ITCHY TAIL. 153 



to the roller (surcingle). If we cannot procure one of these a})- 

 pliances, we may roll round the root of the tail a cotton bandage, 

 about 4 yards long and 3 inches broad, which can be kept in its 

 place, if we, from time to time, take up a lock of hair of the tail from 

 below, and turn it upwards, so that at the next turn of the bandage, 

 the reversed lock of hair may oome between two thicknesses of 

 cloth. This bandage can be secured by tapes, by sewing, or by a 

 safety pin. The presence of the tail cover or bandage not only 

 saves the part from injury; but also has the effect of inducing the 

 animal to refrain from rubbing it. 



An admirable remedy for itchy tail, when this condition is due 

 to an inflamed state of the skin, is to put, say, a wineglassful of 

 paraffin (kerosene oil) and a pint of waiter in^ a bottle, and, after 

 shaking ujd the contents of the bottle, slowly pour the fluid over the 

 rubbed parts with one hand, while working the fluid into the hair 

 with the fingers of the other hand. One apiDlication (which may 

 be rejDeated) is generally sufficient to stay the irritation. I am of 

 course aware that this mineral oil does not mix wdth water, the 

 presence of which is necessary in this case, to allow only a very 

 small amount of the oil to remain on the part, which it would be 

 apt to blister if it was left on it in any considerable quantity. If 

 the mode of this application be not scientific, it is, as a rule, very 

 effective. As an alternative method of applying this oil, we might 

 soak the tail well with water ; rub about half a wineglassful of the 

 oil into the affected parts ; and then pour water freely over them. 

 After this treatment, the use of a tail cover or bandage will rarely 

 be necessary. 



In our own cases, rubbing the hands with paraffin oil, washing 

 them with plain water, and then drying them with a towel, is a 

 very effective means for alleviating a rough or chapped condition of 

 the hands. 



Instead of applying mineral oil, we may wash the part well with 

 warm water; rub in a plentiful supply of carbolic soft soap, or soft 

 soap in which creolin (one ounce to the pound) has been mixed; 

 and put on a tail cover or bandage, which we may remove next day. 

 The part should then be washed with warm water, which will make 

 a good lather with the soap that has been previously put on, and 

 we may apply any of the applications given on page 152. This 

 treatment may be continued for a few days. The constitutional 

 treatment would be similar to that described for simple eczema 

 (p. 151). 



When the irritation is due to docking or to worms, the case 

 should be treated in the manner respectively described in the 

 chapters on wounds and internal parasites. 



