628 THE BOOK OF THE Doc. 



2. Follicular Mange. 



For most of our information concerning the symptoms and treatment of this disease we are 

 indebted to Mr. W. Hunting and Mr. Duguid ; and what follows is indeed none other than an 

 epitome of the former gentleman's very excellent and very complete paper on " Follicular Mange."* 



It is somewhat remarkable that a microscopic animalcule, the Acarus Folliculorum, should 

 exist in neglected hair-follicles of the human body without giving rise to any inconvenience, but 

 that the same creature transferred to the dog should create a loathsome and often almost 

 intractable disease. But such is indeed the case. The disease in the dog was first described 

 by Gruby, who induced it by direct inoculation with the parasite from man. 



" The symptoms" says Hunting, " of the disease are seldom seen in the first stages ; they 

 consist merely of circumscribed spots from which the hair falls, and upon which are noticeable 

 a few small pimples. These patches extend rapidly, and fresh ones appear on other parts. Any 

 portion of the skin may be affected, but the head, legs, belly, and sides, are usually the seat of 

 the disease. The affected places are almost hairless, and what hair remains is easily pulled out ; 

 small pimples and pustules stud the surface, the latter varying in size from a pin's head to that 

 of a pea. The confluence of the pustules, and the discharge of their contents, give rise to scabs ; 

 these crack and bleed, and so produce a most repulsive appearance. In white-haired dogs, the 

 skin is red ; in all it is extremely hot, and emits an unpleasant odour. The irritation does not 

 excite much scratching, but the dog frequently shakes himself. More pain than itching seems to 

 accompany the disease. In cases where the whole body is affected, loss of condition is most 

 marked ; and in cold weather the almost total loss of hair may cause death, if the animal be not 

 kept in a warm place. This stage, too, is always accompanied by a ravenous appetite, due, 

 probably, to the rapid loss of animal heat. 



N.B. The disease has been proved beyond dispute to be highly contagious, but not to such 

 an extent as scabies. 



Diagnosis. The pustules, the heat of the skin, and the comparatively slight degree of itching, 

 are nearly diagnostic. Puncturing one of the pustules, mixing its contents with a little water, 

 and putting it under the microscope are, however, requisite in order to arrive at an indisputable 

 diagnosis. 



Treatment. The following is the formula used by Hunting, and we may add it has proved 

 very effectual in our own hands. 



$. Creosotas 5 jv. 



Ol. oliv. 5 vji. 



Sol. potassae .. ... 53. 



Mix the creosote and the oil, then add the caustic solution. 



* "With regard to the treatment of follicular scabies, the situation of the demwdex renders it almost in- 

 accessible to parasiticidal remedies ; the disease it engenders is therefore looked upon as extremely troublesome, 

 and in the majority of cases almost beyond a cure. Often when it is believed to be extinguished, it re-appears 

 in all its virulency in one or two months. Nevertheless, Ziirn asserts that he has frequently succeeded with an 

 ointment composed of one part of benzine to four of lard. Weiss recommends the inunction of essence of juniper. 

 Zundel states that the balsam of Peru has often yielded good results when the malady has not been of too long 

 duration ; he has employed it dissolved in alcohol (one to thirty) ; he has likewise used the green ointment of 

 mercury with success, as well as the nitrate of silver ointment. Hofer speaks highly of an ointment composed 

 of carboHc acid, and Vogel prescribes a solution of caustic potash." Veterinary Sanitary Science and Police, vol. 

 ii. p. 438. 



