General [General]
The principal seat of this disease is in the lower part of the hind legs; it is however at times met with in the fore legs. There appears to be in some horses a hereditary tendency to grease, in others it is brought on by improper food; horses that eat large quantities of beans are frequently troubled with it. It sometimes makes its appearance in the form of a swelling makes its appearance in the form of a swelling after standing sometime in the stable; at other times it is first observed by a scurfy eruption at the heels; after a time the skin cracks and discharges at first a thin clear fluid, but it soon becomes thick and frothy; after a time if the disease is allowed to go on unchecked, small red flat-headed elevations make their appearance, which gradually increase in size till they become as big as the end of one’s finger, and hang like clusters of grapes of a reddish blue or black colour, and bleed from the least touch and emit a most loathsome smell.
REMEDIES: Thuja occidentalis, Secale cornutum, Arsenicum, Mercurius vivus and Sulphur.
Thuja occidentalis [Thuj]
Thuja occidentalis, both internally and externally, if there are bluish or brownish excrescences, which bleed on the least touch, and there is a discharge of foetid ichor.
Dose. Six drops three times a day, at the same time the parts may be bathed with the strong tincture night and morning.
Secale cor [Sec]
Secale cornutum and Arsenicum, may be used in alternation, if there is a watery swelling or dark-looking ulcers, with foetid discharge.
Dose. The same as directed for Thuja occidentalis internally.
Mercurius vivus [Merc-v]
Mercurius vivus, when there are numerous small ulcers, that discharge a thick matter, and bleed when touched.
Dose. Six or eight drops twice a day.
Sulphur [Sulph]
It is necessary to give a dose of Sulphur once a week during the treatment, and keep the legs clean by washing them with warm water.
