of the scratching, which is very frequent, but not so severe as in the virulent or foul mange. It appears most probable that red mange is contagious, but it is by no means a settled question, as it will often be seen in single dogs which are in the same kennel with others free from it entirely. Of its exact nature I know nothing, beyond the theoretical belief, founded upon analogy, that the disease is in the blood, and is not caused by any parasite. Dogs which are highly fed, and which are allowed to lie before the fire, are the most subject to it, while the poor half-starved eur becomes affected with the foul or virulent forms. The treatment consists in lowering the diet, giving aperients (12) or (13); following these up with the addition of green vegetables to the food, and at the same time using one or other of the following applications every other day. In obstinate cases arsenic may be given internally (see page 418). Dressing for red mange : Green iodide of mercury, 14 drachm. Spirit of turpentine, 2 drachms. Lard, 1 ounce. Mix, rub a very little of this well into the roots of the hair every other day. Carbolic acid, 1 part. Water, 30 parts. Or, Use as a wash. Canker of the ear has been alluded to under the disease of that organ at page 396. Irritative inflammation of the skin is produced by fleas, lice, and ticks, which are readily discovered by examining the roots of the hair. Dog-fleas resemble in appearance those of the human subject. The lice infesting him are, however, much larger, but otherwise similar in appearance. Dog-ticks may easily be recognised by their spider-like form, and bloated bodies, the claws adhering firmly to the skin, so that they are with some difficulty removed from it. These last are of all sizes, from that of an average pin's head to the dimensions of a ladybird, beyond which they seldom grow in the dog. They suck a great quantity of blood when they are numerous, and impoverish the animal to a terrible extent, partly by the drain on the system, and partly by the constant irritation which they produce. The remedies are as follows: To remove fleas and lice : Mix soft soap with as much carbonate of soda as will make it into a thick paste, then rub this well into the roots of the hair all over the dog's body, adding a little hot water so as to enable the operator to completely saturate the skin with it. Let it remain on for half an hour, then put the dog into a warm bath for ten minutes, letting him quietly soak, and now and then ducking his head under. Lastly wash the soap completely out, and dry before the fire, or at exercise, if the weather is not too cold. This, after two or three repetitions, will completely cleanse the foulest skin. Dry remedies for lice and ticks: Break up the lumps of some white precipitate, then with a hard brush rub it well into the roots of the hair over the whole body. Get rid of the superfluous powder from the external surface of the coat by means of light brushing or rubbing with a cloth. Put a muzzle on, and leave the dog with the powder in the coat for five or six hours. Then brush all well out, reversing the hair for this purpose, and the ticks and lice will all be found dead. A repetition at the expiration of a week will be necessary, or even perhaps a third time. Or, use the Persian Insect-destroying powder, sold by Keating, of St. Paul's Churchyard, and other druggists, which seems to answer well. Or, the following wash may be tried: Acetic acid (Pharm. Lond.), 31⁄2 ounces. Distilled water, 4 ounces. Mix, and wash into the roots of the hair. 425 CHAPTER V. DISEASES ACCOMPANIED BY WANT OF POWER. Chorea. Shaking Palsy.-Fits.-Worms.-General Dropsy or Anasarca. As inflammation is attended by increased action of the heart and arteries, so this class of diseases is, on the contrary, accompanied by a want of tone (atony) in these organs, as well as by an irritability of the nervous system, which arises from the same cause. None of them require lowering measures, but, on the contrary, tonics and generous living will almost always be demanded. I have included worms among them, because these parasites produce a lowering effect, and seldom infest to any extent a strong healthy subject, preferring the delicate and half-starved puppy, to the full-grown and hardy dog. CHOREA. Chorea, or St Vitus's dance, may be known by the spasinodic twitches which accompany it, and by their ceasing during sleep. In slight cases the spasm is a mere drop of the head and shoulder, or sometimes of the hind quarter only, the nods in the former case, or the backward drop in the latter, giving a very silly and weak expression to the animal. Chorea is almost always a consequence of distemper, so that it is unnecessary to describe its early stages, and the disease itself cannot be further defined than by the above description. It seldom goes on to destroy life, though occasionally it is accompanied by fits, the disease in the brain and spine then being of such a severe nature, as to end fatally in the course of time, the dog apparently dying from exhaustion. Of the exact nature of the disease we know nothing, the most careful examination of the brain and spinal cord leading to no useful result. But it often happens that there is present at the same time, a degree of mischief in the stomach, caused apparently by the presence of worms, and then the chorea is said to be sympathetic with this. In the treatment, therefore, it is desirable to ascertain the existence of worms, and if they are found, no remedy will be likely to be beneficial so long as they are allowed to continue their attacks. If they are only suspected, it is prudent to give a dose of the most simple worm-medicine, such as the areca nut (65), and if this brings away only one or two, the presence of others may be predicated, and a persistence in the proper remedies (see p. 439) will be necessary, till the dog is supposed to be cleansed from them. Beyond this, the remedies must be directed to improve the general health, and at the same time to relieve any possible congestion of the brain or spine by the insertion of a seton in the neck. Fresh country air is the best giver of strength, and it alone will often |