260 MELANOSIS. 
natural emission; while the preceding engraving of a loaded spleen by 
no means represents an extreme case. 
A tumor should be admirably placed for operation, and its removal 
should be almost imperative, before the surgeon presumes to meddle 
with it. Asa general rule, the best treatment for melanosis is to let 
it alone. Our present knowledge points to no medicine which can pre- 
vent or disperse such deposits, and the tumors appear to resent the 
slightest interference. The integrity of one swelling being violated 
seems to start off the disease with enraged intensity. If let alone, 
melanosis may exist for years, and cause little inconvenience to the 
body in which it resides. The horse is, by its daily service, exposed to 
various accidents. The large majority of the tribe perish before their 
youth has passed. The animal may, therefore, cease to live by other 
causes than disease, or die before disease has become formidable. But 
irritate the system by employment of the knife, and a lamentable malady 
may speedily render the knacker’s office an act of charity. 
Above all, let the master not permit any man to blister, seton, rowel, 
fire, stimulate, or slough out the tumor; such deeds are cruel folly. 
Bleeding is worse than useless. Purging weakens the body which dis- 
ease is sapping. All medicines used in ignorance are probable hazards. 
Let such things, therefore, be discarded ; but if something must be done, 
let the animal have daily an eight-ounce dose of any bland vegetable 
oil. Some linseed may likewise be mingled with the corn, or a decoction 
of the whole linseed may be presented as drink before the seeds them- 
selves are given with the oats. 
It is but natural to connect melanosis with the changed aspect of the 
THE COLORED HORSES WHICH ALONE ARE EXPOSED TO MELANOSIS. TO THE LEFT IS THE OLD HORSE, WHICH 
HAS BEEN GRAY; TO THE RIGHT IS THE YOUNG ANIMAL, WHICH WILL WITH AGE BECOME WHITE. 
skin. A young gray horse seems to be exempt; but as the dark hairs 
disappear from the coat, and the animal with age turns white, a black 
