I 



SARCOPTIC SCABIES. 



613 



in Algeria and Tunis, the sarcoptic form of scabies may become 

 generalised and attack the entire body. The extremities of the limbs, 

 however, are usually attacked after all the head has become involved. 



Throughout the course of the disease the patients scratch and rub 

 themselves, thus tearing off the crusts and causing bleeding and the 

 formation of new crusts of a blackish hue. This form of scabies 

 about the head may become complicated with conjunctivitis, the 

 inflammation extending from the extremity of the eyelids to the con- 

 junctiva. This arises from the fact that the membrane is frequently 

 injured by the animal rubbing the parts. Conjunctivitis may be so 

 intense as to lead to purulent ophthalmia and the loss of the eye. 



Diagnosis. Sar- 

 coptic mange in 

 sheep cannot be 

 mistaken for any 

 other disease on 

 account of its lo- 

 calisation. 



Prognosis. The 

 disease is not very 

 dangerous, for it 

 is easy to treat, 

 though if left to 

 itself it might in 

 time become fatal. 



Treatment. 

 Preventive treat- 

 ment consists in 

 isolating diseased 



animals, cleansing and disinfecting the folds, and preventing the in- 

 troduction of diseased animals into healthy flocks. 



Curative treatment. When the disease is detected at an early 

 stage anti-psoroptic remedies may be directly employed. 



If, however, it is of old standing, the crusts must first be softened 

 and removed by the use of fatty substances, such as vaseline or oil, 

 before any curative treatment can be undertaken. 



The crusts can be removed in from twenty-four to forty-eight 

 hours by vigorous washing with soft soap and the application of anti- 

 parasitic solutions. The omission to wash the parts causes drugs to 

 lose much of their efficacy. 



Helmerich's ointment, oil of cade, mixtures of oil, benzine and 

 petroleum, and 3 per cent, to 4 per cent, of tobacco juice, are the 

 commonest and most efficacious applications. 



Fig. 252. — Sarcoptic mange of the sheep, showmg the 

 appearance of the head. 



