North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1863-04-15
If armGr's Gnl II Ill II.
:. SCRATCHES" IN HORSES.


This disease. called also grease in England and
in some parts of this country often attack the heels
and legs of neglected horses and though easily pre-
vented is difficult to cure, if Of long standing. 1t
commences with inflammation of the oil glands Of the
skin about the hind feet. These vessels, named Sa-
baerouS glands, supply fluid to soften the skin and
prevent its cracking. These glands are especially
neede and very active about the hind feet of the
horse, whore by frequent exercise of the parts the
skin is subject to almost constant alternate wrink-
ling and expansion. The toughest leather would
yield under such treatment unless kept we'll soften
ed by oiling. The oil glands may become nfamed
by sudden cold, when horse after exercise over
wet roads is allowed to stand in the stable without
cleaning and drying the hair about the feet The
animal being warm moisture rapidly evaporates and
carries with it the heat from the neighboring parts
congestion ensues, and inflammation commences 1t
may be slight at frst but by neglect it will Be like
ly to extendSand affect the surrounding surface and
also the deeper seated structures resulting in es-
order disgusting in its appearance and painful to the
horse. Grit may be caused by standing On o filthy
stable floor in wet straw and excrements, the mos-
ture from which not only produces cold but from its
nature rritates the skin, thereby including the dis
ease.
Asit progresses, the hair drops off, the heels
swell, the skin assumes glazed appearance g cov-
cred with Pustules and omits unctuous discharge
which soon becomes very offensive, Unless properly
treated the log halfway to the hook is crusted
with thick, horny scabs, divided by deep cracks
when the affection is scarcely curable. Prevention
is found in clean stables and in thorough drying and
rubbing of the legs after the horse has been used
Close clipping of the hair which ordinarily grows
long about the legs deprives these parts of their
natural protection, rendering them moro liable to
the scratches, and is therefore Objectionable
If the disease unfortunately appears, Herbert rec
ommends to clip off all the hair from the affected
parts, and thoroughly cleanse them with warm wa
ter and CASTLE soap. Then apply flannel bandage
evenly over the limb and frequently mosten it with
warm water allowing it to dry the part. To soft
en- the skin, apply ointment of one drachm of su-
gar of lead in of lard If there are cracks
wash them with solution of four ounces of alum in
pint Of water. Feed the horse on bran. masbes
carrots, and green feed and if there be much infa
nation after day or two, administer ball of four
or five drachms of aloes.
Ifthe disease he's reached the second stage. three
doses of physic at intervals of two days will be need
cd. The best application of the heels will be poul
tice made of boiled and mashed carrots put on toer
ably hot. 1t can be conveniently applied by draw
ing an old stocking leg the leg, confping it at
the fotlock joint, and filing it from above with the
poultice. When this is removed, annoint the heels
with an ointment of one part Of rosn three parts of
lard melted together, and part of calamine pow
der added when the first mixture is cooing.-A,ner-
lean Agriculturist.