TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL REPORT 81 



Sarcoptic mange is due to a mite which ))ores into the skin, 

 then burrows and lays a multitude of eggs that soon hatch out, 

 the young parasites running over the surface of the skin to re- 

 peat the process. The irritation gives rise to intense itching 

 and inflammation, resulting in the formation of distinct pimples, 

 surrounded by pointed vesicles. These vesicles rupture, exuding 

 a liquid that condenses into a crust. The crusts mat the hair 

 together into tufts, and through additions to the crusts, and 

 the continuous scratching, induced by the intense itching, the 

 hair is shed, leaving raw or encrusted areas. The animal soon 

 presents a dirty, haggard appearance, eats little, and throws off 

 a vile, musty odor. 



The diagnosis depends upon the character of the affected 

 area, the intense itching, and by taking a scraping of skin be- 

 neath the scab and examining the same under the microscope 

 with an ordinary low power lens, when the parasites will be 

 easily seen. 



Treatment of Mange. — Treatment consists of prompt and 

 complete isolation and applications of balsam of Peru and Pear- 

 son Creolin in raw linseed oil, or "Mangoil" prepared by the 

 Abbott laboratories, consisting of sulphur and lime with the 

 addition of several phenol compounds. These applications should 

 be repeated every three days in order to destroy the freshly 

 hatched mites. 



The cages and compartments which have contained mangy 

 animals must be thoroughly disinfected after the animal's re- 

 moval, and before other animals have been placed in such com- 

 partments. The nets used in catching mangy animals also should 

 be disinfected, since by this means other animals have become 

 infected. The nets can be disinfected by dipping them in a solu- 

 tion of 10 per cent Creolin. 



Ring-worm was also another skin disease which was more 

 prevalent than in former years. This is produced by a vegetable 

 fungus and is not difficult to diagnose as the characteristic lesion 

 consists of more or less circular, well-defined patches, from w'hich 

 the hair falls, and which are covered with a fine scurf. 



The treatment consists of liberal applications of tincture of 

 iodine. 



