423 



burning has a similar effect, and this often comes from exposure to the 

 direct rays of the suo. The skin that does not perspire is the most 

 subject, and hence the ichiteface or white limb of a horse becoming dried 

 by the intensity of the sun's rays often snfifers to the exclusion of the rest 

 of the body ( white face and foot disease). The febrile state of the general 

 system is also a i)otent cause, hence the white-skinned horse is rendered 

 the more liable if kept on a heating ration of buclcivheat, or even of 

 wheat or maize. Contact of the skin with oil of turpentine or other essen- 

 tial oils, vfith irritant liqidds, vegetable or mineral, with rancid fats, with 

 the acrid secretions of certain animals like the irritated toad, with pus, 

 sweat, tears, urine ov liquid fceces, will produce congestion or even inllam- 

 mation. Chafing is a common cause, and is especially liable to affect 

 the fat horse between the thighs, by the side of the sheath or scrotum, 

 on the inner side of the elbow, or where the harness chafes on the poll, 

 shoulder, back, breastbone, and under the tail. The accumulation of 

 sweat and dust between the folds of the skin, and on the surface of 

 the harness, and the specially acrid character of the sweat in cer- 

 tain horses contribute to chafing or "intertrigo." The heels often be- 

 come congested, owing to the irritation caused by the short bristly hairs 

 in clipped heels. Again, congestion 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, over- 

 reach). Finally, erythema is especially liable to occur in spring when 

 the coat is being shed, and the hair follicles and general surface are 

 exposed and irritable in connection with the dropping of the hairs. 



If due only to a local irritant congestion will usually disajjpear when 

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

 these conditions must ba first corrected. While the coat 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 foundation of persistent or fre-" 

 quently recurring skin disease. Hence at such times the diet should 

 be uonstimulatingj 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 are unable to cope with it; the animal should not be given 

 more than a swallow or two of cold water when perspiring and fatigued; 

 nor should he be allowed a full sujiply of water just after his grain ra- 

 tion ; he should not be overheated nor exhausted by work, nor should 

 dried sweat and dust be allowed to accumulate on the skin nor on the 

 harness pressing on it. The exposure of the affected 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 sad- 

 dle or collar irritates an incision should be made above and one below 

 the part that chafes, and the jiadding between having been removed, 

 the lining should be beaten so us to make a hollow. A zinc shield in 



