DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 595 



be well remembered that one ox afflicted with this complaint 

 will spread the disorder throughout the members of a herd, and 

 hence any ox observed to riib itself on account of being mangy 

 should at once be removed from the rest, and set apart to be 

 cured. All clothing and other things which have been in con- 

 tact with a mangy ox should be either destroyed or well purified 

 by submitting them to the influence of moist heat. 



Treatment. — The skin should first be well washed with soft 

 soap and warm water. Some of the preparations used for the 

 cure of this disease are very poisonous, and apt to work far more 

 damage than the disease itself. Tar, or infusions of stavesacre 

 or of tobacco, are safe remedial agents. A change of the appli- 

 cation is sometimes advisable. Sulphur ointment (made of one 

 part of sublimed sulphur mixed with four parts of benzoated lard) 

 if thoroughly applied every other day or even twice a week for a 

 sufficiently long time over the skin, but, of course, especially on 

 and near the parts afiected, will be found to be an efficacious, 

 reliable, and pefectly safe remedy. 



Mr. J. K. Dobson, M.R.C.V.S., in his valuable little book on 

 The Oxy recommended a preparation made up of equal parts of 

 oil of tar, oil of turpentine, and linseed oil, well mixed, and well 

 rubbed into the skin by means of a brush every day. Before 

 each dressing, the skin should be well washed with carbolic acid 

 soap and warm water. Many owners of stock find it imprac- 

 ticable to have animals dressed with sufficient frequency and due 

 care ; but mange is a disorder which cannot be cured except by 

 frequent applications, continued for some length of time. A 

 good preparation may be made of sulphur (1 oz.). oil of 

 stavesacre (1 fluid drachm), and of lard (2 oz.). 



" PHTHIRIASIS, OR LOUSINESS." 

 Lice are liable to afl'ect oxen. There are several diff'erent 

 kinds. If the skin be washed with infusion of tobacco, the lice 

 may gradually be poisoned. Before each dressing, the skin 

 should be well washed. Care must be taken that these pests do 

 not get on to the skin of men, or animals which may be 

 near. Another useful preparation may be made by boiling 

 stavesacre seeds with soft soap and water, or by taking five 

 ounces of stavesacre seeds and boiling in a gallon of water, 

 until only about two quarts remain. 



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