r>52 MAxnE 



Veterinary Medical Association, we are indebted for tlieso and many other 

 most interesting particulars. 



The propriety of bleeding in cases of mange dej^ends on the condition 

 of the patient. If mange is the result of poverty, and the animal is much 

 debihtated, bleeding will increase the evil, and will probably deprive the 

 constitution of the power of rallying. Physic, however, is indispensable 

 in every case. It is the first step in the progi^ess towards cure. In this, 

 however, mange in the horse resembles itch in the human being — medi- 

 cine alone will never effect a cure. There must be some local application. 

 There is this additional similarity — that which is most effectual in curing 

 the itch in the human being must form the basis of every local application 

 for the cure of the mange in the horse. Sulphur is indispensable in every 

 unguent for mange. It is the sheet-anchor of the veterinary surgeon. In 

 an early and. not very acute state of mange, equal portions of sulphur, 

 turpentine, and train-oil, gently but well rubbed on the part, vsdll be ap- 

 plied with advantage. Farriers are fond of the black sulphur, but that 

 which consists of earthy matter, with the mere dregs of various sub- 

 stances, cannot be so effectual as the pure sublimed sulphur. A tolei'ably 

 stout brush, or even a currycomb, hghtly applied, should be used, in order 

 to remove the dandi-iff or scui'f, wherever there is any appearance of 

 mange. After that, the horse should be washed with strong soap and 

 water as far as the disease has extended ; and, when he has been thoroughly 

 dried, the ointment should be well rubbed in with the naked hand, or 

 with a piece of flannel. ]\Iore good will be done by a little of the oint- 

 ment being well rubbed in, than by a great deal being merely smeared 

 over the pai't. The rubbing should be daily repeated. 



The sulphur seems to have a direct influence on the disease — the tur- 

 pentine has an indirect one, by exciting some irritation on the skin of a 

 different nature from that produced by the mange, and under theinfl-jence 

 of which the irritation of mange will be diminished, and the disease more 

 easily combated. During the application of the ointment, and as soon as 

 the physic has set. an alterative ball or powder, similar to those recom- 

 mended for the other affections of the skin, should be daily given. If, 

 after some days have passed, no progress should appear to have been 

 made, half a pound of sulphur should be well mixed with a pint of oil of 

 tar, and the affected parts rubbed, as before. On every fifth or sixth day 

 the ointment should be washed off with warm soap and water. The pro- 

 gress towards cure will thus be ascertained, and the skin will be cleansed, 

 and its pores opened for the more effectual application of the ointment. 



The horse should be well supplied with nourishing, but not stimulating 

 food. As much green meat as he will eat should be given to him, or, what 

 is far better, he should be turned out, if the weather is not too cold. It 

 is necessary, however, to be assured that every mangy place has been 

 anointed. It will be prudent to give two or three dressings after the 

 horse has been apparently cured, and to continue the alteratives for ten 

 days or a fortnight. 



The cure being completed, the clothing of the horse should be well 

 soaked in water, to which a fortieth part of the saturated solution of the 

 chloride of lime has been added ; after which it should be washed with 

 soap and water, and again washed and soaked in a solution of the 

 chloride of lime. Every part of the harness should undergo a similar 

 purification. The currycomb may be scoured, but the brush should be 

 burned. The rack, and manger, and partitions, and every part of the 

 stable which the horse could possibly have touched, should be well washed 

 with a hair-broom — a pint of the chloride of lime being added to three 

 gallons of water. All the wood- work should then be scoui'ed with soap 



