592 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT 



DISEASES OP THE SKIN. 



The skin is a membrane of variable thickness, which covers the 

 whole body, and is reflected inward by all the natural openings, so 

 as to line, by its internal reflections, the eye, the nasal cavities, 

 the mouth, etc., etc. Skin diseases in the lower animals generally 

 do not prove so inveterate as in human beings. 



Surfeit 



is an affection of common occurrence among horses in the spring 

 and summer months, and is an eruptive disease, showing itself in 

 the form of small tumors, or pimples, and extending along the neck, 

 or over the whole body. 



Causes. — It very often proves a sequel to some derangement 

 of the digestive organs ; as from feeding for a lengthened period on 

 one kind of food, and more particularly if it is of a stimulating or 

 heating nature. It is also apt to occur in horses that are in high 

 condition, when' subjected to violent exercise^ causing them to sweat 

 freely, and then being exposed to sudden chill ; in this form it is 

 often met with in colts when being first put to work. 



Symptoms. — It appears suddenly ; small pimples or tumors 

 arise on different parts of the body and neck, and particularly un- 

 derneath the mane ; in some instances .they disappear rapidly by 

 absorption, while in others they burst and discharge a thin fluid : 

 the hair comes out, and small scales form, which are easily pulled 

 off. At times this affection proves very irksome and troublesome 

 to the horse, causing him to rub violently against his stall, or bite 

 at the parts affected. In its simple form it appears to inconven- 

 ience the animal but little, and is generally easily removed. 



' Treatment. — In the first place the food should be changed, and 

 a mild purgative given, as Barbadoes aloes, four to six drachms ; 

 the kidneys should be made to act freely, and for that purpose the 

 following ball may be given daily for four or five days : — 



Nitrate of potassa 3 dr. 



Camphor '..-...' 1 scr. 



Oil of juniper .' , 1 dr. 



With soft soap and linseed meal sufficient io form an ordinary- 

 sized ball. 



Iri inveterate cases, small doses of calomel and opium may be 

 used with success. The eruptions should be thoroughly cleansed 

 with soap and water, and afterward dressed with a mild solution of 

 the chloride of zinc, about twenty g'rains to a pint of water. He 



