439 



Treatment consists in the removal of the scabs by soapsuds, and, if 

 iivScessary, a brush, and the thorough apjilication of tobacco 1^ ounces 

 and water 2 pints, prepared by boiling. This may be applied more 

 than once, and should always be repeated after fifteen days, to destroy 

 the new brood that may have been hatched in the interval. All harness 

 and stable utensils should be similarly treated* blankets and rubbers 

 may be boiled, and the stalls should be covered with a whitewash of 

 quicklime, containing one fourth jiound of chloride of lime to the gallon. 



Parasite: Sarcoptes mutans. Malady: Sarcoptic acariasis from 

 fowls. — This parasite belongs to chickens, but can live on the skin of the 

 fox and horse as well. A troublesome mange may therefore at times 

 be traceable to the proximity of a chicken roost. The general symptoms 

 and treatment are essentially the same as for sarcoptis equi. 



Parasite : Psoroptis equi {Dennatocoptis equi, Dermatodectis equi). 

 Malady : Psoroptic acariasis. — This produces tlie most frequent mange 

 in horses, and as the parasite only bites the surface and lives among 

 the crusts under the shelter of a hair, it is very easily discovered. It 

 reproduces itself with equal rapidity, and causes similar symptoms to 

 those produced by the sarcoptes. The same treatment will suffice and 

 is more promptly effectual. The purifying of the stable must be more 

 thorough, as the psoroptis will survive twenty to thirty days in the 

 moist atmosphere of a stable, and may even revive after six or eight 

 weeks when subjected to moist warmth. Infested pastures will there- 

 fore prove dangerous to horses for that length of time, and with rub- 

 bing posts, etc., should be secluded. 



Parasite : Symbiotis equi, Dermatophagus equi, Chorioptes spathifer- 

 ous. Malady: Foot mange. — This acarus attacks the heels and lower 

 parts of the legs, especially the hind ones, and may be present for years 

 ■without extending upon the body. Like the psoroptis, it lives on the 

 Burf^ice, on the hairs, and among the scabs. It gives rise to great itch- 

 ing, stamping, rubbing of the one leg with the other, and the formation 

 of papules, wounds, ulcerous sores, and scabs. The intense itching will 

 always suggest this parasite, and the discovery of the acarus will 

 identify the disease. Treatment is the same as for the sarcoptes, but 

 may be confined to the legs and the parts with which they come in 

 contact. 



F AR ASiT^.—Dermanyssus gallinece — Chiclien Acari. Malady: Poultry 

 acariasis. — This is a large-sized acarus, though usually miscalled " hen 

 louse," and the disease " poultry-lousiness." The mite lives in the hen 

 manure and adjacent woodwork, but temporarily passes on to the skin 

 of man, and of the horse and other quadrupeds, when occasion serves. 

 It causes much irritation, with the eruption of papules or vesicles and 

 the formation of sores and scabs. The examination of the skin is 

 usually fruitless, as the attacks are mostly made at night and the effects 

 only may be seen during the day. Theproximityof hen manure swarm- 

 ing with the acari explains the trouble, and the removal of this and a 



