200 MANGE. 



Mange, 



This cutaneous affection is very common among dog-s of 

 every kind. It has been compared to itch in the human, and 

 not without justice ; as, if I am not greatly mistaken, the 

 canine mang-e is capable of producing- the human itch : but, 

 whether the human itch can be given to dogs, is a point 

 which my experience does not enable me to determine. 



The canine mange is a chronic inflammation of the skin, 

 dependent, in some instances, on a morbid action of the con- 

 stitution : in others, it is the effect of infectious communica- 

 tion. It is not, however, so infectious as is supposed ; for, I 

 have known dogs to sleep with others troubled with it for 

 some time, without becoming mangy ; but, in other instances, 

 the predisposition to it is such, that almost simple and momen- 

 tary contact will produce it. The mange, which is the effect 

 of infection, is more readily given to another than that which 

 is generated. 



Mange is also hereditary. A bitch, lined by a mangy dog, 

 is very liable to produce mangy puppies ; but the progeny of 

 a mangy bitch is certain to become affected sooner or later. 

 . I have seen puppies covered with it when a few days old. 

 The morbid constitutional action, by which mange is gene- 

 rated, is excited in various ways, and by various causes. 

 When a number of dogs are confined together, the acrid 

 effluvia of their transpiration and urine soon begets a most 

 virulent mange, very difficult to be removed. The same hap- 

 pens when they are principally fed on salt provisions : thus 

 dogs, who have come from distant countries, on ship-board, 

 are generally affected with mange. Poor living, united with 

 a cold and filthy mode of lying, will often produce it ; but 

 -too full feeding, with a close and heated situation, are still 

 more certainly productive of the complaint. In both these 

 apparent contrarieties, the balance between the skin and in- 

 ternal circulation is not preserved, and the disease follows as 

 a necessary consequence. 



