SKIN DISEASES. 417 



An eruption between the toes, similar in its nature and cause to 

 " blotch," is also very common, showing itself chiefly at the roots 

 of the nails, where there are considerable redness and swelling, 

 and so much tenderness as to make the dog quite lame. In bad 

 cases, when the constitution is impaired by defective kennel 

 arrangements, the sores become very foul, and are then very diffi- 

 cult to heal. In order to remove this state of things, the general 

 health must first be attended to, using the same means as in 

 " blotch " if the cause is the same, and touching the sores them- 

 selves with blue-stone, which should be well rubbed into the roots 

 of the nails, first scraping it to a fine point. When the health is 

 much impaired and the sores are in the foul state described above, 

 give from five to eight drops of liquor arsenicalis with each meal, 

 which for this condition should be of good nourishing food. This 

 remedy must be continued for weeks, or even months in some 

 obstinate cases. Here, after applying the blue-stone, it is often of 

 service to rub in a very little tar-ointment, and then dust all over 

 with powdered brimstone, dipping the foot into a box of it being 

 the best mode of applying it. 



Foul mange (resembling the ])soriasis of man in its nature) is a 

 most unmanageable disease, inasmuch as it has become quite con- 

 stitutional before it can be so designated, and because, being a 

 disease of the blood, it requires a complete change in the composi- 

 tion of this fluid before it can be eradicated. It is doubtful 

 whether mange is contagious, but that it is hereditary I have no 

 doubt whatever, the proofs within my own knowledge being amply 



sufficient to convince me of the fact. Thus I have seen a bitch 



EE 



