39 o VETERINARY LECTURES 



inoculative to other animals, all harness, clothing, saddles, brushes, 

 etc., used on an affected animal must be carefully washed in some 

 disinfectant fluid. Although the complaint is distinctly inflamma- 

 tory, there is seldom any accompanying constitutional disturbance, 

 and the first thing to be noticed is that the hair stands up on end in 

 minute patches, which, on closer examination, are found to denote 

 the presence of small pustules containing fluid. These soon dry up, 

 forming scabs, which, if brushed off, leave bare places. If taken 

 in time, washing the body with Jeyes' fluid or Little's phenyle — 

 i part to 80 parts cold soft water — every three or four days, and 

 giving tablespoonful doses of bicarbonate of soda every night and 

 morning in a mash, has a very good effect. Chronic cases, however, 

 have to be dealt with by stronger treatment, such as arsenical pre- 

 parations internally and iodine applications externally. 



666. Mallenders is of an eczematous nature, and may be 

 regarded as a subacute or chronic inflammation of the skin at the 

 back of the knee-joint, with a thin, irritative, watery discharge, 

 causing the hair to stick out and eventually fall off, leaving a scurfy 

 thickening of the skin. It is a complaint common in cart-horses, 

 especially when they are out of condition, notably those that have 

 thick, gummy legs. Treatment is not always satisfactory. The 

 general condition of the animal must have attention, the diet must be 

 changed, and a mild, laxative ball given (say, 3 drachms each of 

 aloes and bicarbonate of soda), followed up by tonic diuretic medi- 

 cines, and dressing of the parts twice a week with a little 10 per cent, 

 oleate of mercury, which should be well rubbed in. Of all the 

 remedies I have tried, this application seems to have the best effect. 

 On no account should the affected parts be washed, as this seems to 

 irritate them and to encourage the spreading of the complaint. 



667. Sallenders is a complaint identical with mallenders ; the only 

 difference is in the situation, this being found at the front and bend 

 of the hock. Lichen is a somewhat similar complaint, but more of 

 a papular form, and affects the skin on the back part of the legs. Old 

 chronic cases are known as 'rat tails.' Treatment for these is the 

 same as that laid down for mallenders. 



