MANGE. 99 



those causing mange, although of the three families named, 

 the sarcoptes is probably the one oftenest met with in 

 mange, and most certainly is the one causing the worst 

 form of the disease ; either variety may be conveyed from 

 one animal to anotlier by means of harness, saddles, 

 clothing, etc. The dermatodectes can in some cases be 

 easily detected by the imaided eye, and either variety can 

 of course be readily discovered by the glass, an ordinary 

 magnifying glass in most cases being quite sufficient. 

 Mange often prevails to a considerable extent during war. 

 It is not a very common disease among Canadian or 

 American horses, and a great many diseased conditions of 

 the skin are frequently improperly diagnosed and treated 

 as manges, when in reality they are entirely different con- 

 ditions that are present, and that require in consequence 

 treatment altogether different to the method pursued in 

 the treatment of mange. The parasites causing mange are 

 never spontaneously generated, as is thought by many ; on 

 the contrary, the disease is caused in every instance by 

 coming into contact with affected animals, or infected 

 clothing, harness, etc. At the same time, it should be 

 remembered that dirty, badly-groomed, and badly-kept 

 animals are more prone to receive the parasites, and, having 

 received them, offer greater encouragement and fall an 

 easier prey to their ravages than would well-kept and 

 properly-cared-for animals. 



Symptoms. — The first symptom noticed is itchiness ; the 

 animal scratches himself, and the coat presents an unthrifty 

 appearance. Soon the hair falls out in patches, leaving 

 corresponding bare patches of skin ; this is usually noticed 

 on the neck, about the edge of ^ the mane, and on the 

 quarters near the root of the tail. As time goes on, the 

 bare spots increase in size and number, until the animal is 

 almost entirely devoid of hair. A sort of straw-coloured 



7—2 



