200 Veterinary Medicine. 



This has been long known in the Kast, the transmission being 

 especially favored by the aggregation of the animals in herds, 

 and their camping in the same Khan or on the same ground in 

 succession. ' 



The acarus is Sarcoptes Scabei var. Cameli and it has less 

 evident markings on the integument than have other varieties. 

 The female is .44 mm. and the male .24 mm. long. 



Animals susceptible. It attacks indifferently the llama, 

 girafEe and antelope bubalis. Its transmission to man from 

 newly-arrived camels has been attested by Frank, Straus-Durk- 

 heim, Hamon and Biett, and its prevalence in Arabs handling the 

 diseased camels is familiar (Palgrave, Vallon, Gourdon, etc.). 

 In Senegal a similar skin disease attacks the negroes who handle 

 diseased dromedaries, (Berenger-Feraud, Carpot, Blanchard) but 

 the acarus has not been identified. 



Accessory Causes : I,ow condition, weakness, filth, using 

 the same lairs in succession, or the same trappings are especially 

 to be noted. Fatiguing travel from place to place reduces the 

 resisting power and encreases the opportunity for infestment. 



Symptoms. The thin parts of the skin, anus, vulva, peri- 

 neum, groin, sheath, mammae, inside of thighs and elbows, inter- 

 digital space, and abdomen are usually first attacked, but the 

 acarus gradually invades the entire body. There is intense itch- 

 ing, manifested by constant rubbing, nibbling, biting and scratch- 

 ing so that the animal may be all but uncontrollable, papules {yi 

 inch) arise, the hair is broken, twisted and rubbed out, and the 

 skin is thickened, indurated, corrugated, cracked, fissured and 

 abraded. The exudate concretes in thick, hard scabs, and the 

 discharge is offensive. The disease advances with great rapidity, 

 with increa.sing emaciation and debility and tends to marasmus 

 and death. The abundant cutaneous and subcutaneous exudate, 

 forms a fertile field for other infections and lymphangitis, swelling 

 or suppuration of the adjacent lymph glands, infiltration and 

 swelling of the hind limbs, or of the affected areas of the body, 

 and even arthritis and other internal infections ensue. Biett's 

 cases in man had gastro-intestinal inflammation and anasarca. 



Treatment. Clip the whole skin, wash with soap suds then 

 apply a mixture of tar and lard equal parts, or the lard may be 

 replaced by green soap, or any bland oil. A thorough and re- 



