674 THE AMERICAN BOOK OF THE DOG. 



Now, instead of an animal parasite being the cause of 

 follicular mange, for the reason given, there is every reason 

 to believe that the form of parasite present is a vegetable 

 one a mold-fungus which attaches itself to the roots of 

 the hair and does the mischievous work. 



The appearances presented in follicular mange are these: 

 There is first an inflammation about the roots of a larger 

 or smaller number of hairs; usually but few show the 

 affection in the beginning. The skin around the affected 

 hairs feels hot to the touch, is red and slightly swollen. 

 Then, pimples form in this region, the hairs soon fall out, 

 and pustules appear. These latter are flat, and run together. 

 They soon discharge their contents, and scabs are formed; 

 they in turn harden, crack open, and bleed slightly. 



When once the disease appears, it extends rapidly. The 

 animal becomes repulsive, not only in appearance, but it 

 gives off an exceedingly offensive odor. There is little if 

 any itching; the pain from the eruption is considerable. 

 Any portion of the body may be attacked, but the affection 

 usually appears first on the head. The general health, as 

 might be expected, soon suffers, and there is rapid loss of 

 weight, with progressive debility. 



Follicular mange can be cured, but improvement, even 

 under the best treatment possible, is slow, and recovery is 

 obstinately resisted. When once the disease has made 

 much progress, the chances are that it will take six or eight 

 months to cure it. Besides the eruption, the loss of hair 

 causes great disfigurement; if a cure is accomplished, the 

 hair will grow again, but a long time will elapse before it 

 does so. If a dog not highly prized be attacked with this 

 disease, and it has made considerable progress, it would be 

 a humane act to " put him out of the way." The necessary 

 treatment few would care to undertake, unless the dog be a 

 valuable one, because frequent washings and applications 

 must be made. Those who do not love their pets well 

 enough to give them the best of care, ought to sacrifice 

 them at once if attacked with this loathsome form of 

 mange. 



