CEACKED HEELS. 157 



offensive smell, and exerts an irritating effect on the skin, which 

 becomes thickened, according to the degree of inflammation. If 

 the disease continues for some time, the part becomes denuded of 

 hair, and the cracks in the skin get filled up with hard fibrous 

 tissue, which in severe cases stands out in the form of thick ridges. 

 These fibrous tumours are due to an excessive growth of scar tissue, 

 which is the material that unites the edges of wounds that heal by 

 granulation, and which gives the white appearance to an old scar. 

 In the characteristic form of grease, the discharge is thin, foul 

 smelling, and greasy; hence the name. In grapes, the papillae of 

 the skin are affected; and warts, in extreme cases, as large as a 

 man's fist, appear on the surface. In the early stages of a sharp 

 attack, there is pain and lameness, which usually disappears as 

 the disease becomes chronic. If there be no discharge of fluid, 

 the surface of the part will be covered with homy cells, which 

 will have a mealy appearance. Cracked heels and especially grease 

 have a marked tendency to run a chronic course. 



PREVENTIVE TREATMENT.— Do flot wash the legs and feet. 

 If they be muddy when the horse returns to his stable, let the mud 

 dry on, and when it is quite dry, brush it off. A brush, slightly 

 damped cotton cloth, and pricker, are all that is required to keep 

 the wall of the hoof, sole and frog clean. If it be imperative to 

 wash, carefully dry after doing so, and rub in some suitable 

 lubricant, such as lanoline, sweet oil or fat (a little beeswax might 

 be a useful addition in warm climates to increase the. consistency), 

 which should also be applied before the horse leaves the stable. 

 Under ordinary circumstances, as in racing, hunting, and private 

 stables, not more than one horse in twenty, during the year, ought 

 to get cracked heels, which, as a rule, is caused by gross mis- 

 management on the part of the groom. The occurrence of grease 

 is unknown in well-managed stables. Horses in loose boxes should 

 not be tied up during the day. 



PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT.— If acute inflammation bo 

 present, reduce it, and then use some application which will 

 lubricate the part without irritating it. If there be a discharge, 

 disinfect the part before using the oily application. Remoye all 

 warts and tumours with the knife or scissors, and treat the wounds 

 antiseptically (p. 67 ef seq.). Give the part rest. 



TREATMENT. — I have seen so many cases of cracked heels 

 having been rendered chronic by the persistent use of supposed 

 remedies which did harm insfead of good, that I would advise no 

 stimulating applications should be used in the first instance; the 

 part merely being washed twice a day with warm water and a soft 



