CEACKED HEELS. 157 



are bent. The discharge from the vesicles or pustules has an of- 

 fensive smell, and exerts an irritating effect on the skin, which 

 becomes thickened, according to the degree of inflammation. If 

 the disease continues for some time, the part becomes denuded of 

 hair, and the cracks in the skin become filled up with hard fibrous 

 tissue, which in severe cases stands out in the form of thick ridges. 

 These fibrous tumours are due to an excessive growth of scar tissue, 

 which is the material that unites the edges of wounds that heal by 

 granulation, and which gives the white appearance to an old scar. 

 In the characteristic form of grease, the discharge is thin, foul 

 smelling, and greasy; hence the name. In grapes, the papillte of 

 the skin are affected ; and warts, which may in extreme cases be as 

 large as a man's fist, appear on the surface. In the early stages 

 of a sharp attack, there is pain and lameness, which usually dis- 

 appears as the disease becomes chronic. If there be no discharge 

 of fluid, the surface of the part will be covered with horny cells, 

 which will have a mealy appearance. Cracked heels and especially 

 grease have a marked tendency to run a chronic course. 



PREVENTIVE TREATMENT.— Do not wash the legs and feet. 

 If they be muddy when the horse returns to his stable, let the mud 

 dry on, and when it is quite dry, brush it off. A brush, slightly 

 damped cotton cloth, and pricker, is all that is required to keep 

 the wall of the hoof, sole and frog clean. If it be imperative to 

 wash, carefully dry after doing so, and rub in some suitable lubri- 

 cant, such a.s lanoline, sweet oil or fat (a little beeswax might be 

 a useful addition in warm climates to increase the consistency), 

 which should also be applied before the horse leaves the stable. 

 Under ordinary circumstances, as in racing, hunting, and private 

 stables, not more than one horse in twenty, during the year, ought 

 to get cracked heels, which, as a rule, is caused by gross mis- 

 management on the part of the groom. The occurrence of grease 

 is unknown in well-managed stables. Horses in loose boxes 

 should not be tied up during the day. 



PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT.— If acute inflammation be 

 present, reduce it, and then use some application which will lubri- 

 cate the part \vithout irritating it. If there be a discharge, disinfect 

 the part before using the oily application. Remove all warts and 

 tumours with the knife or scissors, and treat the wounds antisep- 

 tically (p. 67 et seq.). Give the part rest. 



TREATMENT. — I have seen so many cases of cracked heels 

 having been rendered chronic by the persistent use of supposed 

 remedies which did harm instead of good, that I would advise the 



