SKIN DISEASES. 173 



many who have attempted its cure, without first exposing 

 the insect, by scouring him out of his covering, and killing 

 him with sulphur, which is so objectionable to parasitic 

 life. 



Observe. — This disease is contagious. Stall-posts, man- 

 gers, harness, combs, brushes, etc., used about the horse, 

 should be subjected to heat equal to boiling, either by 

 boiling or steaming. Trees, gates, and rubbing-posts in 

 the field, should be washed with water, and coated with 

 a mixture of sulphur, lime and water. 



(3.) Eczema. — This is an afi*ection of the summer 

 months ; and by close inspection, large numbers of minute 

 elevations, or raised parts, closely joining each other, and 

 filled with a watery fluid, will be observed; the skin 

 will soon present a red and angry look, the hair short 

 and dry, accompanied with extreme itchiness ; so much 

 so, sometimes, that horses so affected become almost un- 

 manageable. The situation of this disease is usually in 

 the hind legs, and is considered hereditary. At all events, 

 when a horse is once attacked by it, it is liable to return 

 again with the warm weather. 



Cause. — A peculiar condition of the blood, developed 

 by heat. 



Treatment. — This disease in my hands, in several car- 

 riage horses which were rendered completely useless in 

 the summer months, have not only been cured, but it has 

 been prevented from returning, by administering half 

 ounce doses of the sulphite of soda, for two weeks pre- 

 vious to the hot weather, once a day ; and in addition, a 

 few bundles of fresh grass, cut from gentlemen's garden 

 borders, were given. The soda, to neutrahze, ferments 

 in the blood, and the grass, fresh cut, to assist, by its 



