380 THE HORSE. 



oil, and half an ounce of common turpentine. Farriers are fond of the 

 black sulphur, but that which consists of earthy matter, with the mere 

 dreg-s of the sulphur, cannot be so effectual as the flowers, which are 

 pure sublimed sulphur. A tolerably stout brush, or even a currycomb, 

 lightly applied, should be used wherever there is any appearance of mange, 

 to remove the dandriff or scurf. After that, the horse should be washed 

 with strong' soap and water as far as the disease has extended ; and when 

 he has been thoroughly dried, the ointment should be well rubbed in with 

 the naked hand, or with a piece of flannel. More good will be done by a 

 little of the ointment beinp^ well rubbed in, than by a great deal being merely 

 smeared over the part. The rubbing should be daily repeated. The sul- 

 phur seems to have a direct influence on the disease — the turpentine has 

 an indirect one, by exciting some irritation on the skin of a different na- 

 ture to that produced by the mange, aud under the influence of which 

 the irritation of mange will be diminished, and the disease more easily 

 combated. During- the application of the ointment, and as soon as the 

 physic has set, an alterative ball or powder similar to those recommended 

 for the other affections of the skin, should be daily given. If, after some 

 days have passed, no progress should appear to have been made, half a 

 pound of sulphur may be well mixed with a pint of oil of tar, or, if that is 

 not to be obtained, a pint of Barbadoes tar, and the affected parts rubbed 

 as before. On every fifth or sixth day the ointment should be washed off 

 with warm soap and water. The progress towards cure will be ascer- 

 tained ; the skin will be cleansed, and its pores opened, for the more 

 effectual application of the ointment. 



The horse should be well supplied with nourishing, but not stimiflating 

 food. As much green meat as he will eat should be given him, or, what 

 is far better, he should be turned out if the weather is not too cold. It 

 may be useful to add, that, after the horse has been once well dressed 

 with either of these liniments, the danger of contagion ceases. It is 

 necessary, however, to be assured that every mangy place has been 

 anointed. 



It will be prudent to give two or three dressings after the horse has been 

 cured apparently, and to continue the alteratives for ten days or a fort- 

 night. The cure being completed, the clothing of the horse should be 

 well soaked in water, to which a fortieth part of the saturated solution of 

 the chloride of lime has been added ; after which, it should be washed 

 with soap and water, and again washed and soaked in a solution of the 

 chloride of lime, as before. Every part of the harness should undergo a 

 similar purification. The currycomb may be scoured, but the brush should 

 be burnt. The rack and manger, and partitions, and every part of the 

 stable which the horse could possibly have touched, should be well washed 

 with a hair broom, a pint of the chloride of lime being added to three 

 gallons of water. All the wood-work should then be scoured with soap and 

 water, after which a second washing with the chloride of lime and water 

 will render all secure. Some farmers have pulled down their stables when 

 they have been thoroughly infected with mange. This is being unneces- 

 sarily cautious. The efficacy of the chloride of lime was not then known : 

 and if it is carefully and sufficiently applied to every part of the stable 

 and its furniture, there cannot afterwards be danger. 



Every case of itchiness of the skin should be regarded with suspicion. 

 When a horse is seen to rub the root of his tail, or his head or neck, 

 against the manger, the parts should be carefully examined. Some of the 

 hair may have been rubbed or torn off, but if the roots remain firmly ad- 

 herent, and there be only redness and not scurfiness of the skin, it pro- 



