132 PARASITIC SKIN DISEASES. 



children to the presence of flies on their faces and even in the 

 corners of their eyes. 



Against these insect pests, the chief treatment is that of pre- 

 vention. With this object, allow a horse his utmost length of tail, 

 mane, and forelock, and remember that the chief function of the 

 mane is to Eissist in driving away flies which may settle on the 

 neck. Eye fringes and ear nets are often indispensable ; and a 

 hood and light body clothing may be useful. As an application to 

 render the skin obnoxious to thiese enemies of the horse, employ a 

 strong decoction, in vinegar, of walnut leaves ; train oil ; a strong 

 solution of salt in water ; a solution of creolin in water, 1 to 20 ; 

 or a mixture of flowers of sulphur, 4 oz., spirits of tar, a quarter 

 of a pint, and train or whale oil, one quart. In India, smoke 

 obtained from burning dried cow dung or dried horse dung is 

 often used to keep flies out of stables, which, with the same object, 

 may be kept dark. If there be only one entrance through which 

 light enters the stall, a net spread across it will effectually prevent 

 flies from gaining admittance; although, if light be allowed to 

 come in from another direction, the net will have no deterrent 

 effect unless its meshes are sufficiently small to prevent entrance. 

 The cleaner the stall is kept, the less inviting will it be to flies, 

 which will also be warned off to some extent by the free use 

 on the floor and walls of a solution of creolin or carbolic acid 

 in water (say, 1 to 20), or some other strongly-smelling dis- 

 infectant. It is a good plan to allow spiders to build their webs 

 undisturbed in stables, as these insects help to destroy the flies. 

 Stables may then present a somewhat unkempt appearance by 

 reason of a large colony of spiders and webs on the walls, but the 

 absence of flies therein explains that the comfort of the horses 

 is of more importance there than outward show. 



Leeches. ■ 



In many hot countries, and especially on damp ground, various 

 kinds of land leeches (see also p. 393) attach themselves to the 

 legs of horses which go through places infested by these blood- 

 suckers. They are best removed by sprinkling a little salt over 

 them, or they can be snipped off with a scissors. The legs of 

 the horse may be protected by bandages ; flannel or serge for 

 choice. 



Maggots. 



Under this vulgar though convenient term are included the 

 larvae of various forms of flesh flies, and the larvae of the warble 

 fly. The former deposit their eggs on wounds ; the latter {Hypo- 



