172 DISEASES OE^THE HORSE. 



there are evidences of a growth of hair springing up. 

 Gunpowder and lard have no more power in causing hair 

 to grow, than as much lard, saltpeter, sulphur and char- 

 coal would have, and is not to be compared to the iodine, 

 because, if iodine does not restore the hair in all cases, it 

 will certainly dye or stain the skin a dark color, which 

 cannot be washed off; and hence, in dark-skined horses, - 

 is of much use in taking the bare, bald-look off a white 

 spot, on a dark-skinned horse. 



(2.) Mange, Itch, Psoka, ok Scabies. 



Cause. — The result of an insect breeding and burrow- 

 ing in the skin, and is called acari, a variety of mite or 

 animalculse. 



Spnptoms. — At first, a fine crop of pustules, not at 

 this time always seen, about the head and neck, and under 

 the mane. By the horse rubbing himself against what- 

 ever he can get at, the hair falls off, and exposes an an- 

 gry and red-colored skin, with red points and lines, fis- 

 sures, wrinkles, or scratches. After this condition, we 

 have dryness, scrufiiness, baldness, and whitening of the 

 skin, accompanied with great itchiness. 



Treatment. — The best plan for curing this disease in 

 horses, is as follows : Take fine sea-sand, such as is used 

 by stable-men for scouring steel bits, and rub the affected 

 parts well for a few minutes. Then wash the parts well 

 with good soap and water, and a brush, after which dry 

 the parts well. Then anoint the parts with the following 

 ointment: Powdered sulphur, one ounce, hog's lard two 

 ounces ; mix. The following is more cleanly : Take liver 

 of sulphur, or hepar of sulphur, two to three ounces, cold 

 water one quart ; mix, and make a wash. This plan, and 

 either of these mixtures properly applied, will not only 

 kill the insect, but will cure a disease which has baffled 



