192 GEEASE — CHAPPED HEELS. 



G-EEASE— CHAPPED HEELS. 



A different name is required for the present disease. The 

 malady is called Grease simply because, during its existence, a 

 greasy substance is secreted, or rather excreted from the 

 sebaceous glands of the heels. The name of a disease should 

 be as expressive as possible of the entire phenomena, not only 

 of the malady, but also of the nature of the structures involved. 



One of the most disgusting forms which Grease is capable 

 of manifesting itself is now rarely seen. I allude to what Mr. 

 Percival denominates its "grapy" condition. 



Grease may present itself under three -well marked forms 

 or states, which are successive stages of the same disease, 

 viz : — The simple, the ulcerative, and the grapy forms. This is 

 Mr. Percival's division of the malady, and, upon the'whoJe, it 

 is a good one. It possesses the recommendation of being both 

 a simple and natural arrangement. 



Chapped Heels. — Chapped Heels may be regarded as 

 Grease in its most ordinary form. It is a very common malady, 

 and one with which most horsemen of experience are familiar. 

 It prevails the most during the autumn and vrinter months. It 

 sometimes confines itself to the hind limbs, at other times to 

 the fore limbs, and on some occasions it is observed in the heels 

 of aU the extremities at the same time. 



During the autumn and the commencement of winter 

 horses undergo a change in their coats, which is also attended 

 with a state of general debility ; and while the organism is 

 thus unfavourably circumstanced, cracked heels are no un- 

 common accompaniment. 



Symptoms. — The animal may be unwell for several days ; 

 he may refuse his food ; the hair over the surface of the body 

 wiU look dry, be harsh to the touch, and present altogether an 



