DISEASES OP THE SKIN. 333 



This is very contagions — more so than the follicular 

 mange ; there is much more irritation, itching, etc. 



The hair follicles are greatly affected in the follicular 

 disease, and the scabs have a peculiar sort of moldy smell. 

 Tenderness replaces itching. It is more common in young 

 dogs. 



In the early stages the diagnosis from eczema is not 

 difficult ; later, the microscope alone may decide. 



Though nearly all skin diseases in the dog are popular- 

 ly termed '' mange,'' true itch is rare as compared with 

 eczema, which is very common. When a skin disease 

 rapidly spreads through a kennel, mange is to be sus- 

 pected ; though the possibility of several dogs being af- 

 fected in a like way, from gorging, is not to be forgotten. 



Follicular mange is apt to begin about the head. 



If not soon cured, both become associated with eczema 

 from irritation, when the diagnosis becomes more difficult, 

 but generally possible by the help of the microscope. 



Eczema is, in the larger proportion of cases^ a consti- 

 tutional disease, or the expression of a disorder within. 

 All the forms of parasitic disease are essentially local, 

 though, from the irritation they produce, the constitution 

 soon suffers. 



An investigation into the whole environment of the 

 patients is always advisable, both for purposes of diagnosis 

 and treatment. In a large proportion of cases the disease 

 will turn out to be eczema, due to excessive or scanty 

 feeding, improper diet, etc. 



Is eczema contagious? One has only to observe the 

 effect of the exudation on comparatively healthy skin to be 

 convinced of its irritating effect. That the discharge can 



