154 Js^AYIN ON THE HORSE. 



form in the hair, dry up and come off, taking the hair with 

 them. Sometimes these himps are attended with much itch- 

 ing. They may come out very suddenly, and occasionally go 

 away quite as quick as they came ; in such cases, the horse is 

 very liable to be attacked soon again. 



Causes. — It seems to me that the cause of this disease is a 

 derangement of the stomach or digestive organs, and then the 

 horse becoming suddenly chilled. Musty or mow-burnt hay 

 is said to cause it ; also, some poisonous herbs. The drinking 

 of cold water, when the horse is hot, is thought by some" to 

 cause surfeit. A neglected surfeit may degenerate or run into 

 mange. 



Surfeit may be mistaken for mange or button-farcy. It may 

 be known from mange by trying the short hairs at the roots of 

 the mane. If the case be mange, they will be loose and come 

 out; if surfeit, in their natural condition. In mange, the skin 

 is thick, very scurfy, and puckered; in surfeit, the skin is in 

 nearly its natural condition, except in old and neglected cases. 



Surfeit will be known from button-farcy by the shape of the 

 farcy-buds, which are somewhat fiat on top, and have thick 

 edges, and feel like a button in the skin. Farcy-buds generally 

 appear first on the inside of the thighs and fore-legs, while sur- 

 feit-pimples are seldom found in these places. 



Treatment. — In the first start, bleed from three to five quarts; 

 then the following alterative prescription should be given : 



Take — Powdered niter 3 drams. 



Powdered sulphur 4 drams. 



Powdered poplar bark 1 ounce. 



Powdered black sulphate of antimony. . ..2 drams. 

 Mix. The above is to be given every night, in a bran mash, with a pint 

 of flax-seed tea. 



The horse should be warndy clothed and have gentle exer- 

 cise. His diet should be light — green food, if to be had ; if 

 not, bran and shorts. If it does not improve on this treat- 



