435 



those of the nature of antiferments, and the local application of astrin- 

 gent and antiseptic agents. Internal treatment may consist in 4 

 drams tinctnre of mnriate of iron, and one-half dram muriate of am- 

 monia or chlorate of jiotasb, given in a pint of water every two 

 hours. To this may be added, liberally, whisky or brandy when the 

 prostration is very marked. Locally a strong solution of iron, alum, or 

 of sulphate of iron and laudanum may be used. Or the affected part 

 may be painted with tincture of muriate of iron or with iodized plienol. 

 In mild cases a lotion of 4 drams sugar of lead and 2 ounces lauda- 

 num in a quart of water may be applied. It is desirable to avoid the 

 formation of wounds and the consequent septic action, yet when pus 

 has formed, and is felt by fluctuation under the finger to be approach- 

 ing the surface, it should be freely opened with a clean, sharp lancet, 

 and the wound thereafter disinfected daily with carbolic acid 1 part to 

 water 10 parts, with a saturated solution of hyposulphite of soda, or 

 with powders of iodoform or salol. 



Horse-pox, anthrax, and cutaneous glanders (farcy), will 

 come more properly under contagious diseases. 



CALLOSITIES. 



These are simple thickening and induration of the cuticle by reason 

 of continued pressure, notably in lyj^ng down on a hard surface. Being 

 devoid of hair they cause blemishes, hence smooth floors and good bed- 

 ding should be secured as preventives. 



HORNY SLOUGHS — SITFASTS — SLOUGHING CALLOSITIES. 



These are circumscribed sloughs of limited portions of the skin, the 

 result of pressure by badly-fitting harness, or by irritating masses of 

 dirt, sweat, and hairs under the harness. They are most common 

 under the saddle, but may be found under collar or breeching as well. 

 The sitfast is a piece of dead tissue which would be thrown off but that 

 it has formed firm connections with the fibrous skin beneath, or even 

 deeper with the fibrous layers (fascia) of the muscles, or with the bones, 

 and is thus bound in its place as a persistent source of irritation. The 

 horn-like slough may thus involve the superficial part of the skin only, 

 or the whole thickness of the skin, and even of some of the structures 

 beneath. The first object is to remove the dead irritant by dissecting 

 it off with a sharp knife, after which the sore may be treated with sim- 

 ple wet cloths or a weak carbolic acid lotion, like a common wound. If 

 the outline of the dead mass is too indefinite, a linseed-meal poultice 

 will make its outline more evident to the operator. If the fascia or 

 bone has become gangrenous the dead portion must be removed with the 

 hornlike skin. During and after treatment the horse must be kept at 

 rest or the harness must be so adjusted that no pressure can come near 

 the affected parts. 



