THE SKIN. 229 



firm incrustations resulting from the drying of the liquids thrown out, 

 and the skin becomes increasingly thick and rigid. A similar condition 

 occurs behind the knee and in front of the hock (malanders and saland- 

 ers), and may extend from these points to the hoof, virtually incasing 

 that side of the limb in a permanent incrusting sheath. Besides a heavy 

 lymphatic constitution, which predisposes to this affection, the causes 

 are overfeeding on grain, altered unwholesome fodder, close, hot, dirty 

 stables, constant contact with dung and urine and their emanations, 

 working in deep, irritant mud; above all, in limestone districts, irrita- 

 tion by dry limestone or sandy dust in dry weather on dirt road, also 

 cold draughts, snow and freezing mud, washing the legs with caustic 

 soap, wrapping the wet legs in thick woollen bandages which soak the 

 skin and render it sensitive when exposed next day, clipping the heels, 

 weak heart and circulation, natural or supervening on overwork, imper- 

 fect nourishment, impure air, lack of sunshine, chronic, exhausting, or 

 debilitating diseases, or functional or structural diseases of the heart, 

 liver or kidneys. These last induce dropsical swelling of the limbs 

 (stocking), weaken the parts, and induce cracking. Finally the cica- 

 trix of a pre-existing crack, weak, rigid, and tmyielding, is liable to re- 

 open under any severe exertion, hence rapid paces and heavy draft are 

 active causes. 



In treatment the first step is to ascertain and remove the cause when- 

 ever possible. If there is much local heat and inflammation a laxative 

 (five drams aloes, or one pound Glauber salts) may be given, and for the 

 pampered animal the grain should be reduced or replaced altogether by 

 bran mashes, flaxseed, and other laxative, non-stimulating food. In 

 the debilitated, on the other hand, nutritious food and bitter tonics may 

 be given, and even a course of arsenic (five grains arsenic with one dram 

 bicarbonate of soda daily. ) When the legs swell exercise on dry roads, 

 hand-rubbing, and evenly applied bandanges are good, and mild astrin- 

 gents, like extract of witch-hazel may be applied and the part subse- 

 quently rubbed dry and bandaged. If there is much heat but unbroken 

 skin, a lotion of two drams of sugar of lead to one quart of water may 

 be applied on a thin bandage, covered in cold weather with a dry 

 one. The same may be used after the cracks appear, or a solution 

 of sulphurous acid solution one part, glycerine one part, and water 

 one part, applied on cotton and well covered by a bandage. In case 

 these should prove unsuitable to the particular case, the part may be 

 smeared with vaseline one ounce, sugar of lead one dram, and carbolic 

 acid ten drops. 



