302 The Diseases of Animeals 
MUD FEVER 
This is a common name given to an inflammation 
of the skin of the legs, usually caused by the irrita- 
tion produced by mud and water in the spring of the 
year. In geldings it is sometimes caused by urine 
spattering against the fore legs. 
The skin is inflamed or tender. The hair looks 
rough, and it may come out in patches. The skin at 
the roots of the hair is scurfy and gummy. 
The treatment is practically the same as for 
eczema, except that internal medication is required 
only in severe cases. After the hair is clipped, the 
legs should be well dressed with some bland oil or 
ointment, such as castor oil or vaseline, before driving 
the horse in mud or wet. Keep the legs clean. 
SCRATCHES, GREASE-HEEL 
Seratches is an inflammation of the glands of the 
skin, especially in the region of the heels. When a simi- 
lar condition occurs in front of the hock joint it is 
called “sallenders”; at the back of the knee on the 
fore leg it is called ‘mallenders.” 
In most cases, scratches is caused by some external 
irritant, such as mud, wet, or filth. It occurs most 
frequently in the winter or spring when the roads 
are muddy, or when the horses are confined in filthy 
quarters. The reason the disease usually occurs in 
the hind legs is because of their proximity to the 
manure, In some parts of the West, where alkali soils 
