Scabies of the Horse. 939 



comes visible ; the thick crusts contain mite burrows. In such 

 cases the condition of the affected animal visibly declines, 

 cachexia may develop and lead to complete exhaustion. 



The sarcoptes mange extends very rapidly unless it is ar- 

 rested by painstaking cleanliness and proper treatment, so that 

 the greater part of the body may be attacked in 4 to 6 weeks 

 after the first s^^nptoms make their appearance. Its injurious 

 effect on the whole organism is especially pronounced in old 



Fig. 142, f^arcoptic mange in the horse. 



and poorly fed horses, yet even under favorable conditions it is 

 a serious disease, necessitating energetic and protracted treat- 

 ment; in severe cases a cure is generally impossible. 



^ Persons, especially the attendants of affected animals, may 

 easily be infected by mangy horses (on the hands and arms or 

 even the body). 



2. Dermatocoptic Scab. The dermatocoptes mite, living 

 on the surface of the skin, prefers the more protected parts of 



