The Russellville Democrat., 1889-02-28
TO CURE SCRATCHES.
A Treatment Recommended by Ex
 perienced Veterinary Surgeon.

A Treatment Recommended by an Ex. perienced Veterinary Surgeon.
 This complaint, usually called grease by veterinary surgeons, prevails most extensively during spring and fall when the roads and streets are wet and there are sudden changes in the weather. The chief causes of scratches are exposure to mud and water. It is believed that farmers horses are less subject to this disease than others, yet if they are compeled to wade through mud or filthy yards, or stand in mud while drinking, they are pretty sure to suffer from scratches sooner or later. In speaking of this disease, if it may be termed such, Youatt remarks that there Is a pecullarity about the skin and heel of the horse. In its healthy state there is a secretion of greasy mat ter from it, in order to prevent excoria- tion and chapping. This renders the skin soft and pliable. Too often, how ever, from bad management, the secre- tion of this greasy matter is stop ped and the skin of the heel becomes red, dry and scurfy, the joint still continuing to be ex- tended and fiexed, cracks of the skin begin to appear These, If neglected, rapidly extend. and the heel soon be- comes a mass of soreness, Liberation, and finally tunges. The distance of the heel from the center of circulation and the position of the hind limbs rem der the return of blood slow and diff fcult. There is also more variation of temperature here than any other part of the frame. As the horse stands in the stable the heat of this part is too often increased by its being imbedded in straw. When the stable door is opened'the heels are nearest to it, and receive first and most powerfully the cold current of air. When he is taken from the stable to work, the heels are frequently covered with mire and wet, aud they are often and most intensely chilled by the long and slow process of evaporation which is taking place from them. No one can wonder then at the frequency with which the heels are attacked by inflammation and the difficulty there is in subduing it."
 Many horsemen believe that scratches result from impurities in the system, and treat internally. Others still con tend that it is a local complaint, and can be cured only by local treatment If the animals attacked are out of con dition, it will be found much more diffi- cult to effect cure than in healthy ones. The following treatment is rec commended by an experienced veteri- nary surgeon as the best he can suggest: Take blue Wtriol, two ounces; borax, one ounce. Dissolve in one quart cider vinegar. Apply this to the heels every night after first washing with caSbolic acid, and water can be used if soap can not be obtained. The solution is made by mixing ono part carbolic acid in crystals with one hun dred soft water. Give tablespoonful of gluber salts and teaspoon even full (not heaped) of saltpeter every third night with the grain ration. It is better to | dissolve the salts and saltpeter in a small quantity of warm water, then mix the solution with the mash or oats
 Avoid getting the animal into mud or water as much as possible, American Cultiyator.