766 
DISEASES OF THE LIMBS. 
repeated, it is of little moment, and recovery rapidly follows. Diffuse 
inflammation of the subcutis in horses is also usually mild. The 
swelling appears suddenly, and increases for two to three days, during 
which pain is marked, and some fever exists; the swelling, pain, and 
fevei then begin to diminish, and in about eight to ten days the animal 
is convalescent. Permanent blemishes are rare, but under some circum¬ 
stances, especially if the cellulitis has been caused by infection with a 
particularly virulent micro-organism, abscesses form in the upper parts 
of the limb, severe fever sets in, septicaemia or pyaemia develops, and 
soon leads to death. Luckily, such complications are not frequent. 
Subfascial cellulitis is graver, either when confined to the fetlock or 
coronet, or when appearing in a diffuse form. In the first case a 
circumsciibed, very painful swelling develops around the fetlock-joint, 
and after eight to fourteen days, or sometimes longer, breaks and dis¬ 
charges a very offensive pus, mixed with fragments of necrotic tissue ; 
the pam then diminishes, and recovery occurs. Sometimes the abscess 
le-foims, and the disease may then last for a longer time. 
Put if, instead of discharging outwardly, the abscess breaks into the 
fetlock-joint, purulent inflammation of the joint-cavity occurs, the pain 
and fever increase, no weight whatever can be borne on the limb, and 
even slight rotary movements of the foot produce severe suffering. The 
condition is then incurable. Injuries to the coronet may in a°similar 
way be followed by purulent inflammation of the pedal or coronet joints 
and cellulitis extend to the sheaths of the flexor pedis perforans and 
perforatus tendons, with equally fatal results. 
ihe course which skin gangrene takes depends on the amount of 
surface implicated. Extension of necrosis inwards is especially dangerous, 
because the parts above mentioned may be attacked as in purulent 
cellulitis. (For complications resulting from the verrucous form of 
grease, see that section.) 
Sometimes sinuses form, the granulations which follow perforation of 
the abscess uniting again, whilst necrotic pieces of tissue are left in the 
depths. 1 lie subcutaneous fascia then plays a similar part to the 
lateral cartilage in ordinary quitter. Such sinuses are often extremely 
. Treatment - Among the most important preventive measures is atten¬ 
tion to the horse’s general condition and to feeding. Young horses 
should be gradually brought into work, and not be called on for great 
or continued exertion until their muscular system is properly developed, 
l o prevent striking, special attention should be paid to the shoeing, and 
the application of a so-called “ cutting-shoe ” will be found very useful 
especially ^ on the hind feet. (A very full description of shoes for 
cutting” and “brushing” will be found in Dollar and Wheatley’s 
