RINGWORM. CRIB-BITING. 37 
firing; but the thorough-pin nothing will permanently 
eradicate. 
Ringworm, that troublesome and very contagious disease, 
is cured with a preparation of mercury, by rubbing the 
affected part with a small portion once or twice a day for 
three or four days. Acetic acid once applied will, in most 
cases, have a good effect; if not, it may in a few days be 
again resorted to. The same remedy is a good one to 
prevent horses from rubbing the hair off the tail, making it 
sore, and spoiling their looks. 
It is only necessary to add that in all cases of illness a 
plentiful supply of warm clothing should be used, in order 
to keep the body at a proper temperature. This is infinitely 
better than the restriction of the supply of fresh air, so 
essential to the health of all animals. 
These are the ailments which commonly come before the 
trainer; but there are, besides, injuries the result of tricks 
arising from careless management, on which I have something 
to say before concluding this chapter. 
On attention to small things, success in great ones chiefly 
depends. Horses when idle often contract bad habits—crib- 
biting, wind-sucking, kicking in the stable—by which they 
sometimes injure themselves. As a rule these things are 
preventible, and should be prevented. 
In treating of sore-backs, I remarked that crib-biting was 
as easily avoided as they are, by a little attention and proper 
management. When not feeding or set at liberty, horses 
should be tied up by the rack-chains, and so kept from 
nibbling any projections, such as the manger or top-rail of 
the stall. When this is done, no crib-biters will be found. 
The trick grows from constantly licking and biting the manger, 
‘If it be not stopped, or the horse making the unpleasant 
