This condition is not a disease of itself, but a mere symptom of some other disease, most frequently of the stomach; such as a disordered stomach; poor food, or long exposure to rough, stormy weather. It not unfrequently exists in connection with Glanders, Grease, Founder or old disease of the lungs.
Symptoms.—It manifests itself by the hair looking rough and unthrifty, without its natural smoothness and gloss; and the skin feels hard, firm and fixed to the flesh.
We can most successfully treat it by ascertaining and removing the cause upon which it depends. But in the absence of any special indication, we may give with the best success a dose of fifteen drops of J.K., each morning, and the same of I.I., each night. A few days treatment will generally produce a most marked improvement.
Mange
(See also Eczema page [21])
Mange is a disease of the skin which has much the same appearance as eczema but is caused by parasites while eczema is not.
There are three forms of mange in the horse.
1—Sarcoptic mange caused by a burrowing mite which feeds and propagates in the lower layers of the skin. This form is usually found on the head, neck, shoulders and outer parts of the body.
2—Dermatodecic mange caused by sucking mites which live on the outer layers of the skin and suck up serum and lymph. This form is usually found on the inside of the thighs, root of the mane and tail, sheat, etc.
3—Symbiotic mange caused by scale eating mites which live and feed on the surface of the skin. This form is usually found on the feet and pasterns.