SCRATCHES
—are cracks in the heels of horses, which are originally produced by the changes of weather, and their being left with wet heels in the winter season. These, when long neglected, assume a degree of virulence, and, from small, and almost imperceptible cracks, become clefts with ragged edges, acquiring, by degrees, a kind of fungous callosity. From these a fœtid oily ichor is discharged, attended with an inflamed tension of the fetlock-joints, and so much constant pain, that the horse is unwilling to move in his stall, unless compelled so to do; and when a leg is lifted from the ground, he suspends it for some time, in a seeming state of misery, from the fear of putting it again to the ground. The cure consists solely in daily fomentations of warm, well-boiled, gelatinous gruel, with a sponge; followed by linseed poultices; dressings of digestive ointment; a few DIURETIC BALLS, given three days apart; and, lastly, a course of ALTERATIVE POWDERS, to obtund and correct the acrimony in the blood. If they have been permitted, by neglect and inattention, to reach their most inveterate state, displaying prominent fungous warts, or small tetters, mild escharotics, or instrumental scarifications, must be brought into use; without one or both of which, an early or certain cure will not be obtained.