170 THE HORSE IN HEALTH AND DISEASE 



ening the one at the bottom. Treat as advised for galled shoulders. 

 Sometimes a depression or "pocket" appears in the center of the 

 raw surface on top of the neck; as a result, an accumulation of the 

 wound secretions occurs. Later necrosis may set in. If it does, a 

 "sit fast" develops which can only be satisfactorily treated by 

 having the dead tissue removed with a surgeon's knife. 



Cracked heels, scratches, or mud fever are terms applied to 

 inflammatory changes in the skin which result in transverse cracks 

 across the hollow of the heel. The condition may be acute or 

 chronic. It is oftenest seen in the winter and spring, when the 

 feet are apt to be wet much of the time. Other causes are washing 

 the lower limbs but failing to dry them thoroughly; overfeeding 

 with concentrates; lack of exercise; leaving mud on the legs, espe- 

 cially if it contains irritant substances like salt, lime, or alkali. 

 It is said that cHpping the heels predisposes to scratches. The 

 symptoms are local heat, swelling and tenderness in the skin, 

 roughness to the overlying hair, stiffness, and lameness. Unless 

 treatment is prompt, the cracks widen, become infected, and pus 

 forms. The edges of the wounds present a gum-like secretion, 

 which soon dries and leaves a dirty appearing surface. In applying 

 treatment the aim should be to remove the irritating cause and 

 hasten wound-healing by keeping out infection. The part must be 

 thoroughly dried by the use of hot bran or sawdust packs and a 

 light, clean bandage applied. The animal should be allowed a 

 few days' rest and provided with a laxative diet, to which may 

 be added a tablespoonful of artificial Carlsbad salts three times a 

 day to regulate the bowels. 



Grease heel is a very troublesome alTection of the skin often 

 associated with peculiar fungus growths, called "grapes." It may 

 involve any part of the legs covered by the long hair from the knees 

 and hocks down. Heavily feathered, coarse skinned, sluggish 

 horses are predisposed to grease. The causes are similar to those 

 of cracked heels, the difference in the symptoms being due to the 

 character of the secondary invading micro-organisms. The chief 

 symptoms are a moist, greasy feel to the skin of the region, an 

 offensive discharge, grape-like outgrowths, faUing of the hair, and 

 stiffness. In bad cases the malady extends to the horny frog, 

 which becomes soft and throws out canker-Hke growths. When 

 instituting treatment hygienic measures are important, but require 

 medicinal aid to establish a cure. Internally, |-ounce doses of 



