388 CYCLOPEDIA OP LIVE STOCK AND COMPLETE STOCK DOCTOR. 



XXrV. Warts. 



Description. — Warts arc small, rugous, mammillary tumors of very 

 little vitality. They may come on any part of the body, but usually 

 come in the greatest numbers and most frequently 

 on the head. They are composed of filaments that 

 are semi-fil)rous, and are rooted in the skin. Some- 

 times they are tough and hard ; at other times 

 they are soft, and bleed easily. They are flat or 

 pedunculated. 



What to do, — If they are pedunculated, clip 

 them off with a pair of scissors, or tie them off 

 with a silk thread ; then, when done bleeding, cau- 

 terize tiieni Avith lunar caustic, or touch them with 

 HEAD COVERED WITH a rcd-hot irou. The latter may be resorted to, to 

 wAurs. g^^^p ^j^g bleeding if necessary. If they are flat, 



burn d^em with mtric acid once a day, till they are destroyed. When 

 well burned down, grease them once a day with fresh lard. It may be 

 added that attempts at charming them off do not generally succeed. 



XXV. Rat-Tail. 



This is loss of the hair of the tail, from disease, destroying 

 the hair follicles, and leaving nothing to reproduce hair from ; conse- 

 quently it is incurable. It is called rat tail, from its resemblance to the 

 caudal extremity of a rat. Sometimes a rat tail is not so bad but that it 

 will pass for a light tail, and sometimes there are only half a dozen hairs, 

 nearly ruining the appearance of an otherwise good looking horse. 



XXVI. Itchy Tail. 



This is an itchy condition of the tail at its origin or dock. 



Causes- — It is caused either by filth, surfeit, worms in the rectum, 

 mange, or some other parasitic disease. 



How to know it- — The horse is continually rubbing his tail against 

 posts, the fence, or anything he can reach, till he rubs off nearly aH the 

 hair from the dock. 



What to do- — Wash it well with soap and water once a day, and satu- 

 rate the hair with a strong lotion of salt each time. If that does not cure, 

 give injections of salt and water, and apply lotion No. 24, to the tail 

 three times a day. If that does not effect a cure, give the horse a purg- 

 ing ball. No. 23 ; and use lotion No. 32 on the tail. 



