212 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



Causes. — Cold, wet seasons ; badly drained, dirty, and 

 uncomfortable kennels ; insufficient and nutritious food ; 

 inattention to the cleanliness of the skin, are each conducive 

 to the presence of ringworm. 



Symptoms. — The most prominent symptom is the charac- 

 teristic circular patch, with silver scaly crusts, whilst the 

 presence of the fungus at once removes any doubt that may 

 exist. The hair has a dry, harsh appearance, is exceedingly 

 brittle, and easily detached. As the disease advances, the 

 hair breaks of itself close to the crust, and when the latter 

 is removed, the hairs are exhibited in short, bristle-like 

 pieces, surrounded with the spores of the fungus. 



From the animal biting, rubbing, or scratching itself, the 

 characteristic shape is sometimes obliterated. 



The period of incubation is from eight to fourteen days. 



Treatment. — Mild mercurial and iodine ointments are 

 generally effectual in the treatment of ringworm. The 

 following is also a very useful application : — 



Whale-oil 6 ounces. 



Terebinth 2 ounces. 



Oil of Tar i drachm. 



Acetic Acid i drachm. 



To be applied to the parts after first thoroughly washing 

 the skin with soft-soap and warm water, and repeated in 

 two days and so on, as may be necessary. 



" Attention to hygiene is the principal object. Good 

 food and cleanliness must be insisted upon. Recovery will 

 be greatly accelerated by topical remedies. The scales 

 should be removed by washing the parts with soap and 

 water, or hyposulphite of soda lotion ; or, if the crusts are 

 very adherent dressing them with oil and afterwards wash- 

 ing. The diseased places may then be treated with a weak 

 solution of corrosive sublimate, carbolic acid, tincture of 

 cantharides, or iodine, oil of tar, chloride of zinc, paraffine ; 

 or mercurial iodine, or oxide of zinc ointment. This cures 



