SIMPLE AILMENTS 301 



Cracked Heels. 



The skin of the heels in health is softened with an oily 

 matter, and if this is diminished the condition known as 

 cracked heels is the result. The legs swell and become hot, 

 and sores form in the heels, causing stiffness, if not actual 

 lameness. The causes are from the heels not being sufft- 

 ciently dried after being wet, and also from being fed on 

 more stimulating food than the stomach can bear. The 

 heels should be poulticed, and, if it is imperative to keep 

 the horse at work, should be well softened with zinc 

 ointment for at least half an hour before the horse leaves 

 the stable. The blood must be cooled by diminishing the 

 corn and stopping all beans for a few days, and giving a 

 bran mash for two or three nights with a tablespoonful of 

 Sulphur in it, besides — 



Epsom Salts 2 oz. 



Common Salt ... ... ... ... ... ^ oz. 



while, if time permits, it is well to commence the proceeding 

 with an aloetic purge of about 4 drs. 



Cracked heels are very apt to occur when a horse is being 

 forced to the highest condition, a few days before a race. 



Choking. 



At the back of the mouth are situated the openings of the 

 oesophagus and windpipe, the upper one communicating 

 with the stomach, and the lower one with the lungs. If the 

 obstruction which causes choking is situated in the oeso- 

 phagus gentle pressure may be tried, and a little linseed oil 

 poured down ; but in giving the latter, great care must be 

 taken not to hold the head up by force, or some of the oil 

 may find its way into the windpipe, and so into the lungs, 

 thus choking the horse. If any oil is forced back it will 

 probably have to return through the nostrils. 



