One peculiarity, witnessed during grease, has not been indicated in the above illustrations. It has been purposely omitted, because, though invariably attendant upon the disorder, it in reality forms no part of the malady, being only a sympathetic effect. The cutis is continuous with the coronet and lamina, which secrete the outward horn of the hoof. Any disease fixing upon the one, of course cannot but affect the other. The irritation which involves the skin of the leg, therefore, necessarily stimulates the growth of the foot. The hoof of a greasy leg, from this cause, often becomes of enormous dimensions but this peculiarity has not been noticed, because it was desired to keep the attention of the reader fixed wholly upon the more immediate symptoms of the loathsome affection.
The remedy for grease is simple enough. Indeed, did not a sense of duty oblige it to be resorted to, the smell would, in the majority of persons, induce it to be employed. In the first place, clip off the hair—if any remains to be cut off. The natural protector of the heels now can conserve nothing. It can only heat the skin and retain the discharge. This being accomplished, if the leg merely be hot and scurfy, have it thoroughly cleansed with curd soap and warm water. Then a cloth, saturated with the lotion for the earliest stage of grease, should be laid upon the inflamed integument. This should be removed so soon as it becomes warm, and another, also dripping, should immediately supply its place. Thus a wet, cold cloth should constantly cover the part till the heat is destroyed, or at all events is greatly mitigated.
For this purpose, two men are required, one to remove and the other to apply. Four old cloths will be necessary. These, when removed, should be flung over a line, so that as large a space as possible may be exposed to the cooling action of the atmosphere. There is nothing so disagreeable in performing this office as might at first appear. The active agent of the lotion is a powerful disinfectant and deodorizer. The first cloth removes almost all the fetor, and hanging the wrappers subsequently over the line effectually purifies the atmosphere. The part being reduced to a comparatively natural temperature, the after-treatment consists in renewing the cloths so often as the heat returns; and in otherwise moistening the limb with some of the subjoined lotion thrice daily:—
Lotion for the earliest stage of Grease.
| Animal glycerin | Half a pint. |
| Chloride of zinc | Half an ounce. |
| Water | Six quarts. |
| To be employed after the manner already directed. |
When the cracks, with ulceration, appear, the previous lotion is too weak to be of much service; but the same treatment must be adopted: only one of the lotions subsequently given should then be used:—
Lotion for the ulcerative stage of Grease.
| Permanganate of potash or phosphoric acid | One pint. |
| Water | Six quarts. |
Or—
| Chloride of zinc | One ounce. |
| Creosote | Four ounces. |
| Strong solution of oak bark | One gallon. |
| Both to be used after the manner of the previous solution. |