710 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



thin, and to lose liis condition for work from tlie gradual wasting 

 of his powers." 



An interesting letter was published by Mr. Henderson, of 

 London, immediately after M. Bouley's communication. Messrs. 

 Moon, Woodger, and others have since drawn attention to the 

 matter: all agree that the parasite causing this disease is the 

 hen-louse, and that the horse becomes subject to the annoyance 

 from being stabled near hen-houses. 



Treatment. — Eemove the cause, and wash the animal with 

 a decoction of tobacco or staphysagria ; whitewash the stables, 

 and observe cleanliness. 



FLEAS — ^PULEX lERITANS. 



Dogs are much troubled with the common ilea ; and the best 

 remedy for it is the Persian insect powder. Its prevention 

 should, however, be made the primary object ; and this can only 

 be attained by attention to cleanliness. JSTot only is the dog to 

 be repeatedly washed, but also its kennel ; and instead of straw, 

 sawdust, especially pine sawdust, should be used as litter. 



TICKS. 



Ticks belong to the order Acarida (Acarida magna), and family 

 Ixodiadce. They are found on the skins of horses, cattle, sheep, and 

 dogs. Some have their mouths in the form of a sucker, by which 

 they fasten on the skin ; others are free, and have no sucker. They 

 attach themselves to the skin so deeply and firmly, that it is 

 impossible to remove them without tearing away the skin to 

 which they are fixed, and they multiply so rapidly in hot 

 climates that animals have been known to die from exhaus- 

 tion. For further information on the natural history of those 

 parasites, I beg to refer the reader to Kuchenmeister. They 

 generally attach themselves to the jaws, belly, between the 

 thighs, under the tail, and other parts of the animal least pro- 

 tected by hair. 



The proper treatment for their destruction is to cut off their 

 bodies with a pair of sharp scissors, or to kill them with oil of 

 turpentine. 



The common sheep-ticJc, or ked, as it is called in Scotland, 



