112 RURAL VETERINARY SfECRETS 



SCRATCHES (Mud Fever) 



Scratches. 



Scratches, also known as erythema and mud fever, are usually 

 due to a hunior in the blood which breaks out at the fetlock be- 

 cause this part of the limb is most exposed to moisture and tilth, 

 which, acted upon by the cold air, cause eruptions of the skin and 

 possible infection. Considerable fever and swelling will be noticed ; 

 then skin eruptions take place. The animal usually starts out lame 

 and the parts are very sensitive to the touch. 



Grease Leg is a term applied to chronic cases of Scratches cor 

 Mud Fever. This is the resul't the owner or attendant neglecting 

 to relieve the patient by giving proper treatment or applying irri 

 tants, such as liniments or blisters. The erroneous idea of applying 

 filthy cow dung instead of clean poultices will cause the growth 

 of clusters or tumor, like growths resembling grapes, which arc- 

 ])ainful to the patient and throw out an offensive, amber-colored 

 Huid. In later stages grease leg often turns into big leg or Ele- 

 jihantiases. 



TREATMENT 



Wash the parts clean with soap and warm water. Rub dry and 

 apply Elk's Derniasotc. Rub it freely into the wounds, then apply 

 a warm linseed poultice over the entire fetlock. Repeat this twice 

 daily until the swellings disa])pear. Give the horse a tablespoon- 

 ful of Bovolax in moist food three times daily for three days. Then 

 discontinue the Bovolax and give a teaspoonful of National Altera- 

 tive Powders instead until the scratches have entirely disappeared. 

 This treatment is very effective and inexpensive. 



