the Animals of the Farm. 
251 
at the cost of a large expenditure of heat. Considerable disturb- 
ance of the function of the skin may be traced to the effects of the 
evaporation. The occurrence of mud fever, and the different 
forms of disease which have been mentioned, is thus explained. 
A happy inspiration induced some one to adopt the expedient 
of leaving the wet mud on the legs of the horse returned from 
work, to form a protective covering while the drying process was 
proceeding. On the following morning the dried mud was 
brushed off without difficulty, and forthwith " chapped heels," 
" mud fever," and " grease," ceased to appear in the stables 
where this plan was adopted. 
Further experience has shown that if mud can be washed off 
at once by driving the animal into a pond, and then continuing 
the journey home, no harm results. The mischief is done by 
the washing, especially if warm water is used, when the animal 
has arrived home, and is to remain stationary for the night in 
the stable. 
In the case of hunters, it is considered advisable to wrap the 
muddy legs in flannel bandages ; haybands will form an 
effective substitute in the case of the farm-horse, but the essential 
thing is to refrain from any washing or attempt to remove the 
mud until it is dry enough to be brushed off. 
When cracked heels or mud fever have actually occurred, a 
very useful application for the relief of irritation will be found 
in a mixture of vaseline, 8 parts, with trisnitrate of bismuth, 
or white lead, or oxide of zinc, 1 part, which may be kept ready 
for use, and applied once or twice a day. 
Bruises, whether associated with wounds or not, generally 
induce a certain degree of inflammation, with its necessary 
accompaniments of heat, pain, and swelling. Under these 
conditions, hot or cold applications are in favour with different 
people, irrespectively of the actual state of the damaged parts, 
which may render one of the remedies highly injurious, while 
the other would prove especially beneficial. 
Cold lotions are most effective in cases of recent injury, before 
swelling has commenced ; and to obtain the full benefit of the 
remedy its application should be continuous until the desired 
effect has been produced. A temporary cessation of the treat- 
ment would permit the occurrence of vascular reaction, and all 
the preventive effects of the remedy would be lost. 
Hot fomentations are absolutely necessary when inflammation 
has commenced. The object then is to soften the injured parts 
and promote exudation, which will relieve the overcharged 
vessels. Cold applications in the active inflammatory stage 
inflict unnecessary pain, and retard rather than assist the cure. 
Wounds which are associated with bruises do not heal 
