576 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



of parasitic otitis/ Nocard has observed epileptiform attacks and 

 deafness as a complication of this disease. Ziirn affirms that this 

 acarus is certainly the agent of auricular mange in the cat.^ 



g. Mange of the Cat. 



Sarcoptic mange. This is caused by the Sarcoptes minor ; it 

 is generally localized upon the head ; its preferred seat is the bell 

 of the ear. At the beginning it is indicated by small red dots, 

 later by pimples and vesicles ; the integument becomes gradually 

 covered with an impetiginous coating; the hairs are erect and fall 

 out partially, the epidermis becomes bare, the exfoliated lamellae 

 and the dried-up contents of the vesicles form thick yellowish-gray 

 scabs, which may reach a thickness of one centimetre and conceal 

 a large number of acari. The skin becomes stiff, hard, and 

 wrinkled. The eyelids are very frequently tumefied, and a ca- 

 tarrhal or purulent conjunctivitis is developed. The pruritus is 

 very intense; the animals scratch themselves with their paws, 

 shake the head and rub it against hard objects ; they are down- 

 cast and lose flesh rapidly ; some succumb to the trouble. 



The eruption may spread to the cervical region, even to the whole 

 surface of the body ; the paws, the lumbar region, and the croup 

 are successively invadeed. It is especially in this form of the dis- 

 ease that a fatal termination is encountered. 



Treatment. Baths, anti-psoric washings and frictions, upon the 

 whole surfacé of the body, are means which should be prescribed. 

 Carbolic acid, which is very toxic for the cat, must be entirely 

 excluded. 



Helmerich's ointment is an excellent and inoffensive remedy. It 

 has constantly given us good results when the general condition 

 remained satisfactory. If balsam of Peru is more efficient than 

 Helmerich's ointment, it is also more dangerous ; we have several 

 times seen a single friction of balsam of Tolu upon the head pro- 

 duce a very intense cerebral excitement, rabiform spells, torpidity, 

 and death. We have also observed these accidents after the appli- 

 cation of rancid cod-liver oil, which is, however, recommended by 

 Schwartz. Styrax seems to be less dangerous. 



1 Since the publication of Guzzoni's work almost all authors admit that this affec- 

 tion is caused by symbiotes {Symhiotes auricularum, var. canis). — n. d. t. 



2 Sulphate of potassium in aqueous solution, 1 : 5 naphthalin oil and cresolated oil 

 giye a rapid cure of auricular acariasis in subjects of our small species. — n. d. t. 



