HORSES. 



57 



never safe to let it. All may appear to be well, and months 

 afterwards a swelling come up at or near the spot, an abscess 

 {see page 53) form, or worse still, a fistula. (See Fistula, 54) 

 The nail or other object which caused the puncture was probably 

 rusty or dirty, and conveyed some deleterious matter. 



Treatment. — Enlarge the orifice. Get drainage. Dip some 

 tow or a strand of rope in Elliman's, and push it into the wound 

 as far as it will go. Leave it in till next day. Renew it two or 

 three times until a healthy discharge takes place. The colour 

 should be pale yellow, and the consistence about that of cream. 

 No fear of results need be entertained after this treatment, and 

 the wound may be allowed to heal up. 



CHAPS AND CRACKS. 



The heels are subject to chaps and cracks in winter, as the 

 result of chills, from their being allowed to remain wet, and 

 from the irritating effects of mud. The dust of summer is also 

 known to have the same effect, especially of certain soils. 



Treat me nt. — Cleanse thoroughly with warm water and yellow, 

 not soft soap, and wipe dry. Dust the wound with equal parts 

 of dried alum and oxide of zinc. Rub in the Elliman's round 

 the coronet and in front of the pastern. The application of 

 Elliman's acts as a derivative, in this case, diverting blood from 

 the inflamed part. 



MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS. 



Whenever a scurfiness, followed by a crack, appears behind 

 the knee, it is called a mallender. A similar condition in front 

 of the hock is known as a sallender. These two diseases bear a 

 relation to cracked heels. Where the skin is required to bend 

 frequently, as in these places, a special provision is made to 

 prevent friction. Under the skin are found little glands whose 

 office it is to secrete an unctuous material resembling vaseline. 

 These glands fulfil their function in all ordinary times, but are 

 liable to become blocked up by irritating dust, or inflamed by 

 frost and snow. 



