THE HORSE—THE SKIN. 131 
lodgings, proximity to decaying animal and vegetable matter. The excit- 
ing causes are local irritations, as from chafing in work, rubbing of harness, 
corroding medicines on the skin, bites and stings of insects, burns, scalds, 
dropsy, wounds, open sores exposed to accumulations of rotting manure or 
other matter. 
Symptoms.—The first symptom is usually a fever, followed by loss 
of appetite; dullness; quickened pulse and breath; hot skin; constipation; 
scanty, high-colored urine; elevated temperature at the rectum ; then spread- 
ing, hot, tender, slimy, itching swelling, very often starting from some sore, 
though not always; the inflammation may extend to the underlying tissues, 
or may be dropsical in its character; the border of the swelling is abrupt; 
the skin is tense, pits on pressure, perhaps shows pimples and is more or 
less red, the shade being deeper on a clear, white skin. After some days 
either the swelling and redness subside, and the sores dry into scales which 
drop off and leave a dark-red and tender surface; or cracks appear with 
sores which have little tendency to heal. In the horse, the head, chest, 
belly and hind limbs are especially subject to a dropsical swelling. 
_ TrEaTMENT.—Rhus is one of the best remedies in the treatment of 
this disorder, especially when blisters form, accompanied by fever and a hot, 
rapidly-spreading swelling. Arsenicum should be given when cracked 
heel is the cause, and will be found to be a good general remedy, especially 
if pus has formed. Apply to the parts warm fomentations of a weak solu- 
tion of tincture of muriate of ammonia, or of sulphate of zinc, protecting 
the sore then from cold air. A dry application of zinc and starch is also 
recommended. Iodized adhesive plaster may also be of service, especially 
in checking the spread of the swelling. If matter has formed, let it out. 
GALLS. 
Galls are caused by a badly-fitting saddle or collar; by the harness or 
girth; by bad riding; by removing a saddle too soon after a ride, before 
the horse becomes cool. 
TREATMENT.—For saddle-galls, with deep bruising of the tissues, 
apply one part of arnica to nine of water once in four hours, with a soft rag 
or sponge, keeping the injured surface covered from exposure to the air 
and insects. If there be soft tumors arising from inflammation, open the 
swellings, squeeze out the contents, and put in a few drops of arnica tinc- 
ture, if the cause be friction of the saddle. When the swelling, from neg- 
lect or frequent recurrence, becomes hard and the skin thickened and half 
dead, the sore perhaps being partially separated all around from the healthy 
skin, the tumor may be cut out and the sore dressed with tincture of calen- 
Digitized by Microsoft® 
