MANGE. 483 



are also some well-authenticated instances of the same disease being communicated 

 from the dog to the horse, but not from the horse to the dog. 



Mange has been said to originate in want of cleanliness in the management 

 of the stable. The comfort and the health of the horse demand the strictest 

 cleanliness. The eyes and the lungs frequently suffer from the noxious fumes 

 of the putrefying dung and urine ; but, in defiance of common prejudice, there 

 is no authentic instance of mange being the result. It may,' however, proceed 

 from poverty. When the animal is half starved, and the functions of digestion 

 and the power of the constitution are weakened, the skin soon sympathises, and 

 mange is occasionally produced instead of surfeit and hide-bound. Every farmer 

 has proof enough of this being the case. If a horse is turned on a common 

 where there is scarcely sufficient herbage to satisfy his appetite, or if he is 

 placed in one of those straw-yards that are under the management of mercenary 

 and unfeeling men, and are the very abodes of misery, the animal comes up a 

 skeleton, and he comes up mangy too. Poverty and starvation are fruitful 

 sources of mange, but it does not appear that filth has much to do with it, 

 although poverty and filth generally go hand in hand. 



The propriety of bleeding in cases of mange depends on the condition of 

 the patient. If mange is the result of poverty, and the animal is much debi- 

 litated, bleeding will increase the evil, and will probably deprive the constitution 

 of the power of rallying. Physic, however, is indispensable in every case. It 

 is the first step in the progress towards cure. A mercurial ball will be preferable 

 to a -common aloetic one, as more certain and effectual in its operation, and the 

 mercury probably having some influence in mitigating the disease. In this, 

 however, mange in the horse resembles itch in the human being — medicine alone 

 will never effect a cure. There must be some local application. There is this 

 additional similarity — that which is most effectual in curing the itch in the 

 human being must form the basis of every local application for the cure of 

 mange in the horse. Sulphur is indispensable in every unguent for mange. It 

 is the sheet-anchor of the veterinary surgeon. In an early and not very acute 

 state of mange, equal portions of sulphur, turpentine, and train-oil, gently but 

 well rubbed on the part, will be applied with advantage. Farriers are fond of 

 the black sulphur, but that which consists of earthy matter, with the mere dregs 

 of various substances, cannot be so effectual as the pure sublimed sulphur. A 

 tolerably stout brush, or even a currycomb, lightly applied, should be used, 

 in order to remove the dandriff or scurf, wherever there is any appearance 

 of mange. After that, the horse should be washed with strong soap and water 

 as far as the disease has extended ; and, when he has been thoroughly dried, the 

 ointment should be well rubbed in with the naked hand, or with a piece of 

 flannel. More good will be done by a little of the ointment being well rubbed 

 in, than by a great deal being merely smeared over the part. The rubbing 

 should be daily repeated. 



The sulphur seems to have a direct influence on the disease — the turpentine 

 has an indirect one, by exciting some irritation on the skin of a different nature 

 from that produced by the mange, and under the influence of which the irritation 

 of mange will be diminished, and the disease more easily combated. During 

 the application of the ointment, and as soon as the physio has set, an alterative 

 ball or powder, similar to those recommended for the other affections of the 

 skin, should be daily given. If, after some days have passed, no progress should 

 appear to have been made, half a pound of sulphur should be well mixed with a 

 pint of oil of tar, or, if that is not to be obtained, a pint of Barbadoes tar, and 

 the affected parts rubbed, as before. On every fifth or sixth day the ointment 

 should be washed off with warm soap and water. The progress towards cure 



i i 2 



