In treatment the first step is to ascertain and remove the cause Avhen- 

 ever possible. If there is much local heat and inflammation a laxative 

 (5 drams aloes, or 1 pound Glauber salts) may be given, and for the 

 pampered animal the grain should be reduced or replaced altogether 

 by bran mashes, flaxseed, and other laxative, nonstimulating food. 

 In the debilitated, on the other liand, nutritious food and bitter tonics 

 may be given, and even a course of arsenic (5 grains arsenic Avith 1 

 di-am bicarbonate of soda daily) . When the legs swell exercise on dry 

 roads, hand-rubbing, and evenly applied bandages are good, and mild 

 astringents, like extract of Avitch-hazel, may be applied and the part 

 subsequently rubbed dry and bandaged. If there is much heat but 

 unbroken skin, a lotion of 2 drams sugar of lead to 1 quart of Avater 



