FOLLICULAR MANGE. 137 



ought to reasonably exclude eczema and sarcoptic mange, the diseases 

 with which follicular mange is liable to be confounded. The rapid prog- 

 ress of the affection, the peculiar appearance of the pustules, the crusts, 

 and the offensive odor are diagnostic points strongly indicative. The 

 microscope if used will remove all doubts. 



^Prognosis. —Follicular mange is a curable disease, but the treatment 

 must be persevered in for a long time even after recovery appears com- 

 plete, to destroy all trace of the parasitic elements, which might possibly 

 remain on the skin and hairs and again become active. In a very severe 

 case probably from six to eight months must elapse before a cure can be 

 accomplished. The hair will eventually be nearly if not entirely renewed. 



Treatment. —Follicular mange being solely a local affection, only rem- 

 edies which act locally are needed unless symptoms of general disturbance 

 demand constitutional treatment. 



As advised in sarcoptic mange the kennel must be completely renovated. 

 After thoroughly bathing the animal, using freely carbolic soap, the hair 

 should be clipped and then shaved closely, exposing unaffected skin a safe 

 distance from the eruption. 



If the disease can be detected before crusts are formed, painting with 

 the balsam peru three or four times a day would possibly be sufficient. 

 Such good fortune in making an early diagnosis few will experience, and 

 other treatment will be more often found essential. 



When the crusts have formed it will be necessary to remove them, to 

 favor the action of the remedies applied. The animal should be rubbed 

 with linseed oil or common lard, a large quantity being used in the opera- 

 tion. The crusts will loosen in from twelve to twenty four hours. The 

 animal should again be washed,using the domestic soft soap, and rinsing 

 well finally. 



If a house pet is under treatment and ointments are objected to, either 

 of the following washes may be used and applied freely: sulphurous 

 acid one part to six of water; carbolic acid two drachms, to water one 

 pint; balsam peru one part, alcohol six parts; the lime and sulphur solu- 

 tion advised in sarcoptic mange is often efficacious. 



Carbolic acid and Canada balsam is a preparation, which if judiciously 

 used is most admirable; the acid enters the pustules striking at the very 

 root of the disease; the parasite is destroyed, and the balsam lessens the 

 irritation. If the patches of eruption are but few, the remedy may be 

 applied in equal parts by penciling each pustule with a camel's hair brush, 

 every two or three days or even every day. When the eruption is exten- 

 sive, a few patches can be touched each day until all have been acted 

 upon. While this treatment is being pursued, an ointment of creasote, a 

 remedy highly endorsed by many, can be used combined with other 



