Symbiotic Scabies Acariasis in Solipeds. 173 



loosened so that it can be pulled out in tufts. I,ater the skin be- 

 comes thickened and rigid, sometimes wrinkled and folded, and 

 stocking is by no means uncommon. It is characteristic of the 

 disease to advance slowly, though the itching of the affected part 

 is intense and insufferable, especially in the cold weather. As in 

 all forms of symbiotic scabies there is some relief in summer, 

 when the freer secretions of the skin furnish the parasite with 

 abundant food and obviate the necessity of active biting. The 

 discovery of the symbiotes is easy and completes the diagnosis. 



A misleading feature of the disease is its failure for. months to 

 extend from animal to animal in adjacent stalls. Yet the experi- 

 mental transfer of the acarus immediately starts the disease in the 

 new subject. 



Treatment is simple and usually promptly successful. Cut 

 off the hairs from the affected part and a little beyond. Wash 

 with soapsuds leaving a strong lather on the surface for half an 

 hour. Then wash off with tepid water using a brush if necessary 

 to insure the thorough removal of the scabs. When dried apply 

 any one of the less volatile dressings named under sarcoptic 

 scabies. The tobacco lotion ; the tar, sulphur, soap and alcohol 

 dressing ; or the potassium sulphide preparation are very effectual. 

 A second dressing and even a third may be requisite at intervals 

 of two or three days. 



Prevention. Though contagion takes place slowly and un- 

 certainly, yet similar precautions are in order to those adopted for 

 sarcoptic scabies. The use of the same stall and litter, of the 

 same brushes, rubbers and sponges is especially to be prohibited. 

 It is also important to avoid stables, cars, yards, boats, etc., that 

 have held diseased horses, or that are reasonably suspected of the 

 same. All such should be thoroughly cleansed, and affected ani- 

 mals should be debarred from public places and conveyances un- 

 less they are to be immediately dealt with in this way. The 

 symbiotes will live 50 days in an untreated stable. (See preven- 

 tion of sarcoptic scabies). 



