>76 CHAPTER 51. 



Upon these patches small red spots may frequently be seen, owing to 

 the crust being rubbed off the pustules, and consequent exposure of the 

 inflamed cut is. 



The skin loses its elasticity, and becomes corrugated in harsh arid 

 folds, especially about the neck and sides. Sometimes blood oozes from 

 the bare places. The disease is accompanied with intolerable itching. 



772. Treatment. 



The treatment of Mange, so far as killing the insects, is very simple. 

 The coat, if long, should be removed by clipping, and the skin must be 

 thoroughly washed with warm soft water and soap, and after being care- 

 fully dried may be dressed with the following liniments. Oil of tar four 

 ounces, common oil one pint, powdered sulphur four ounces. Mix and 

 apply to every part of the skin with a soft brush. The dressing may be 

 repeated on the following day, and allowed to remain on for three or four 

 days, when it may be thoroughly washed off. Any slight irritation that 

 may remain can be allayed by bathing the part with a lotion composed 

 of sulphuric acid two drachms, water one pint. If the skin is inclined to 

 crack or become rough it should be lubricated with a little vaseline or 

 glycerine. 



Many practitioners advocate a strong infusion of tobacco with the addi- 

 tion of glycerine as a mange dressing, while others recommend a lotion 

 composed of one part of carbolic acid to twenty parts of water. 



Some of the patent sheep dipping preparations also are very effectual. 



The animal's head must be tied up to prevent his biting himself. 



After washing the skin, if clothing is worn, a linen sheet must be 

 placed under the rugs to prevent irritation. 



In slight and recent cases the skin will soon recover its tone, when the 

 insects are got rid of, and in most cases the hair will grow again. But 

 when the disease is of long standing, or has been engendered, as is usually 

 the case, by neglect, bad grooming, bad feeding, or poverty, or at least is 

 complicated with low condition arising from these causes, the skin is 

 not easily restored to a healthy condition, even though the insects have 

 been got rid of. 



Besides the above local remedies, it will be necessary to act on the 

 constitution by invigorating it in every way by the best food and tonics. 

 A change of diet is always very desirable. Green, meat, which by reason 

 of its laxative qualities lessens the irritability of the skin, should always 

 be given if procurable. Pale malt (except when the animal has been pre- 

 viously kept on barley, or boiled linseed answers well. 



Horses are often a long-time before they recover their condition after 

 an attack of mange ; but this is quite as much due to the fact that the 

 animals had been neglected and were probably in a debilitated state 

 before they were attacked, as to the effect of the disease. 



Though the disease is not contagious among well-cared-for horses, yet 

 it runs quickly through those, which are out of condition, ill-fed and 

 weak. 



