MANGE. 307 



doing to the poor animals, and rendering them weak and 

 useless for life. Their limited supply of food weakens all 

 their digestive functions, which no after feeding can possibly 

 restore. 



It has often been found that a severe surfeit which has 

 been neglected ends in mange. Contagion is also a fruitful 

 cause of the complaint, as there is no malady with which 

 the horse is afflicted more highly contagious than this. It 

 appears to be communicated by the very slightest contact ; 

 and if it breaks out in a stable where there are other 

 horses, generally attacks them all, if they are not speedily 

 removed. Grooms should be very careful not to use the 

 same currycomb to a diseased and to a healthy horse indis- 

 criminately, neither should the same brush be used. 



Remedies. — Bleeding is serviceable in mange, that is, if it 

 proceeds from surfeit, contagion, or other circumstances, 

 when the animal is in good condition ; but if it is the 

 result of poverty, or if the animal is low in flesh, it must 

 on no account be resorted to, as it will rather increase than 

 diminish the complaint. Physic is also indispensably neces- 

 sary. It has been found that mercury is a useful medicine 

 in mange ; although internal remedies alone will never 

 remove the complaint : an external application must be 

 had recourse to. 



If mange is not severe in its earlier stages, the following 

 will generally remove the complaint : — 



Barbadoes aloes . • 1"2 drachm, 

 Calomel ... 1 drachm ; 



to be given in the form of a ball, mixed with a little 

 lintseed-meal and treacle. Afterwards the skin of the 

 animal must be rubbed with the following composi- 

 tion : — 



