314 REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



the affected membranes become black ; the pulse becomes more 

 frequent, feeble, and less distinct ; debility rapidly supervenes, 

 the animal totters and reels as he walks, and if he lives suf- 

 ficiently long becomes loathsome from the formation of ulcers in 

 various affected parts. 



The causes are to be found in those influences which produce 

 debility, as other irritating and lowering diseases ; inferior living 

 and inattention. These are the most common, but cases arise 

 when causes are not quite so recognizable, their history being of 

 a doubtful character and unreliable. 



Purpura Hemorrhagica is attended with fatal results in many 

 instances. We, therefore, can only pronounce favourably on the 

 issue of the case when fever abates, swellings are decreasing or 

 confined to the lower extremities, motion not particularly inter- 

 fered with, secretions and excretions resuming a natural tendency 

 of action, &c, &c. But if, on the contrary, the opposite state of 

 things go on and there are evidences of internal organs becoming 

 affected, the issue will be very doubtful indeed. 



Treatment. — Absolute purgation cannot be withstood. Mild 

 laxatives will answer if not too extensively used. Bleeding is 

 resorted to by many practitioners, with, however, questionable 

 benefit. Turpentine and the mineral acids are valuable medicines, 

 the former in one ounce doses in gruel, three times a day ; but 

 as it is likely to produce a discharge of blood by the urinary 

 organs, its use must be cautious and limited ; and the latter in 

 dram doses given three times a day in cold water or gruel. 



Preventive measures consist of avoiding those means whereby 

 a state of plethora is produced, particularly in young horses, for 

 the purpose of making up for fairs, &c, by this the system 

 becomes suddenly charged with material, which in the end pro- 

 duces a morbid condition of the blood, as well as avoiding other 

 diseases. 



Mange is an irritative state of the skin, local in its nature, 

 and dependent upon the ravages of an insect which causes itchi- 

 ness, ulceration, and suppuration, followed by an encrustation or 

 scabbing over the affected parts. 



It is highly contagious, owing to the passage of the insect or 

 its eggs, and their development on the surface of the body of 

 another individual. The parts affected are the sides of the neck, 

 under the mane, on the shoulder beneath the collar, and along 

 the back under the harness. 



The difference between the two forms of herpes already des- 

 cribed and mange is this — that mange continues to spread over 

 the surface, commencing from a central point, while herpes com- 

 mence in patches, one form of which has the tendency to become 

 confluent, though rarely does so. 



Treatment. — Sulphur, two ounces ; train oil, one pint ; spirits 



