DISEASES OF CATTLE 417 



contagion between diseased and unaffected animals. It is possible 

 that the Trichophyton may be a facultative parasite, that is, may in 

 general lead a non-parasitic life, with the power, however, under 

 suitable conditions, especially indicated by an altered or unclean 

 condition of the skin, of adapting itself to a parasitic existence. 

 (According to Grawitz the fungus grows at summer temperature, 

 best about 30 C. on acid artificial culture media without losing its 

 faculty for parasitic growth on the skin.) 



However this may be, it is certain that when once established 

 the disease is spread by contagion in animals as well as in the human 

 race. Other cattle or horses should not be groomed with any brushes 

 or combs which have been used on diseased cattle. Where it occurs 

 among stabled cattle thorough cleaning and whitewashing of the 

 stable is indicated as well as burning of the bedding and disinfection 

 of halters. Individual animals are best treated in the following 

 way: 



The hair is clipped close for some distance around the diseased 

 patch, and the latter well soaked and washed with hot water and 

 goft soap. To prevent dissemination of living spores the water 

 ought to contain some fungicide. (Equal parts of water and 1/500 

 solution of corrosive sublimate is applicable for this purpose, re- 

 membering always that this solution is a poison). After the scales 

 have been removed by this means, apply over the diseased part an 

 antiparasitic remedy. Among the remedies recommended for the 

 purpose are tincture of iodine, iodine ointment, citrine ointment, 

 solutions of corrosive sublimate, carbolic acid and sodium sulphite. 

 All of these and many others are effective when thoroughly and fre- 

 quently enough applied. When mild remedies are desired, I have 

 found the iodine ointment or tincture most suitable, and recommend 

 these for use when the disease is situated above or close around the 

 eye. The tincture is best applied with a small brush or sponge fas- 

 tened to the end of a short stick of wood, while the ointment may 

 be rubbed in with the fingers. Both preparations must be thoroughly 

 rubbed into the diseased part and also some distance around it, 

 and the application repeated daily for a week or more. 



In other situations a more prompt cure may be expected from 

 the use of stronger preparation, such as citrine ointment (nitrate of 

 mercury ointment), or, in my experience, still better, a blistering 

 ointment composed of red iodide of mercury one part to six of lard, 

 and a few drops of croton oil. One application of this last remedy 

 will effect a cure wherever applied, but it should not be used over 

 too great a surface nor in the neighborhood of the eye, nor should it 

 be re-applied to the same place. All remedies may be washed off 

 twenty-four hours after being applied. In horses the iodine oint- 

 ment, nitrate of mercury ointment and carbolic solution (20 per 

 cent in glycerine) are suitable; they must be repeated, and if nec- 

 essary changed or combined until recovery is obtained. 



Harness which has been in contact with diseased patches here 

 require attention also. Thorough cleansing by scraping and wash- 



