108 RURAL VETERINARY SECRETS 



acter of the sweat iti certain horses contribute to chafing or "in- 

 tertrigo." The heels often become congested, owing to the irrita- 

 tion caused by the short bristly hair in clipped heels. Again, con- 

 gestion may occur from friction by halter, harness, or other foreign 

 body under the pastern, or inside the thigh or arm, or by reason of 

 blows from another foot (cutting, interfering, overreach). Finally, 

 erythema is especially liable to occur in spring when the coat is be- 

 ing shed, and the hair follicles and general surface are exposed and 

 irritable in connection with the dropping of the hair. 



If due only to local irritant, congestion will usually disap])car 

 when such cause has been removed, but when the feeding or system 

 is at fault these conditions must be first corrected. While the cost 

 is being shed the susceptibility will continue, and the aim should 

 be to prevent the disease developing and advancing so as to weaken 

 the skin, render the susceptibility permanent, and lay the founda- 

 tion of persistent or frequently recurring skin disease. Hence at 

 such times the diet should be nonstimulating; any excess of grain 

 and above all of buckwheat, Indian corn, or wheat being avoided. 

 A large grain ration should not be given at once on return from 

 hard work, when the general system and stomach arc unable to 

 cope with it; the animal should not be given more than a swalloAv 

 or t\\() of cold water when perspiritig and fatigued; nor should he 

 be allowed a full supply of water just aftei- his grain ration; he 

 should not be overheated, or exhausted by the liarness pressing on 

 the skin. The exposure of the afifected heels to damp, mud and 

 snow, and, above all, to melting snow, should be guarded against; 

 light, smooth, well-fitting harness must be secured, and where the 

 saddle or collar irritates an incision should be made in them above 

 and below the part that chafes, and, the padding between having 

 been removed, the lining should be beaten so as to make a hollow. 

 A zinc shield in the upi)cr angle of the collar will often i)rcveiit 

 chafing in front of the withers. 



TREATMENT 



Wash the chafed skin and ap])ly a salt and w.ilcr solution con- 

 sisting of one-half ounce of salt to each quart of watei-, camphorated 

 spirits, or a weak solution of oak bark. If the surface is raw, dust 

 over wMth starch and smear with Dermasote Ointment. To relieve 

 the constitutional disturbance gi\c one to two tablespoonfuls of 

 Sanguitone (National) in moist food three times daily. This is usu- 

 all\- followed by a rapid recovery. \'ou should notice a markeil 

 inii'iox cmcnt in from 48 to 70 houis. 



