Scratches 303 



prevail, the dust sticks in the hair when the horse 

 sweats, and causes scratches in midsummer. Rope- 

 burns under the fetlock may also cause scratches. 

 Certain coarse-legged horses of the heavy draft type, 

 with a thick growth of hair on the legs, are predis- 

 posed to this trouble. In some cases of scratches, a 

 form of mold has been found that has been thought 

 to cause the disease. 



There is inflammation of the glands of the skin, 

 the parts itch, and the hair stands erect. There is 

 also a sticky discharge that adheres to the hair like 

 dew; at first, the fluid is thin and colorless, but later 

 it is gummy and may have a foetid odor. Transverse 

 cracks appear in the skin, usually under the fetlock, 

 but sometimes above it; the legs swell, the fetlock and 

 pastern joints become stiff, and the horse is often lame 

 on starting, owing to the soreness of the skin. In 

 severe cases, a fungus -like growth of proud flesh, 

 called "grapes," forms on the edges of the cracks, and 

 the parts bleed easily and profusely. 



The first essential is to clean the part. This is 

 best done by clipping the hair close to the skin and 

 applying a warm poultice of scalded bran, linseed 

 meal, or bread and milk; this should be applied 

 from twelve to twenty -four hours, and changed at 

 least twice a day. Wheu the poultice is removed, the 

 part must be thoroughly washed, and wiped dry, after 

 all scabs, etc., are removed. After the part is thor- 

 oughly dry, the cracks can be painted with tincture of 

 iodine and a mild ointment applied. The iodine may be 

 used for three days and continue the ointment. It is 



