THE HORSE, SKIN DISEASES, ETC. 273 



« ^sXjjosed tK filthy influences as to become in themselves the generators 

 <?t these mange-breeding insects. It is regarded as one of the most 

 contagious diseases to which the horse is subject, and may be imparted 

 not only to other horses, but to cattle, hogs, and dogs, though it is 

 asserted by good authority that none of these can in turn communicate it 

 to the horse. 



The curry-comb, brush, collar, or blanket which has been used on a 

 mangy horse will produce the infection in another ; and to lie in the same 

 stall or to rub where a mangy horse has rubbed himself is almost certain 

 to communicate it unless the animal so exposed is exceedingly healthful 

 and in active condition of body. 



How to Know It. — The skin is at first scabby, the hair comes off, and 

 the outer skin becomes broken into little scale-like pieces. These fall 

 off, or are rubbed off, and leave the parts raw and sore. The general 

 appearance of the skin where the raw spots are not too numerous is a 

 dirty brown, and it is loose, flabby and puckered. The horse is impelled 

 by itching to rub himself frequently and violently, and he thus leaves his 

 scurf, dandruff, and in the more advanced stage, his parasites, at every 

 place. 



Usually, where the disease is engendered in the animal itself , it appear," 

 first on the side of the neck, just at the edges of the mane, and on the 

 inside of the quarters near the root of the tail. From these parts the 

 eruption extends along the back and down the sides, seldom involving the 

 extremities, except in the very worst cases. Sometimes, though rarely 

 the ears and eye-brows are attacked and left bare. 



When it is the result of contagion, the horse may at first be in health •, 

 but the constant irritation makes him feverish, the hair falls off as in th*. 

 first case described, leaving the skin in those places almost bare ; and 

 little red pimples appear here and there. Each of these contains a 

 parasite, and the pimples are connected by furrows along which the 

 parasites have worked their way. In time they increase in number and 

 size, and from them exudes a matter which hardens into a scab. Under 

 these scabs the parasites may be found, upon removing them and care- 

 fully examining in the sunlight. 



In the early stage of the disease, where it may be suspected, but is not 

 yet fully manifest, it may be detected by placing the fingers among tho 

 roots of the mane and tickling the skin with the nails. The horse is so 

 sensitive to titillation when in this condition that he will thereupon stretch 

 out bis neck and evince the most unmistakable pleasure as long as the 

 tickling ':ontinues. 



What to do. — The most effectual preventive, it will be readily inferred 



