DISEASES OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 43 



PARASITIC DISEASES. 



Ring- Worm. — Is caused by a parasite derived from a vegetable, 

 and consists in a parasitic growth of organized cells. It attacks all 

 animals, either in poor or in good condition. The parasites come in 

 contact with the skin in many ways, and burrow pretty deeply, and 

 generally affect the state of the hair, and appear upon any part of 

 the body, but especially upon the head and neck. They work in 

 rings, hence the name ring-worm. The coat is staring, and if the 

 disease is not checked, it will extend almost all over the body, and 

 may produce death. Ordinary ring- worms are communicable among 

 men one to another, and from the horse to man. If we make a close 

 examination we find a brownish elevation in the patches. The symp- 

 toms are the same as in cattle, but the patches may have larger eleva- 

 tions. These parasites are embedded about the roots of the hair. 



Treatment. — Iodine or iodide of potassium, one drachm each to one 

 ounce of lard. Wash well before applying the ointment ; or you may 

 use carbolic acid; touch the elevations with a pencil of nitrate of 

 silver, especially in cattle. Give constitutional treatment, especially 

 if the animal is in poor condition. It is more easily treated in cattle 

 and horses than in man. In 



Irritation of the skin, the result of lousiness, both in cattle and 

 horses, there is a dirty appearance of the coat. Improper grooming, 

 feeding, etc., may cause it. Horses in good condition or upon pasture 

 seldom have it. It is easily detected. It sets up much irritation, 

 preventing the animal from thriving. 



Treatment. — The animal affected should be separated from others. 

 Put him in a clean box ; have him well washed with soap and water ; 

 use carbolic acid, mercurial ointment ; just putting small patches 

 upon certain parts will do, just about the head, neck, tail, etc. Use 

 Stavesacre seed one ounce, white hellebore one ounce, put into one 

 gallon of water and boil to one quart. You will find great benefit from 

 clipping the horse, if in the spring of the year, and the coat is long. 



Poultry Lousiness, which appears to be an eczematic condition of 

 the skin. There is considerable irritation, greater than from horse 

 lice. The animal sometimes rubs himself to a great extent. Make a 

 close examination and you will notice lice, which are much smaller 

 than horse lice. They may appear at all seasons of the year. 



Treatment. — Remove the causes, take the horse from affected 

 stables You may clip the hair, especially if in the spring. You may 

 sometimes clip him all over. This is a very common affection. I 

 inquire where the animal has been standing ; if in close proximity to 

 poultry, remove the cause, and then "treat as for other lice. There is 

 sometimes considerable irritation set up by maggots They are the 

 larvae of the blue fly, and sometimes attack horses' ears in the United 

 States. Treat by cleansing the parts well ; then use carbolic acid 

 lotion, and keep up the application for some time ; tincture of benzoin, 

 and oil of tar, turpentine and linseed oil, etc. Cover and keep the 

 flies away from him. Ticks are also very annoying to some animals, 

 especially sheep. Brush thoroughly, and use any of the applications 

 I have given you. There are certain flies that are troublesome at 

 certain times of the year, and are more troublesome some years than 

 others ; not so troublesome to horses as cattle. Some years ago they 

 set up such an irritation that it was thought to be some disease. 

 They are most troublesome in August or September. The animals 

 will run into the water and then out ; and this, together with the irri- 



