DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 455 



later to destroy all lice hatched from the nits in the interval. Build- 

 iug-s, clothes, etc., should be treated as for fleas. 



TARANTULA AND SCORPION. 



The bite of the first and the stinp^ of the second are poisonous, and 

 may be treated like other insect venom, by carbolated glycerin, or a 

 strong solution of ammonia, or permanganate of potash. 



SNAKE BITES. 



These are marked by the double incision caused by the two fang's, 

 by the excessive doughy (dark red) swelling around the wounds, and 

 in bad cases by the general S3^mptoms of giddiness, weakness, and 

 prostration. They are best treated bj^ enormous doses of alcohol, 

 whisky, or brandy, or by aqua ammonia ver}^ largely diluted in water, 

 the object being to sustain life until the poison shall have spent its 

 power. As local treatment, if the wound is in a limb, the latter may 

 have a handkerchief or cord tied around it above the injury and 

 drawn tight by a stick twisted into it. In this way absorption may be 

 checked until the poison can be destroyed by the application of a hot 

 iron or a piece of nitrate of silver or other caustic. A poultice of 

 tobacco leaves is a favorite remedy, and may be used to soothe the sore 

 after cauterization. 



BURNS AND SCALDS. 



For scalds the surface may be bathed with a solution of bicarbonate 

 of soda, sweetened or not by carbolic acid, or a weak solution of sugar 

 of lead ma}^ be used; or the surface may be dusted thickly with starch 

 or flour and covered with the cotton wool, or oil of turpentine may be 

 applied over the scalded skin. Burns are well treated by liniment 

 made of equal parts of lime water and linseed oil (Carron oil). For 

 both kinds of injuries, cosmoline 10 parts, and carbolic acid, 1 part, 

 proves an excellent dressing. Blisters should be pricked with a needle 

 and emptied to prevent their rupture and the exposures of the raw 

 surface. 



Severe burns, leading to destruction of very extensive patches of 

 skin, usually render a horse useless by reason of the contraction of the 

 resulting scar, hence the treatment of such is rarely advisable, unless 

 followed b}'^ a skillful plastic operation. In other cases a skillful trans- 

 planting of epidermis, shaved from a health}'" surface with a sharp 

 razor, will secure the healing of a granulating wound which has proved 

 obstinate to all other measures. In cases of burns with mineral acids 

 (sulphuric, nitric or h3^drochloric) avoid water, as that will develop 

 heat, and cover the surface with dry whiting or chalk, and only when 

 effervescence has ceased wash off with water. When the caustic has 

 been a salt (copperas, bluestone, chloride of zinc, etc.) apply limewater 



