A disease which closely resembles human eczema is frequently met with in dogs, and, like every other disorder of the skin, is classed under the one general head of "mange."

It is caused by confinement in a close place; want or insufficiency of exercise; food improper in quality or quantity; dirty bedding, etc.

One form is commonly called "surfeit," or "blotch," and is supposed to arise from poor food combined with insufficient exercise, and other similar causes. When fully developed, diseased patches, varying in size and irregularly circular, are observed on different parts of the body. From the surface of these inflamed patches a serous fluid exudes, which presently concretes into scabs, and mats the hair together. In a few days the scabs and hair fall off, leaving the skin bare, inflamed, and moistened with exudation. Thin scales form from the desiccation of this exudation. There is usually considerable and violent scratching and rubbing from the itchy sensation, in which case the diseased surface is covered with some small clots of blood, the result of slight laceration of the skin.

The so-called "acute mange" is ushered in by febrile symptoms, and is characterized by an erythematous and swollen state of the skin. The swollen, thickened state of the skin depends upon infiltration of serum into the meshes of that structure. Vesicular and pustular eruptions follow, and when these burst, the diseased surface presents the appearance of superficial ulceration.

What is called "foul mange" is an aggravated form of the eczema above described. The skin is thickened, and exudes from its inflamed surface a large quantity of offensive serum or pus, or both; it is also chapped, wrinkled, cracked, and superficially ulcerated. The exudation forms thick yellowish crusts. The hair falls off, partly from constant and vigorous scratching, partly from being detached by the exfoliating scales.

The disease may be localized in certain parts, such as the scrotum, the eyelids, the ears, the feet, etc. When the eyelids are affected, the case assumes all the characters of the ophthalmia tarsi of man, which is a true eczematous eruption. When the disease attacks the ears, it constitutes or introduces the so-called "canker" of that part. When

* For the dose, etc., of these medicines, consult the "Introductory Remarks."

Food, Etc

The diet must not consist of flesh, cept in the case of weak puppies, or when the disease has induced marasmus and general debility. In all other cases, vegetable or farinaceous food is the most suitable; and even this should be given sparingly. The utmost cleanliness is required, and also good ventilation and moderate exercise in the open air.

The inflammation of the skin, and the consequent exudation and formation of crusts, is kept up by the constant scratching and rubbing in which the dog indulges as a relief to the itching sensation. It is consequently important to palliate this itching, as a step towards a radical cure, by lathering the skin every night with soft soap and warm water, and afterwards carefully drying.

For the other affections of the skin, consult the chapter on "Parasitic Diseases."