MUDv.FEVEE. 159 



^h 



cases of cracked heels by simply tying the horse up short in a 

 narrow stall, so as to prevent' him lying down or moving about — 

 feeding him. lightly, and using no application to the pasterns. 

 The repair of the cracks would be hastened by using cotton 

 wadding bandages, which help the circulation of blood in the 

 animal's limbs. Long-continued standing naturally produces more 

 or less stagnation of blood in the legs. Slings (p. 690) might be 

 tried with benefit. 



Mud FeYer {Eczema of the Legs and Abdomen). 



This is an ailment similar to cracked heels ; being inflammation 

 of the skin of the legs, which sometimes extends to the belly, and 

 is caused by the action of moisture and mud, and particularly by 

 the practice of washing the legs after continued work through wet 

 and dirt, as when hunting. A certain amount of fever is usually 

 present, brought on by irritation to the skin. The limbs become 

 very sore, and the horse has to b© thrown by for some time. 



Here, as in cracked heels, owing to the presence of inflammation, 

 the oil glands of the affected skin do not pour out a sufficiency of 

 oil to keep it in a soft and pliable condition. 



The practice of clipping horses' legs is a strong predisposing 

 cause "of mud fever, as well as of cracked heels. If a horse is 

 exposed to influences likely to cause mud fever and cracked heels, 

 and has to be clipped, it is well to confine the use of the machine 

 and scissors to the head, neck and body, and to leave the legs 

 untouched. If, after work through mud and wet — supposing the 

 animal's Idgs have neither been clipped nor singed — the legs be 

 not washed, but be allowed to dry of their own accord, they will 

 rarely become affected by mud fever. The use of warm water as 

 in the case of cracked heels, even with every precaution, is very 

 liable to cause this affection. 



If the legs of a sound horse have to be washed, use only' cold 

 water ; do the washing in a stable out of the wind ; quickly and 

 thoroughly dry the legs with the rubber and by hand-rubbing; 

 apply lanoline, fresh fat, or sweet oil; and put on flannel 

 bandages. As a matter of ordinary stable routine, the external 

 use of water should be confined to the animal's muzzle, eyes, dock, 

 and sheath. 



TREATMENT.— Treat as for cracked heels. If fever be 

 present, give a mild dose of Epsom salts. 



The best preventive measures are to allow the mud and dirt to 

 remain on the legs until they are thoroughly dry — say, till next 

 morning — then brush the dust off; and to refrain from washing 

 or clipping the legs. 



