DISEASES OF THE HORSE 169 



Mud fever is an inflammation of the skin of the legs. It is 

 caused by the irritation of the mud and water in the spring of the 

 year, and occasionally by spattering urine against the fore legs in 

 the case of geldings. The treatment is to keep the parts clean. 

 Clip the hair, cleanse by washing with tar soap, wipe dry, then 

 rub with vaseline, castor oil, or glycerine. 



Eczema is an inflammation of the skin. It usually occurs 

 among horses in good flesh, especially in the spring when the hair 

 is long. It is characterized by small eruptive blisters that dis- 

 charge a gummy substance. This dries about the roots of the 

 hair, causing intense itching, especially when the animal sweats. 

 The treatment is to clip the hair, cleanse by washing with tar 

 soap, wipe dry, then rub the skin with some bland oil as vaseline, 

 glycerine, or castor oil, or better still, oxide of zinc ointment. 



DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS 



In considering ailments of the digestive organs, it must be. 

 remembered that by far the greater number of these difficulties 

 are due to improper food or to careless feeding. Hence in the 

 treatment of the various diseases of the digestive organs, the 

 method of feeding as well as the kind of food should receive 

 careful attention. 



Ailments of the mouth 



The mouth is subject to many injuries which may have a 

 serious effect upon mastication and digestion. When the horse 

 does not masticate his food, the mouth should be closely ex- 

 amined. 



Sore mouth may result from irritating foods, injuries, and 

 germs of diseases, from severe bits and irregular or diseased 

 teeth, also from vicious habits. The treatment is to locate 

 the cause and remove it. Wash the mouth thoroughly with 

 warm water, then apply three times daily a healing lotion, such 

 as a strong solution of alum. Do not use poisonous remedies. 



