268 



ILLUSTRATED STOCK DOCTOR. 



action of the cellular ti.ssue referred to, causing it to lu'coine dry and au 

 length acutely inflamed. It may also arise from the shifting of inliam* 

 mation from other parts, as from the lungs, kidneys, etc. 



Horses of coarse tiber and full habit, accustomed to exercise, if allowed 

 to stand idle several days, will have swelled legs from the accumulation 

 of watery fluid ; and, if unattended to, the parts may soon be attacked 

 hy inflammation, when the tissues become involved, and the di.^ease 

 assumes its more serious type. 



It is occasionally a mere extension of the effects of cracked heels, with 

 its primary cause resting in whatever may have produced the primary 

 disorder. 



How to know it. — The leg becomes greatly swollen, and looks sm 

 though it was stretched to its utmost tension. Occasionally, the swell- 

 ing appears almost suddenlj^ and then as suddenly subsides, in which 

 case the cause may be considered as having but just begun to operate ; 

 and if now treated, it is easily managed. Again, it is sometimes sudden 

 in its attack, and violent ; the skin is hot, dry, and extremely tender, 

 and the pulse is quick and hard, while a peculiar lameness speedily sets 

 in. The swelling may extend to the sheath and along the belly, as far as 

 the muscles of the breast. 



In the more advanced stage of the disease small cracks appear in the 

 skin , and from these exudes a watery matter, of whitish-yellow color, 

 similar to that which is seen in cracked heels. In this case it must be 

 taken for granted that no treatment, however skilfull, can speedily 

 remove it ; that the improvement must be slow, and consequently much 

 time required. 



What to do. — If the disease seems to be merely undue deposit of 

 serum, owing to confinement, nothing more may be necessary than to 

 give the animal a dose or two of niter, daily, to act upon the kidneys ; 

 and to exercise him regularly, to induce absolution. In the adminis- 

 tering of a diuretic, however, even so simple as niter, care should be 

 taken that it is not left to ignorant and irresponsible grooms, since it 

 may be given in excess, and result in disordering the kidneys, and thus 

 ultimately inducing the very disease which it is intended to remed}'. 



When there is a tendency to swelled legs which manifests itself in tliiP 

 morning, but disappears during the exercise of the day, an excellent pre- 

 ventive is to stand the horse in cold water to his knees, half an liour, 

 just before night, and then rub dry before stabling; but care must be 

 taken to dry the legs thoroughly, or the plan is plainly objectionable. If 

 it should be found not to yield to this, administer the niter in modera- 

 tion, as previously directed, and exercise the horse regularly, causing him 



