MANGE. 375 



scarf-skin. The acari which are the active agents in the production of 

 this disease, are of two kinds, called respectively, the Sarcoptes and Per- 

 modeotes equi. The latter parasite is the more common ; but, as the 

 ravages caused by both are similar, further description is unnecessary. 

 The insects are so small, that they cannot be seen by the naked eye, but 

 they may be discovered by the aid of the microscope or even of the 

 pocket lens. The attacks of these animalculi cause irritation and itching 

 of the skin ; and, as a result, the hair falls off in patches. 



It is important to bear in mind, first, that Mange is not primarily a 

 skin disease, but the result of insects being allowed to lodge in the skin ; 

 and, secondly, that the skin, either from want of grooming, or from 

 poverty of the blood or system, or from the effect of unsuitable food, or 

 from some or all of these causes, is generally, and perhaps we might 

 safely say, must be in an unhealthy state, before it is in a condition suit- 

 able for these parasites to live in and breed. 



Young horses taken up from grass, especially if poor, are sometimes 

 found to be affected with the mange insect, but more commonly with lice. 



769. Mange, a sure sign of neglect or mismanagement. 



Mange never occurs in healthy, well groomed, well fed horses. It is a 

 sure sign of neglect and dirt, or of injudicious feeding, or of bad manage- 

 ment of some sort. The owner will do well to change his servants, when- 

 ever this disease appears in his stable. 



770. Mange, not contagious among healthy, well groomed horses. 



Mange is not contagious among healthy and well groomed horses. It 

 is very possible, that some of the insects may find their way from a dis- 

 eased to a neighbouring healthy horse. But they will not remain, they 

 will not lodge permanently, still less will they breed, in a skin to which 

 the brush is well applied and in which they are in consequence disturbed 

 two or three times a day. 



Horses, however, in a debilitated or neglected state are very susceptible 

 to this disease, and among such it is very readily transmitted from one 

 to another. Hence, when circumstances, which are more or less common 

 to all the animals in a stable or camp, engender this disease in one horse, 

 it is necessary that he should at once be separated from the others. The 

 brushes and clothing must also be kept separate. 



771. Signs of Mange. 



Mange usually commences at the roots of the hair of the mane and tail. 

 As stated above, it is caused by the presence of insects. Multitudes of 

 minute pustules appear, whose summits gradually expand into vesicles, 

 which burst and coalesce with one another, and by their united discharges 

 form patches of encrustation upon the skin. At these patches the hair 

 loosens at its roots, and either falls out, or it rubbed off from time to 

 time, and at length ^the place is left bare. The follicles of the hair 

 desquamate in the form of bran-like scales or meal dust. 



