PRURITUS. 313 
The naphthol preparation ought to greatly lessen if not entirely control the 
itching, but if it fails to do so, the following should be tried: 
Iodol and chloral hydrate, of each one-half a drachm; glycerin, two 
drachms; lard, one ounce and one-half. 
Apply morning and night, with gentle rubbing. 
When the victims are very young puppies a simpler treatment would be 
better, and the mild ointment of sulphur and lard is recommended. 
It is not necessary to apply internal treatment for this disease, but of course 
the general health ought to be improved in every possible way, and all faults 
in management, etc., corrected. 
PRURITUS. 
Pruritus or ‘‘ itching” is usually a symptom, not a disease, but occasionally 
are seen cases in which there is intense itching, evidently due wholly to some 
internal cause which cannot be defined, and to such the term pruritus is con- 
veniently applied. The itching that is associated with eczema, prurigo, mange 
and like parasitical affections, and other diseases in which it occurs as a symp- 
tom, does not come under this head; for pruritus is a purely nervous mani- 
festation, and not attended by any alteration of the skin or tissues. The 
affection thus limited is chronic, and may be confined to a particular region, 
or extend over the entire surface. 
The etiology of pruritus is frequently obscure. It is known, however, that 
certain drugs taken internally will excite it. In diseases of the kidneys, jaun- 
dice and other liver disorders, it is quite common. It may occur in plethora 
due to over-feeding and want of exercise, also with worms, constipation and 
indigestion, and in consequence of poor circulation of the skin induced by 
lack of cleanliness and proper grooming. Old dogs are quite frequent victims, 
and in them the trouble is attributable to the structural changes in the skin 
which age produces. 
In young dogs the affection is most common among those which are much 
inbred and of highly nervous temperament. 
Let the fact be kept in mind that if there exists any structural alteration of 
the skin, except what might be induced by scratching alone, the case is not one 
of pruritus. 
The victims must be studied with exceeding care before treatment can be 
properly applied. Then all existing disorders should be overcome, and the 
general health improved as much as possible by ample exercise, judicious 
feeding, kennelling, etc. 
A highly efficacious ointment may be made of the yellow oxide of mercury, 
one part; vaselin, two hundred parts. This can be applied to all itching spots, 
