ITCHY TAIL 585 



answers well enough, and is to be recommended in hot climates, where raw 

 surfaces are so likely to be poisoned by flies. A wash of glycerine and 

 Goulard water is also calculated to allay irritation and heal the abraded 

 surface. The diet should be carefully considei-ed, and any doubtful meal or hay 

 rejected and grass or bran mashes given, and a dose of aloes in the form of 

 a physic ball. The attack generally passes off in a few days under a suitable 

 regime. 



There are some itchinesses, if we may be allowed to coin the term, which 

 do not fall into any of the squares marked out by pathologists, and treat- 

 ment must be experimental. Now and again a chronic case will suddenly 

 yield to washings with sulphuretted potash, and cover the prescriber with 

 glory, when all the Erasmus Wilsons of the stable have failed. It is a 

 filthy compound, but has a place in the Pharmacopoeia, and is used for some 

 intractable skin diseases of men. 



ITCHY TAIL 



This ANNOYma and disfiguring malady is one of the itchinesses which have 

 not yet had a parasite or a bacillus definitely assigned to it. Captain Hayes, 

 in his Veterinary Notes, throws a wide pathological net over it, thus — " The 

 animal is usually prompted to do this (rub the tail) by skin disease — • 

 parasitic or non-parasitic — of the part, or by reflex irritation, such as that 

 due to worms.'' If we add ennui nothing more need be said except how 

 best to allay the itching. Thoroughly washing with an abundance of soft 

 soap, and plentiful rinsings followed by a lotion composed of hydrocyanic 

 acid 2 drachms, solution of potash (liquor potassce) 4 drachms, and water 

 1 quart. This should be poured on to the tail while it is held up, so 

 that the lotion does not run off, but among the roots of the hairs. 



If parasites are known to be within the rectum the usual remedies may 

 be adopted (see Bots). We have known horses to stop rubbing with no 

 other treatment but the introduction of a little lard or vaseline, when it 

 may be assumed that some dryness or itching within the spliincter has been 

 the cause of rubbing. 



Bandaging the tail or encasing it with leather helps to preserve its 

 appearance, if it does little to stop the habit, but there is something, to me, 

 extremely ludicrous about a horse with his tail in what looks like a cax'bine 

 bucket, or even a bandage. 



MALLENDERS AND SALLENDERS 



These eruptions are both of the same nature, differing only in the locality 

 where they are displayed. The former shows itself in the flexure at the 

 back of the knee, and the latter at the bend of the hock. 



The Symjitoms are shown in the appearance of a foul scurf mixed with a 

 few thin scabs, the skin underneath being stiff and unyielding. They are 

 generally brought on by washing the legs and leaving them undried. 



The Treatment required is merely the application of the following ointment, 

 which should be well rubbed in every night : — 



Take of Cerate of Superacetate of Lead 2 ozs. 



Creosote 10 drops. Mix. 



