PREVENTION AND FIRST AID TREATMENT OF DISEASE. 309 



2. Disitifection. — Strict cleanliness of lines, gear, water troughs, Disinfec- 



feeding boxes and bags, and personal cleanliness of attendants tion. 

 is in itself a good safeguard against the spread of disease. 



To disinfect opoi Hjics. — Scrape off the top layer of earth, strew the To disin- 

 lines with litter, mix the scrapings with it and burn over the j^?^^ °P^" 

 whole surface. Wood-work may be scraped and sprayed or 

 washed with boiling water and a mop. Any disinfectant of 

 recognised quality may be added to the water, or the wood 

 may be painted with boiling tar ; this latter being an excellent 

 method and easy to keep clean subsequently. Whitewash, 

 which is so often used, is frequently put on without the old 

 coats being scraped off, and at the best is not a good 

 disinfectant. Quicklime or chloride of lime may be mixed with 

 loose earth to disinfect it ; but in all cases where it can be used 

 fire is the surest agent to employ if done thoroughly, and by 

 means of the painters' lamp it can be employed almost 

 universally. 



Walls may be sprayed or scraped and scalded, scorched or tarred. Walls. 



Enclosed buildings after being scraped may be shut up with 

 sulphur burning in them. To do this successfully, proceed 

 as follows : — Shut up all doors and windows, place the sulphur 

 on a dish and wet it thoroughly with spirits of wine, then light it 

 and leave it to burn. Keep the building closed for some hours. 



Ironwork of saddlery^ etc., can be passed through a flame, and all Ironwork 

 grooming kit and blankets should be soaked in a reliable ^f " 

 disinfectant. Anything not worth the trouble or expense, such ^^^' 

 as old lining of saddles or stuffing, brushes, etc., should be 

 burnt. The personal disinfection of attendants and their clothes 

 should not escape attention, as they are liable to carry the 

 disease in some cases, particularly when dealing with mange, 

 epizootic lymphangitis and rinderpest. 



3. Inspections of all healthy and suspected animals should be carried Inspec- 



out daily, and in cases where it may be a guide the temperature tions. 

 of suspected animals should be recorded. 



4. Destruction and disposal of dead.— To shoot the horse, use a pistol Destruc- 



for choice. If obliged to use the small bore rifle, be very ^^°" ^^"JJ ^^ 

 careful that no one is standing within sight anywhere behind ^^^^^ ^ 

 the animal, as the bullets are apt to come out and traverse 

 considerable distances. Stand close with the pistol, almost 

 touching the forehead, and held at a right angle to the head. 

 The head can be brought into a convenient position by offering 



