THE HEAD OF AN OLD, MANGY WHITE HORSE.
An animal, which from being gray in youth has grown white with age, still retains to its death the signs of its youthful color upon its skin. The integument is dark, although the hair may have lost the last vestige of its original hue; the checkered appearance established by mange gives to the white horse a particularly ragged and dejected aspect.
THE TEST FOR MANGE.
Unfortunately, man is not, at the present moment, sufficiently enlightened to recognize the symptoms which indicate an approaching attack of mange; but the animal energetically announces the malady so soon as the contamination is established. The disorder being confirmed, its existence is readily ascertained; the fingers have only to be inserted among the roots of the mane, and the part titillated with the nails. The horse thus treated will stretch forth the head and neck, will compose its features into an expression of excessive pleasure, and will continue motionless so long as the hand remains upon the crest.
This sign, being witnessed, may be esteemed conclusive. Let such an animal be placed in the sunshine for an hour, should the weather permit; otherwise allow it to stand in the warmest house which is unoccupied; then have the coat thoroughly dressed or whisked, until all the loose scurf and incrustations are removed; afterward have the following ointment well rubbed in. Mind the man who whisks the horse goes near no other animal for eight and forty hours. See that every portion of the skin, from the tip of the nose to the point of the tail, is anointed; mark that no crevice or irregularity escapes, from the bottom of the coronet to the apex of the ears.
Liniment for Mange.
| Animal glycerin | Four parts. |
| Creosote | Half a part. |
| Oil of turpentine | One part. |
| Oil of juniper | Half a part. |
| Mix all together, shake well, and use. |
It is impossible to state accurately how much will be required to dress the horse—the disease, the coat, and the size vary so materially in different animals. About one pint and a half is, however, the general quantity employed for one application; every portion of the coat must be saturated, and in that condition the animal should be left till two clear days have expired. Thus, supposing the liniment to be used upon a Monday, it is left on until the following Thursday. Then have the surface washed with soft soap and warm water; dry the body and allow the animal to stand in a warm spot as before, so that every portion of moisture may evaporate. Afterward employ the whisk as has been previously directed; subsequently repeat the anointing. That operation must be again gone through for the third and last time after two clear days have once more expired, when the disease ought to be cured; all the insects should have perished, and the skin have been benefited by the stimulation to which it has been subjected.