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Mange


Mules are subject to this disease when kept in large numbers, as in the

army. This is peculiarly a cuticle disease, like the itch in the human

system, and yields to the same course of treatment. A mixture of sulphur

and hog's lard, one pint of the latter to two of the former. Rub the

animal all over, then cover with a blanket. After standing two days,

wash him clean with soft-soap and water. After this process has been

gone through, keep the animal blanketed for a few days, as he will be

liable to take cold. Feed with bran mashes, plenty of common salt, and

water. This will relieve the bowels all that is necessary, and can

scarcely fail of effecting a cure. Another method, but not so certain in

its effect, is to make a decoction of tobacco, say about one pound of

the stems to two gallons of water, boiled until the strength is

extracted from the weed, and when cool enough, bathe the mule well with

it from head to foot, let him dry off, and do not curry him for a day or

two. Then curry him well, and if the itching appear again, repeat the

bathing two or three times, and it will produce a cure. The same

treatment will apply in case of lice, which frequently occurs where

mules are kept in large numbers. Mercury should never be used in any

form, internally or externally, on an animal so much exposed as the

mule.



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