Ringworm of Cattle . 
73 
Ringworm. — This prevalent affection of cattle is caused 
by a minute vegetable parasite or fungus ( Trichophyton 
mentagrophytes ), which gains access to the hair roots, where it 
grows more or less rapidly, causing removal of the hairs, the 
production of scales of epithelium, and sometimes inflammatory 
liquid. It is usually met with in calves and young cattle, 
commencing at the lips or about the eyes, and spreading to the 
rest of the head, neck, and upper parts of the body , rarely affecting 
the lower parts. The ringworm is usually first observed in the 
form of a circular, grey, elevated patch, of which several may 
appear at about the same time ; these may extend and coalesce, 
so forming very large areas. Ringworm is not usually 
regarded as a very serious disease ; indeed, it often disappears 
spontaneously. Occasionally, however, the disease manifests 
itself very severely, and in addition to the ringworm on the 
surface, there may be considerable liquid poured out, or a 
weeping, while the skin may be much swollen. In such cases 
the general health is rather seriously affected, and we have 
known fatal results. Low condition of the animal and a dirty 
condition of the skin appear to favour the activity of the 
parasite. 
The symptoms are obvious in the ringworm ; in acute cases 
there is a good deal of irritation, which causes the animal to 
rub itself, bringing off much hair and sometimes causing the 
skin to bleed. Under any circumstances, ringworm is an 
annoying and undesirable disease, temporarily disturbing 
animals, and interfering with their well-being. 
The affection spreads from calf to calf, and often when 
such are congregated in house or yard, nearly every animal 
becomes affected. The ringworm of cattle can be communi- 
cated to the horse, the dog, and probably other animals ; but 
the malady gains its greatest importance from the fact that its 
fungus grows readily on the human subject, and in children 
induces a severe and somewhat intractable form of ringworm 
(j Herpes circinata), in which there is acute inflammation of the 
scalp. This is then readily spread from child to child. There 
can be little doubt but that the systematic medical inspection 
of schools will draw attention to this not uncommon origin of 
child disease, which, fortunately, is suppressible by the exercise 
of care in the treatment of cattle. 
Treatment . — In many cases, plentiful supply of good food 
— always an essential of any system of treatment — is alone 
sufficient. Such happy results are, however, not always 
attainable, and not infrequently, ringworm is troublesome 
to get rid of. There are many remedies at our disposal, as 
mercurial ointment, iodine, creoline, paraffin, turpentine. It 
has come within our experience to meet with fatal results from. 
