306 The Care of Animals 



RUBBING THE MANE 



Itching of the skin at the roots of the mane is a 

 common annoying condition, and one that, in some cases, 

 is difficult to cure. The skin in the affected region 

 should be thoroughly cleaned with soap and water, 

 then dried and an iodin ointment rubbed well into 

 the skin. Give laxative food and Epsom salts (about 

 four ounces) once daily until the bowels are loosened. 



RUBBING THE TAIL 



The causes for this trouble may be the same as for 

 rubbing the mane, and the treatment is the same. It 

 may also be caused by intestinal worms, especially pin- 

 worms. For treatment, see "Intestinal Worms," Chapter 

 XII, page 341. 



ERYSIPELAS 



Erysipelas sometimes occurs in horses, but rarely 

 in other animals. It is an inflammation of the skin, due 

 fro a specific germ that gains entrance through a wound, 

 though the wound maybe so small as to pass unnoticed. 



The skin is hot, tender, swollen, and, if normally 

 white, it turns very red. The inflammation and swell- 

 ing affect the deeper tissues, which have a "doughy" 

 feeling, pitting on pressure. There is a well-defined line 

 between the healthy and the diseased parts. In severe 

 cases there is a tendency toward the formation of a 

 brownish, bad -smelling pus under the skin, and an, 

 extensive sloughing of diseased tissues. 



