Among Horses in India. 59 



symptom is an eruption of small vesicles which itch intoler- 

 ably. The part most commonly attacked first is the skin of 

 the neck, from which the disease extends down to the 

 shoulders and often to other parts of the body. If not pre- 

 vented a horse so affected wUl rub his mane, taQ, and other 

 parts until the skin is denuded of hair, or even actually raw. 

 The disease is not contagious, and the itchiness disappears 

 spontaneously in the cold season of the year. 



A great deal may be done to lessen its prevalence by 

 regulating the diet. As soon as the very hot weather com- 

 mences, the quantity of grain should be diminished and that 

 of bran increased. If barley form part of the ration it should 

 be parched and crushed. Salt should be mixed in the food 

 daily, and green food, such as lucern, given in place of a 

 certain amount of grass, which is often dry and indigestible 

 at that time of the year. 



When actually attacked, a horse should be tied so that he 

 cannot rub against anything, and his skin should be dressed 

 twice or three times daily with some kind of lotion to soothe 

 the irritation. 



A purgative dose of aloes should be given, followed by 

 nitrate of potash, as a diuretic night and morning. The 

 above remedies mitigate the disease as much as, or more than, 

 any that I am acquainted with. I have tried the internal 

 administration of arsenic, sulphur, mineral acids, and various 

 other medicines, but found little benefit from any. 



When the itchiness extends over only a small surface, 

 gTcat relief may be obtained from mercurial ointment, diluted 

 with oil in the proportion of about one ounce to twenty, 

 and well rubbed in; but usually so much of the skin is 

 affected that there would be a risk of the mercury poisoning 

 the horse. 



Among the best lotions are the following : 



1. Acetic acid 2 ounces 



in water 16 ounces, to which it is sometimes useful to add 

 Plumb, acet. 2 drachms. 



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