100 VETERINARY 



The causes which produce the grease are, prin- 

 cipally, sudden change of temperature, hot stables* 

 too high or low feeding, joined to want of proper 

 exercise and cleanlinefs ; or it may proceed from 

 some other disease in the constitution, or from a 

 termination of inflammation, whereby the thinner 

 parts of the blood may be thrown into the cellular 

 membrane, and not being absorbed, falls down to 

 the extremities. 



On the first attack of this disease, the hind legs 

 appear cedematous, particularly about the pastern 

 joints, and the cellular membrane is filled with a 

 fluid ; where, if from want of proper care, exer- 

 cise, &c. it is suffered to remain, it becomes acrid, 

 and causes inflammation, swelling, and tension. 

 As the disease increases, the inflammation be- 

 comes more violent, the heels crack, and discharge 

 very offensive matter, and the vefsels take on the 

 same action as those of the feet, and horny sub- 

 stances are formed on the fetlock joint ; the edges 

 of the cracked skin becomes callous, refufe to 

 unite, and obstruct the growth of new flesh ; and 

 sometimes the inflammation runs so high as to 

 affect the capsular ligament of the joint and the 

 bones, frequently causing a stiff joint. 



If this disease is in its incipient stage, the horse 



