106 THE SOKSE ANB ITS DISEASES. 



Surfeits is very often the precursor of mange, and 

 degenerates into it. 



Perseverance, therefore, in the above treatment, is 

 required, as the alternate appearance and disappearance 

 of the lumps, by causing confusion, puzzle inexperienced 

 men, and induce them to modify, if not altogether sus- 

 pend the use of those potent remedies which I have 

 detailed in the foregoing page. This hesitation is the 

 most fertile service of the degeneration of the lumps 

 into the next disease, which I shall now proceed to 

 discuss. 



^he Mange. 



This disease generally arises from the combined effects 

 of want of cleanliness, poverty of food, a depraved 

 quality, or excess in quantity. 



There is generally an obstruction of the cutaneous 

 pores, and a partial su]^ression of perspiration — a lump 

 comes on, or more frequently an eruption of pimples 

 from which an acrid fluid oozes ; the hair and catile fall 

 oif, leaving a scruffy scab. Considerable pain and itching 

 accompany their development at this stage of the 

 disease. The skin is thickened and thrown into wrinkles 

 or folds. The parts most generally affected are near the 

 ears, roots of the mane, back loins, tail, and the back of 

 the hock. 



The perpetual itching causes the horse to be continu- 

 ally biting, and rubbing himself against every rough 

 object he meets with. This annoyance preludes the 

 possibility of rest and quietness — the poor animal does 

 not take his food well — he becomes atrophised, that is, 

 he loses flesh. 



This disease is highly contagious. The slightest con- 

 tact appears to suffice for the propagation of this loath- 

 some complaint — if the same brush or curry-comb be 

 used on all the horses, the propagation of mange is the 

 result. Let my readers bear this in mind. 



