domesticated and other animals. Unlike the other form of ringworm termed 

 favus, a very much rarer malady, it is not especially liable to attack 

 debilitated animals. We shall first devote our attention to the consideration 

 of the common variety, and then shall shortly review the nature and 

 treatment of the much rarer form. 



In the ordinary ringworm, the hairs are invaded in circular patches by 

 the rapidly spreading fungoid growth. If this parasite be examined under 

 the microscope, it will be seen to consist of little slender-jointed rods, and 

 small highly refractile spores. This parasite spreads not only into the 

 sheath, but also up the shaft of the hairs, and is known technically as the 

 trichophyton tonsurans. The hairs become drier and more friable, and then 

 break off near the roots, leaving little bald patches covered as it were with 

 stubble. The commoner seats for the growth of ringworm are the back, 

 neck, hind-quarters, and face. 



Ringworm is a very contagious malady, and the animals infected should 

 therefore be isolated for a time from the healthy ones. To prevent the 

 spread of the disease, the stables should be cleaned, and the walls 

 whitewashed. The affected parts should be thoroughly washed with soft 

 soap and hot water, and the scabs removed. After these preliminary steps, 

 the circular patches may be dressed three times daily with a concentrated 

 solution of hyposulphite of sodium (two drachms to each ounce of water); or, 

 if preferred, the parts may be anointed with iodine ointment, or with a 

 solution of blue vitriol (one drachm to each ounce of water). The harness, 

 collars, and clothing should be washed with soft soap and hot water, and 

 then with water to which hyposulphite of sodium has been added, in the 

 proportion of one ounce to a quart of water. The rarer form of ringworm, 

 generally spoken of as honey-comb ringworm, is due to the growth of a 

 fungus called the Achorion Schonleinii. This disease is attended by the 

 formation of yellowish cup-shaped scabs of a circular form. Professor 

 Williams records that some years ago he was called upon to attend a 

 number of animals affected with this yellow honey-comb ringworm. This 

 disease, which may be communicated from man to animals, in this respect 

 resembling the common variety of ringworm, had attacked twenty horned 

 cattle, three horses, some dogs, and several cats. The latter creatures had 

 been in the habit of sitting on the backs of the horses and cows, and 

 " doubtless the disease had been caught from mice by the cats, and then 

 transmitted by them to the other animals about the place.'" The formation 

 of the circular patches is attended by some itching. The hairs are generally 

 invaded in this form of ringworm, as in the other variety. The scabs should 

 be thoroughly washed in warm water and soft soap, and then anointed with 

 the hyposulphite solution, or with the official ointment of iodine, or that of tar. 



The ointments are probably best adapted for general use in cases of 

 ringworm, because they do not become so quickly dried, and one application 

 a day will prove sufficient, whereas the solutions, especially that of 

 hyposulphite of sodium require to be painted on the affected part at least 

 twice or three times during the course of each day. 



