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allowance of oats. Internally, one ounce of bicarbonate of potassium may 
be given twice daily in the drinking water, and if the case be a 
severe one, two drachms of Fowler’s solution may be given with it, in 
_addition. The rugs, if woollen ones, should be changed and cotton rugs 
should be substituted, as woollen fabrics increase the irritation of the skin, 
and annoy the animal greatly. It is well to leave a piece of rock salt in the 
manger in cases of eczema, as it often has a very beneficial effect. 
Finally, with regard to local applications for the affected parts, we 
believe the compound_ointment_of petroleum to be as goodas any. The 
formula is of vaseline four ounces, ¢ of white e precipitate of mercury four 
drachms, of liquor carbonig detergens f four ir drachms. This ointment may be 
applied t twice e daily, a and need not be be rubbed off. The liniment of lead with 
oil is also : a good application, It is made of half an ounce of solution of 
subacetate of f lead mixed with fo four ounces of olive oil. When the itching is 
very troublesome, the parts may be dressed with a lotion made of four 
drachms of « of diluted prussic_ acid, t two ounces of f glycerine, and eight ounces of 
water. ee 
Wale. 
CRACKED HEELS. 
By cracked heels we understand a condition of the heels characterised by 
heat, tenderness, and little cracks, from which a serous fluid oozes. This 
affection is not usually attended by lameness, but when very pronounced, 
the animal not unfrequently is decidedly lame. Among the chief causes of 
this irritable, inflammatory, and painful state of the skin, which is more 
commonly encountered in thoroughbreds and hunters, are cold and dietetic 
errors. Cold or chill of this part of the skin, which is often only sparsely 
covered with hair, is sometimes caught while the animal is exposed for a long 
time in boisterous weather ; but is more commonly due to the practice of 
washing the legs after a day’s work, and then not thoroughly drying them. 
Almost all the cases which have come under our notice are due to this 
avoidable source of error. It has been said that cracked heels are more 
likely to follow the use of hot than that of tepid or cold water, and this we 
believe to be true. 
The practice of washing horses’ legs with hot water after the day’s work 
is over, is a favourite one among grooms, though it is rather frequently 
attended by evil effects. It may, however, be pointed out that if the parts 
were thoroughly dried after being washed, this would not be the case. We 
may also add, that a little simple ointment of vaseline, or of two parts of 
vaseline to one of glycerine, will prove beneficial in preventing this inflamed 
condition of the skin of the heels. Brushing and rubbing the legs is all that 
is necessary in order to clean them, and when the feet and legs are wet they 
‘should be thoroughly dried. If covered. with mud, this should be allowed to 
dry on them, and brushed off next morning when dry. 
Regarding errors in diet as a cause of cracked heels, we may mention 
that this condition not unfrequently follows the use of bad hay and mouldy 
