SOME SKIN AFFECTIONS 209 



ing with ringworm, mange, lice and other communicable 

 troubles affecting the skin, or for that matter, disease of 

 any kind. 



All cases of ringworm are due to the presence of a 

 vegetable fungus or plant which invades the shafts of 

 the hair and the hair follicles. This parasite is known as 

 the tricophyton tonsurans and is reproduced by means 

 of spores derived from the parent plant. 



Collar and Saddle Galls 



Every horseman is well acquainted with sores resulting 

 from the pressure of a badly fitting saddle or a badly 

 fitting collar, or some other sore arising from injury 

 produced by the girth, etc. Horses which are in poor 

 condition and continuously worked in harness which is 

 improperly looked after, are those which are most sus- 

 ceptible to injuries of this kind. As a rule these skin 

 abrasions are the result of direct and continued pressure 

 of one hard substance upon another, and when they do 

 exist the pain inflicted upon the animal is unquestionably 

 very great. One's own personal experience is sufficient 

 evidence of the torture endured under these circum- 

 stances. The extent of the injury varies considerably, 

 and so does its course and termination. Neglected 

 bruises on the withers are the chief causes of fistula of 

 the withers, and this remark is equally applicable to the 

 poll when injured and neglected, ending in the so-called 

 poll-evil. As a preventative of saddle and shoulder galls 

 it is absolutely essential to see that the animal is supplied 

 with a properly fitting set of harness or gear, saddle, etc. 

 Directly a horse shows the slightest signs of skin abrasion, 

 it should be immediately thrown off work and the necessary 

 adjustment of the saddle attended to. Horse owners 

 pay far too little attention to the proper fitting of harness, 

 to the care of the same, and often overlook apparently 

 trifling injuries, which later on very often develop into 



