1.SEASES OF THE SKIN AND SUB-TISSUES. 275 



■reader wants to know with reference to the cause of itch and 

 mange. 



Symptoms. — When a horse is affected with this malady, in either 

 of the forms here named, the owner's attention will be aroused 

 by the animal rubbing himself, whenever he can get a fair chance 

 to do so; and, should the limbs or heels be affected, he will rub 

 the fore-legs one against the other, and, at night, will constantly 

 strike the floor with his hind extremities. The hair looks un- 

 thrifty, has lost its gloss, and does not lay smooth on the body. 

 It falls off in patches, and an eruption is observed similar to the 

 appearance of itch on man, yet not so distinctly recognized. A 

 few pimples, scabs, and a slight reddening of the parts is all that 

 miy, perhaps, be seen. The skin of some horses, however, is 

 more vascular and more delicately organized than others. In the 

 lal ter case the disease is more marked, creates greater irritation, 

 an I the nervous system suffers more from sympathetic irritability 

 th: n in the case of an animal having a coarse and comparatively 

 insensible "hide." In addition to these symptoms, the affected 

 ani nal will be observed to be more or less fractious and unman- 

 ageable. 



Treatment. — The disease being of a local character, requires 

 topical (local) remedies, and the best medicine is that which most 

 quickly destroys the life of the itch parasite. It has been found 

 that preparations of creosote kill the parasite in a few seconds, 

 and Gerlaoh recommends the following preparation : 



No. 28. Creosote 2\ oz. 



Spirits of wine 15 oz. 



Water 40 oz. 



Previous to the application of this, the same authority advises 

 that the horse be smeared all over the body with soft soap, wash- 

 ing it off some time afterward with warm water, and having the 

 animal well brushed ; or a wash may be afterward used, consist- 

 ing of one part of caustic potass to fifty parts of water ; or, lastly, 

 greasing the animal with linseed oil, train oil, etc., and, one or 

 two days afterward, washing with soap and water or potash ley 

 then apply the preparation of creosote. 



The cheapest, and probably the safest, plan of treatment, and 

 that which has proved most successful in the practice of the author, 

 is as follows : 



