698 DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



I^ Potass liquoris, . . jii. 



Hydrocyanic acidi, . . 3!. 



Aqua, .... Oii. 

 Mix, and apply to all the irritated parts of the skin. 



Pruritis of the tail is a very common form of the disease, and 

 seems to become a habit with some horses. Sometimes, how- 

 ever, it depends upon the presence of ascarides in the rectum. 

 The treatment consists in giving enemas of a decoction of quassia 

 to destroy the parasites, dressing the tail with mercurial oint- 

 ment, or with equal parts of parafiin and fish oil, and if the 

 disease affects the skin generally, give twice daily, flour sulph. 

 3ij., arsenicum gr. ij., mixed with the food; and when the 

 prurigo is a habit, the root of the tail must be protected by 

 a strong leather band, securely fastened whilst the animal is in 

 the stable. ^ 



ACNE 



Affects the sebaceous follicles of the skin generally, and appears 

 as pimples, commonly known as warbles or grubs in the skin. 

 The parts most frequently affected are the withers, back, and 

 neck, and more particularly the " root of the mane." The 

 eruption of acne begins as an elevation of variable size, the 

 summit of which suppurates, and remains for several days as a 

 pustule with an indurated base, leaving a swelling, which slowly 

 disappears. The disease is very prevalent in the spring, some- 

 times affecting the tail as well as the mane and neck. When 

 situated in parts which are liable to be chafed by the harness, 

 these pustules are very troublesome, often rendering it necessary 

 to throw the animal off work until they are quite healed. 



Harness lined with thick, coarse woollen cloth, is a cause of 

 this, as well as other sldn diseases ; and it may be mentioned here 

 that all harness ought to be lined with light smooth leather. 



TJie Treatment. — If the pimples are hard, and suppurate slowly, 

 poultices nicely applied are very useful ; but when inapplicable, 

 fomentations are to be employed, and the parts dressed with 

 the lead or zinc lotion. The general treatment is to be directed 

 to the removal of all constitutional causes of derangement, and 



* For circumscribed itcbings, the mercurial ointment is perhaps the best remedy 

 that can be applied ; but when the disordered siufacfe is extensive, it is dangerous 

 to use it, ami it must give way to a more harmless remedy. 



