62 



MODERN HORSE MANAGEMENT 



[chap. v. 



water for several hours, shaking at intervals ; 

 rub well into the part for three days, morning 

 and night. For an itching skin a few applica- 

 tions of diluted prussic acid (HCN) is very 

 beneficial. 



An excellent remedy for rubbed tails and 

 manes is : 



Acid salicylic 

 Menthol 

 Chloral hydrate 

 Water 



1 oz. 



1 oz. 



2 drs. 

 8 ozs. 



A similar preparation is sold by druggists under 

 the name of "Hedrub." This solution must be 

 rubbed well into the roots for two or three 

 minutes twice a day. 



A good application for eczema, after 

 thoroughly washing the part with castile soap, 

 is : Starch and talcum, i oz. of each ; sugar of 

 lead (lead acetate), 3 oz. ; camphor water, 6 oz. 

 Apply morning and night. Arsenic is used 

 internally for chronic skin diseases, but not for 

 acute attacks. Other external applications for 

 chronic skin diseases are: Salicylic acid, oil 

 of cade, balsam of peru, ammoniated mercury 

 ointment, etc. For mange, wash thoroughly 

 with castile soap and tepid water, and apply 

 morning and night a 5 per cent, solution of 

 carbolic acid. Mange is caused by a minute 



insect. Antiseptics and cleanliness are the best 

 cures. 



Any drug that acts as a purgative, as a 

 diuretic (nitre, pot. chlorate, etc.), or as a 

 diaphoretic (as chloral hydrate, chloroform, pilo- 

 carpine, etc.), will tend to cure skin diseases 

 by drawing away impurities from the blood. 

 Sulphur, which is eliminated through the skin, 

 should be used in chronic cases, and will assist 

 in all cases. 



246. Causes of Rubbing Tails. — The tail is 

 usually rubbed near the root on the upper 

 surface. Docking is often responsible for this, 

 the wound causing the tail to itch. Capt. Hayes 

 mentions this in his books. 



A tail should always be bandaged if the horse 

 rubs it, because rubbing will make the itching 

 worse. If such a tail is neglected, the hair 

 follicles may become permanently injured, leav- 

 ing a bare patch. A tail guard or bandage 

 should be used on the railway or on board ship 

 to prevent rubbing. When first signs of rubbing 

 are discovered, the horse must be put in a stall 

 where he cannot rub mane or tail. The mane 

 is usually rubbed by the horse getting his mane 

 under the manger. A frequent cause of tail 

 rubbing is either neglect to sponge the under 

 side of the dock, or worms. Worms can 

 generally be destroyed. (See Chapter XI.) 



