FOLLICULAR MANGE. 307 
impairment of the general health. Therefore tonics or other appropriate rem- 
edies should be administered if required. 
FOLLICULAR MANGE. 
Follicular mange is a parasitical affection, characterized by disease of the 
hair-follicles, subsequent inflammation of the adjacent skin and tissues imme- 
diately beneath it, and the formation of small blister-like tumors or abscesses. 
It is contagious, but far less so than sarcoptic mange. Fortunately cases 
of it are very rare. While mature dogs are not exempt from the disease, it is 
confined almost entirely to puppies ; and very generally it makes its appearance 
between the fourth and seventh months. 
Earlier authorities, it would seem, were agreed as to the cause of this affec- 
tion, and in later times, aside from the writer, none have publicly dissented from 
the theory that the active agent is an animal parasite,— the acarus folliculorum. 
This, however, his experience does not sustain, and he is firm in his belief that 
instead of follicular mange being produced by an animal parasite, its true cause 
is a vegetable parasite or fungoid growth; also, that the disease closely resem- 
bles the so-called barber’s itch in man. 
While it is communicable by contact, lack of cleanliness, damp kennels, and 
general neglect certainly favor the parasite which causes it. In other words, 
dogs under those influences are more liable to suffer from follicular mange than 
others well cared for, in clean, dry kennels. 
Each hair has a root which is planted in the skin. This presents a bulbous 
enlargement at its extremity, and is lodged in what is called the hair-follicle. 
In the disease under consideration the hairs are first affected; then the follicles 
are inflamed, and the adjacent skin becomes hot, red, and swollen. 
Analyzing the eruption of follicular mange, it commonly consists of small 
swellings, like boils, only a few of which appear at first — scarcely more than 
two or three. They then slowly increase in number, until eventually the body 
is literally a solid mass of them. 
In the beginning they are firm and hard, and, like commencing boils, feel 
as shot under the skin. They are then also about as large as buckshot. 
Gradually they increase in size, and eventually attain about that of filberts; 
but they do not rise far above the surface. While becoming larger they are 
softening, and at the same time the skin over them is growing thinner and 
thinner, until it can be easily ruptured by pressure between the thumbs. 
During the time that process is going on a peculiar and characteristic 
change is taking place in the appearance of the skin over the tumors or swell- 
ings, it becoming a purplish red color. This is due to the thinning of the skin, 
until it is nearly transparent, and the bloody matter beneath, which has the 
