166 THE VETERINARY SCIENCE. 



swelling of the limbs and belly, and in some cases he has a cough. 



Treatment.— This disease is a very simple one to treat, in 



most cases, if there is not too much medicine used, f Allow the 



disease to run its course ; keep the body warm ; have the stable 



clean, and allow the animal to have plenty of fresh air. Feed on 



soft food with plenty of boiled flax seed to keep the bowels loose, 



and give the following simple medicine to act on the blood : 



Chlorate of Potash ^ pound. 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre J " 



Mix thoroughly and give a teaspoonful three times a day on 

 his tongue with a spoon. Never mix chlorate of potash and 

 sulphur together, as it will explode and is very dangerous. Give 

 the animal plenty of cold water to drink in small quantities. In 

 cases where the animal is very weak give as a stimulant a wine 

 glassful of whisky in a pint of gruel three times a day, and never, 

 under any circumstances, give a physic in this disease. It is well 

 to wash out the nostrils and eyes twice a day with luke warm 

 water. After a few days you will see the animal began to take 

 notice of things around him and gradually gets better. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



CRACKED HEELS (SCRATCHES). 



This disease is common among horses, and affects the heels, 

 the heels of the hind legs being oftener affected than the front. 



Causes. — Anything that will irritate the skin tends to produce 

 this disease. In the fall and spring, when there is wet and muddy 

 roads, washing and not properly drying the legs, standing in 

 badly kept stables, or by wearing boots on the legs. Heavy, 

 hairy-legged horses are more subject to it than light horses. 



SyBlptomS. — The affected legs have a tendency to swell and 

 are stiff and sore about the heels, the skin becomes cracked and 

 scaly-looking at the back of the heels, and in some cases, when 

 you are driving him, the heels will bleed. 



Treatment. — The first thing to do is to feed on soft food and 



give a physic drench consisting of the following: 



Bitter Aloes 8 drarns. 



Ginger 1 tablespoonful. 



Common Soda 1 " 



