250 On the Domestic Veterinary Treatment of 
shoeing, or from a bruise inflicted by a stone in the road, the 
treatment will be the same. The matter must be allowed free 
exit, without the unnecessary removal of the substance of 
the hoof : the foot should then be soaked in warm water ; a 
little tar on a piece of tow should be j)laced on the wound, and 
after the shoe has been lightly nailed on, a stopping of tar 
and tow should be applied to the bottom of the foot, and 
retained by means of splints. An undetected abscess in the 
foot is a serious affair. The imprisoned matter generally finds 
its way to the coronet, and extensive disease of the foot- 
structures is a common consequence. 
Cracked Heels, Mud Fever, and Grease. — No more annoying 
diseases exist in the list of maladies to which animals are liable 
than cracked or chapped heels, mud fever, and that peculiar 
affection of the skin of the heels and fetlock joints which, from 
the greasy nature of the discharge which issues from the sur- 
face, is commonly designated " grease." 
Cracked Heels arise from exposure to wet and cold, and it 
may be concluded that the mechanical effects of dirt and grit 
are contributory to the general result. 
Mud Fever may be looked upon as an extension of the state 
of irritation which, in its more limited form, is the beginning 
of chapped heels. 
Grease, at least in its early stage, is the outcome of the 
influence of the causes referred to. In the more advanced 
condition the disease assumes a malignant character which 
defies the skill of the experienced veterinarian. 
In the early stages of " grease " an antiseptic and astringent 
lotion may be used with advantage, and the well-known pre- 
paration. Sir William Burnett's Disinfecting Fluid (chloride of 
zinc) is very useful for this purpose ; and indeed in all cases of 
slight abrasions of the skin, sore shoulders, wrung withers, and 
also in all instances of wounds accompanied with fetid dis- 
charge. A lotion of convenient strength for general use is 
made by adding 1 pint of the fluid to 50 parts of water. 
In the undiluted form, the disinfecting fluid is a caustic and 
poison ; care must therefore be taken to keep it in a secure 
place. 
The several diseases of the skin of the legs above named may 
be to a great extent prevented by the adoption of a plan of 
management which is perfectly simple, and at the same time 
effectual, as the experience of many years has shown. Ordinarily, 
horses on returning from work have their legs, and probably 
a portion of their bodies, scraped and washed. The subsequent 
process of drying, if attempted at all, is imperfectly performed, 
and the surface of the skin is left moist and cold, until the 
natural heat of the body causes the evaporation of the moisture 
