246 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SCIENCE 



must be thoroughly dried by the use of hot bran or sawdust 

 packs and a light, clean bandage applied. The animal should be 

 allowed a few days' rest and provided with a laxative ration, to 

 which may be added a tablespoonful of artificial Carlsbad salts 

 three times a day to regulate the bowels. 



Grease heel is a very troublesome affection of the skin often 

 associated with peculiar fungus growths, called "grapes." It 

 may involve any part of the legs covered by the long hair from 

 the knees and hocks down. Heavily feathered, coarse skinned, 

 sluggish horses are predisposed to grease. The causes are similar 

 to those of cracked heels, the difference in the symptoms being 

 due to the character of the secondary invading microorganisms. 

 The chief symptoms are a moist, greasy feel to the skin of the 

 region, an offensive discharge, grape-like outgrowths, falling of 

 the hair, and stiffness. In bad cases the malady extends to the 

 horny frog, which becomes soft and throws out canker-like 

 growths. When instituting treatment hygienic measures are 

 important, but require medicinal aid to establish a cure. In- 

 ternally, 3^-ounce doses of Fowler's solution of arsenic night and 

 morning are indicated. If proud flesh forms it may be burned 

 off with a hot iron. Treatment suitable for one patient may be 

 entirely ineffective for another, so each case must be handled on 

 its own merits. A dressing made of 1 ounce of vaseline, 2 drams 

 of zinc oxid, and 20 drops of iodized phenol has been recom- 

 mended by veterinarians with wide practical experience. 



Necrosis, or gangrene, is that condition in which a group of 

 tissue cells have died. It may be either dry or moist depending 

 upon the appearance of the affected part. The dry form is also 

 known as mummification. When a piece of bone undergoes 

 necrosis it forms a sequestrum. The common causes are pressure 

 from lying on hard floors, too tight harness, strangulated hernia, 

 frost bites, clumps of bacteria, and anything which prevents 

 the blood from circulating freely. Treatment consists in re- 

 moval of the dead tissue and the application of disinfectants. 

 Gangrene appearing after an operation is evidence that the 

 surgeon is incompetent or ignorant. 



Old wounds may need to have the edges freshened, especially 

 if they are to be brought together by sutures, so that the skin 

 cells may proliferate and healing take place more readily. Heal- 

 ing can be stimulated in old sores by applying a blister. 



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