434 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



the sufferings endured by the poor creatures which are 

 compelled to drag out life in such custody." 



There is so much honest and just indignation here, that 

 we forgive a little exaggeration. Grease is not always 

 produced by mere neglect, though hand-rubbing, free ven- 

 tilation, and cleanliness have almost banished it from our 

 cavalry horses and well-regulated stables. Swelled legs, 

 cracks, and grease are so much more common in winter, 

 that grease has even been called a winter disease, and the 

 " chilblain " of horses. Moisture is likewise favourable to 

 the complaint, for it first produces a determination to the 

 parts, and then, as a parent of cold, it weakens the already 

 distended vessels. Grease sometimes follows injuries — as 

 halter- casting. 



The disease may become serious when it occurs under 

 other circumstances favourable to its production, as in 

 moist, cold, and particularly frosty or snowy weather ; or 

 when, from previous illness, a horse has been thrown out 

 of condition ; and, more than all, when such a case has 

 been maltreated by the idleness or ignorance of those 

 around, who, finding a swelled heel, immediately fly to 

 urine balls, or purging balls, whereas a little local atten- 

 tion will cure the surfaces at once. Colour, likewise, as it 

 marks debility, so it influences grease ; thus, it has been 

 remarked that white-leo^^red and lio^ht-coloured horses 

 generally are more liable to cracks, to grease, and to 

 diseases of the feet, than others which are darker, or 

 whose legs are black. After all, however, the grand 

 origin of grease is — bad stable management. No matter 

 of what breed, or how old the horse may be, the groom 

 is to blame if the animal becomes greasy. In all well- 

 regulated stables, the appearance of this loathsome dis- 

 order should be a signal for a change of attendants 

 therein ; for as the affection is now banished from the 

 army, what earthly reason can be urged why it should 

 be found in private stables ? 



Treatment. — In the older veterinary books, pages are 

 devoted to this opprobrium of the stable. Our direc- 

 tions shall be simple. Clip off the hair ; it can only 

 heat the skin and retain the discharge. Wash the leg 

 with warm water and curd soap. Then take a soft 

 cloth saturated with the following lotion : animal 

 glycerine, eight ounces ; chloride of zinc, one ounce ; 



