FUNGI IMPERFECTI— BARBER'S ITCH 301 



Gerlach, in 1857-1859, demonstrated a trichophyte in bovine animals, and 

 other investigators, later, recognized the case as Herpes tonsurans. S. tonsurans 

 has also been described under Trichophyton tonsurans and as Oidium tonsurans. 

 Unna, in 1897, from twenty cultures described four species, T. oidiophora, T. 

 eretmorphoron, T. atractophoron, and T. pterygodes. It is probable that Sporo- 

 trichum tonsurans is a very variable species. Lindau places it under the genus 

 Oospora, but it seems preferable to call it Sporotrichum. 



Distribution. Occurs in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa. 



Pathogenic properties. In cattle, small, round, sharply defined spots oc- 

 cur which are covered with scabs and scales which project more or less above 

 the skin and vary in size, some being as large as the palm of the hand. Under- 

 neath the scales, is a purulent fluid with hollows that represent the empty 

 follicle. In man as well as in animals, the hairs can be pulled out very readily. 

 The eruption lasts from six to twelve weeks, outbreaks occurring from rubbing 

 or scratching as a relief from the itching sensation that accompanies the erup- 

 tion. In sucking calves it occurs chiefly about the mouth and is called "doughy 

 mange" and. according to Hahn, is produced by the fungus T. tonsurans. 



Most of the varieties can be transmitted to guinea pigs, cats, and dogs 

 and have even been transmitted to man during the process of sheep shearing. 

 Healing takes place when the animal is inoculated subcutaneously. The large- 

 spored form, occurring on the scalp, forms pus and resembles moist eczema. 

 Children take the disease from calves and by playing with cats and dogs. 



Mycosis of the beard exists in two forms ; non-infectious and infectious. 

 In Sycosis parasitaria, the disease is accompanied by a severe inflammation of 

 the hairy parts of the skin, leading to infiltration and suppuration. Sabouraud 

 classifies the parasite into a dry and a pus favus. 



The Eczema marginatum supposedly caused by the same fungus was first 

 described by Devergie in 1854-1855 ; Berensprung having discovered the same 

 fungus in 1855. It is slightly contagious, and more frequent in men than in 

 women. Another form of the disease occurs in the mouth. In sheep the wool 

 is felted and beneath it are bran-like, scabby parts, the fleece becoming very 

 ragged in appearance. In poultry, it shows itself by the loss of feathers. In 

 horses, it occurs most often on the seat of the saddle. The spots vary in 

 size, and the surrounding hair can be pulled out easily. In dogs, it affects 

 the head and extremities. Usually the spots are round at first and sharply 

 defined, later becoming hairless patches; occasionally they are dirty gray scabs. 



Ringworm of the body or Tinea circinata, is characterized by the occurrence 

 of one or more pea-shaped or large circular reddish patches which are on 

 about the same level as the integument and rarely 5-6 inches in diameter. In 

 some forms there is itching. This Trichophyton was discovered by Gruby in 

 1844. This fungus can be readily recognized by making microscopic mounts. 

 The mycelium is less branched and the threads are more slender than in the 

 form previously described. The spores are like strings of beads. 



The ringworm of the scalp. Tinea tonsurans, is a disease, chiefly, of children, 

 especially of those in schools. It differs from the preceding form in the fact 

 that the fungus makes its way into the hair follicles. The patches are, at first, 

 circumscribed, about the size of a small coin, covered or partly covered wi<-h 

 roundish patches of slate gray color or a dirty yellow. The fungus is called 

 Microsporon adouini. 



