This is an ambiguous term, and various forms of skin diseases are included under it; thus we have red mange, blotch, etc., but it is better to reserve the term mange for such skin diseases as are induced by parasites, living upon, or burrowing into the skin, of which there are several varieties infesting the cat, the principal one being known as the Sarcoptic Mange Parasite (Saracoptis Cati), which lives upon the skin, inducing severe irritation, redness, and loss of hair. The parasites, or their eggs, may be conveyed directly, from one cat to another by contact, or by indirect transference, such as through the medium of chair-cushions, sleeping - places, travelling-hampers, show pens, etc., and one mangy cat may often be the means of spreading the complaint throughout a whole neighbourhood.

Mange in the cat is communicable to man, but, strange to say, when the parasites are thus transferred, they only induce a temporary form of itch, and certainly not severe like that brought on in true cases of human itch, which so often appears between the fingers; therefore the presence of a mangy cat need cause no undue alarm so far as the members of the household are concerned.

When cats are allowed access to stables where horses are kept in a dirty and unhealthy condition and affected with mange, they (cats) sometimes contract the disease from this source, whilst the converse statement also applies. A mangy cat soon becomes a wreck, but the progress of the disease certainly varies - sometimes being slow, at others rapidly extending over the body.

Where a number of cats are kept together as in cat boarding establishments, there is a special liability to contract this malady, so that it is never advisable to send cats to such homes, private boarding places being preferable; and most veterinary surgeons will take cats in for this purpose, - the only difficulty being that cats are extremely difficult to feed when they go into a strange place, moping and refusing food, almost up to the point of starvation, in many cases.

Veterinary inspection at shows unquestionably curtails the spreading of mange from such a source.

Treatment

Greasy applications must be avoided, being inadmissible.

In ordinary cases of mange, and when the disease is of very limited extent, the following Lotion will be found useful: Creosote . . . 1 1/2 drachms.

Methylated spirit . . 4 ounces.

Wet the bare patches twice daily with it.

As a rule, it is necessary to dress the cat from head to foot, and the best application is lime and sulphur lotion (prepared by boiling lime and sulphur together, mixed with water). This destroys the cause of the mange, viz. the parasites, in about half-an-hour. Care must be taken to guard against re-infection, therefore thoroughly cleanse and disinfect all the articles with which the cat has been in contact. In cats that are of no particular value, the most economical plan is to have such destroyed.

But with valuable cats we think it advisable to consult a veterinary surgeon, and act in accordance with his judgment.