PRACTICAL HINTS ON STABLE MANAGEMENT IN INDIA, 175 
(cl) The dry and damp wisp. 
(e) The sponge. 
(f) The duster and wash-leather. 
( g ) The hoof-picker. 
In addition to these appliances, it is well to encourage the 
process of rubbing or mulling the body with the hand and fore¬ 
arm as practised by good syces, for it improves and puts a gloss 
on the coat of the horse, and these men are accustomed to that 
mode of strapping him. 
Having primarily thoroughly dressed the body and legs of the 
horses with the aid of any, or all of this gear, the head and ears 
should then be cleaned perfectly, and it is of the greatest import¬ 
ance that the corners of the eyes be kept cleared of mucus, 
since an accumulation of this secretion near them will prove a 
source of great annoyance to the animal, as it will attract the 
flies, and these insects will then, in spite of the eye-fringes, attack 
and worry the poor horse till, in trying to rid himself of such 
noxious and aggravating pests, he rubs his head, either on his 
knee or against the nearest object, often in this manner causing 
an abrasion of the skin in the facial region. This simple abra¬ 
sion, very frequently, during the hot season, becomes an 
unhealthy and troublesome sore which is tardy in healing, and 
when healed leaves an ugly and indelible scar or cicatrix that 
reduces the market value of the animal considerably. 
Protection for the eyes .—On dry windy days, and in those 
stations especially where the soil is sandy, the eyes require to be 
most carefully sponged with water two or three times a day, and 
to be covered with a wetted cloth if necessary, so as to free and 
protect them from particles of dust or sand, which if allowed to 
remain will most certainly irritate and produce swollen lids, w T ith 
that condition known as conjunctival ophthalmia, a disease 
which some horses are peculiarly liable to contract during the 
hot months, but which is easily prevented. 
Appendages .—The roots of the hair of the forelock, mane, 
and tail, with the dock and vent, require to be kept scrupulously 
clean, as scurf or dust lodging on or near them causes itching 
of those appendages. This incites the animal to rub himself 
whenever an opportunity occurs, and from this a chronic affec¬ 
tion of the skin may be induced, which will be an ever recurring 
source of annoyance to the animal and his master. The prepuce 
or sheath too, with the penis, require more than ordinary care, 
for if the unctuous matter, secreted in the sheath for the purpose 
of lubrication, &c., be not constantly removed, itching will in 
many instances be the result, and to allay this the horse will gnaw 
the parts, causing an abrasion of the skin of the sheath, which may 
run into a troublesome sore. In other cases the penis becomes 
