RING-WORM.
This affection at first is simply a disfigurement; but, if neglected, it becomes a troublesome disorder. In the primary instance, the hair falls off in patches, leaving visible a scurfy skin; some say there are pimples under the scurf, but the author must confess he was unable to discern them in those cases which he examined. The scurfy particles, however, are somewhat large, and resemble, in no little degree, the scales which form the bulk of bran. At first, these pieces or flakes of cuticle cover the entire surface; but ultimately they congregate upon the circumference, which, by their numbers, is made to assume a raised appearance. Should the ring-worm not be attended to, the outward margin at last begins to ulcerate, becoming the more difficult to eradicate in proportion to the time of its continuance and the extent of the ulceration.
A REPRESENTATION OF A RING-WORM
ON A HORSE.
For the cure of ring-worm, a rigid attention to cleanliness is imperative; the parts should, at all events, be washed night and morning with mild soap, and hot, soft water; to the places—these having been rendered perfectly dry—one of the following preparations must be applied and laid rather thickly upon the denuded spot:—
Ointments for Ring-worm.
| Animal glycerin | One ounce. |
| Spermaceti | One ounce. |
| Iodide of lead | Two drachms. |
Rub the glycerin and spermaceti together, and, when thoroughly incorporated, add the iodide of lead, or use any of the appended:—
| Nitrate of lead | Two drachms. |
| Simple ointment | Two ounces. |
| Mix. | |
| Oil of tar | Half an ounce. |
| Simple cerate | One ounce. |
| Mix. | |
| Creosote | Two drachms. |
| Simple cerate | One ounce. |
| Mix. | |
| Oil of juniper | One drachm. |
| Simple cerate | One ounce. |
| Mix. |
Besides the above, which are not one-half of the remedies in general use, some parties are loud in the commendation of a saturated solution of a sulphate of iron. Others are strongly prejudiced in favor of pure liquor plumbi; another class protest they employ nothing but compound alum water, which invariably and speedily affords relief. There are people who regard a strong infusion of tobacco as a charm for ring-worm; while another set will hear of nothing for that purpose but hellebore ointment.