162 NON-PARASITIC SKIN DISEASES. 



should be avoided. Two ounces of bicarbonate of soda and an 

 ounce of liquor arsenicalis may be mixed through the food or 

 water daily. A drachm and a half of tartar emetic may^ be 

 substituted for the arsenic, which should not be continued for 

 longer than a week at a time; as it is liable to accumulate in the 

 system. 



Warts and Nsevi. 



These consist in excessive growth, by the implicated papillse of 

 the skin, of epithelium (p. 154) in the form of excrescences. This 

 defective state of the skin is due to impaired vitality of the part, 

 and is often caused by neglect of cleanliness. Warts are generally 

 found on the lower part of the belly, on the lips, nostrils and 

 eyelids, and about the sheath and penis of the horse, or udder of 

 the mare. 



The appearance and position of a wart will sufficiently indicate 

 the proper means for its removal, whether by caustics ; the knife ; 

 the scissors; tying it with silk, thread or horsehair; or by the 

 firing-iron. The hot iron may be often used with advantage, after 

 the wart has been cut off. On parts requiring delicate treatment, 

 such as the eyelids or lips, the daily and careful application of 

 strong glacial acetic acid may be tried ; or a saturated solution of 

 washing soda in the water, four or five times a day, for a few days. 

 A saturated solution of caustic potash, carefully put on, is an 

 admirable wart solvent. The application of fresh blood has often 

 been recommended. Arsenic (5 grains daily in the food for a week) 

 has sometimes a good effect in the removal of these excrescences. 



A ncemis is a tumour formed by a growth of blood-vessels. In 

 man, " birth-marks," or '' port-wine stains," are familiar forms of 

 it. The only kind of nsevus I have observed in horses is the 

 superficial variety often found under the belly. Nsevi somewhat 

 resemble warts 'in appearancie, except that they have a broader 

 base, and are much more inclined to bleed from injury. They can 

 be treated in the same manner as warts. 



Hidebound. 



This is a symptom of ill-healtli, and is not a disease in itself. 

 The skin is dry and hard, and appears to be drawn tightly over 

 the animal's body, so that it is difficult to pinch it up with the 

 fingers anywhere over the ribs. This condition is generally brought 

 on by indigestion, insufficiency of drinking water, derangement of 

 the liver, or worms. It also accompanies, or even precedes, many 

 serious illnesses. 



