Mange is the kennel term for several inflammations of the skin, whether acute or chronic, the chief popular distinction from surfeit or blotch being, that it is communicable from one to the other by contact - that is to say, that it is "catching." Hence, the sporting public exclude surfeit, blotch, Ac, from this definition, and only include under the term mange those chronic eruptions which are capable of being taken by one dog from another. There are, however, several distinct varieties, which are not sufficiently described; and every now and then I see a fresh and perfectly new form, so that I cannot give a complete epitome of them. Every sportsman must know that when his dog has an eruption, the first question asked is the following, namely, " Is it mange, or not ? " and to this it is not always easy to give a satisfactory reply. The following are, however, the forms of mange which I have met with; but, as I said before, I am constantly meeting with a new variety.

1. Virulent Mange

1. Virulent Mange, in its more ordinary form, occurs most commonly in utterly-neglected and large kennels, where dogs are suffered to remain in large numbers together, in all their filth, and without exercise. It is seldom met with elsewhere, but it is highly contagious. The skin is bare of hair in large patches, but these are not in regular forms, being gradually shaded off into the hairy parts, as if from scratching, and are nowhere quite free from hairs. It is dry and rough, with a few oozing scabs here and there, and with inflamed creases, extending wherever there is a fold. The eruption is generally confined to the back, bosom, and inside of the thighs. The health is not much affected, but from the loss of sleep, and constant irritation caused by the itching, there is sometimes some little fever. An insect (acarus) is the cause of this form of mange, but my readers will be none the wiser for reading its scientific name. The treatment consists in a gentle dose or two of aperient medicine internally, and externally of the application of the ointment of green iodide of mercury, which should not be rubbed in at one time over more than one quarter of the body, for fear of absorption.

In such virulent cases, therefore, as extend to more than this extent of surface, a part should be first anointed sparingly, taking care to leave no superfluous ointment on the coat but rubbing it till it has nearly or quite disappeared. With this precaution no danger is to be apprehended from licking, as a small quantity does no harm to a dog of average strength. By repeating the application every second or third day, the most severe cases are soon cured, no remedy within my knowledge being so certain in its operation. In case of failure, Bishop's mange lotion may be used instead. It is sold by Messrs. Barclay and Son, Farringdon-street, London.

2. Mange

2. Mange, with Thickening of the Skin, appears to be more dependent on constitutional disorder than the first variety, and for it the arsenical solution is no doubt very valuable. In this disease the discharge is very offensive; the skin is thick, and pouring out an irritating ichor, which occasions a constant and violent itching; the hair falls off, and the dog is continually scratching himself.

The Remedy for this state is a cooling diet, without any animal food of any kind, and composed chiefly of potatoes and other vegetables. A smart purge may be first given, and then the liquor arsenicalis in doses of from two to ten drops three times a day, mixed with the food, according to the size of the dog. If this dose makes the eyes red, or stops the appetite, or occasions vomiting, it may be diminished one-half; but the best plan in all cases is to begin with a full dose at first, and when the desired effect is produced, gradually to diminish it. Less than two or three months will seldom effect a cure, and green iodide ointment will often be required to complete it.

3. Red Mange

3. Red Mange, is the most easily detected of all the varieties, because it always shows itself by altering the colour of the hair, whether the dog is white or not. If white, the hair becomes pink; and if brown or red, it is of a brighter shade; while if black, it becomes reddish brown. It does not, however, fall off, except from the constant scratching which takes place. There is no eruption visible, but the skin is more red than natural.

The Remedy is either the ointment of green iodide of mercury, which, however, sometimes fails, or Bishop's mange lotion wash above mentioned applied to the roots of the hair with a stiff brush every other night. Liquor arsenicalis should also be given as above described.

Blotch or Surfeit is one of those skin diseases which is dependent upon too gross a diet, and is not of a specific nature, that is to say, it is not caused by contagion, nor by a parasitic insect. It begins with an irritation of the skin, which causes the dog to be constantly scratching. On examination, there is a matted mass of loose hair, as if some starch had been dropped on the coat; and when this comes off, the skin underneath is red, and deprived of its cuticle, discharging also a thin watery fluid. These patches occur chiefly on the back and the inside of the thighs, and also on the scrotum, where they are very commonly met with.

The Treatment consists in giving cooling and laxative medicines, with starvation and plenty of exercise. This will almost always effect a cure. Locally a piece of bluestone may be rubbed upon the sores, but they will not heal until the constitutional foulness of blood has been relieved, after effecting which local measures are seldom needed.

An Eruption between the toes is also constantly occuring in sporting dogs; and it is precisely similar in its nature and cause, and also in the treatment. Bluestone is almost invariably successful, if combined with purgation and starvation. It generally requires to be well rubbed into the roots of the nails, and also to the clefts between the toes.