Mange is also a disease that in olden times was usually treated with harsh applications. Nearly all of the old writers upon the subject advise the use of mercurial preparations, as well as other dangerous substances, efficacious, it is true, in destroying the parasite, but highly dangerous to the health of the dog; as, from the nature of the trouble, the remedies must be applied to the surface of the skin that is abraded by the action of the mite, and the efforts of the dog to relieve the irritation by scratching further injures the skin, and poisoning from the absorption of a portion of the substance used is sure to result - not always, however, in quantity sufficient to cause very serious injury. Still the irritating or corrosive action is sure to cause trouble proportionate to the amount absorbed.

The presence of mange is due to a very small parasite that burrows in the skin, and when properly attended to in its early stage it is easily eradicated; but, when the trouble is of long standing, and the skin has become thickened, it is often a very serious matter to get rid of the parasite, owing to the fact that it is bedded so deeply in the thickened skin that remedies that are absolutely safe to use will not readily penetrate deep enough to reach the intruder.

Some writers claim that under certain conditions mange will be produced spontaneously; this, however, is as preposterous as it is erroneous, and will so remain until the laws that govern the reproduction of life shall be radically changed. That a filthy or enfeebled animal is more likely to contract contagion, when exposed to it, than would be the case were he cleanly and in perfect health, I will readily grant; but whether he be filthy or cleanly, sick or well, he cannot have mange until the living or embryo acarus is by some means placed upon his body. Just how the trouble is communicated may not always be clear, but, as it is well known that a dog can become infected by contact with one that is suffering from the trouble, or by occupying a kennel that has been used by him, there may be many other sources of contagion that escape our notice. How long the parasite will retain vitality when left upon the bedding or walls of the kennel I do not know, but I have no doubt that it will thus live for many days and perhaps weeks; and it is therefore of the utmost importance that kennel, bedding, collars and chains, as well as the ground or floor around the kennel of a dog that has had mange, should be thoroughly disinfected. For this purpose carbolic acid and naphtha are reliable and should be freely used, taking care to well saturate every portion of the kennel and its surroundings, as well as the collar and chain.

In treating a dog that is afflicted with mange, it is all-important that he be taken in hand before the parasite has become established, as, in its early stage, this trouble readily yields to proper treatment. As before advised, your dog should be carefully examined at least once a week by passing the hand over every portion of his body, when you will be able to detect anything that is wrong by the roughened or pimply feeling of the skin, should he be affected. When you discover anything upon the surface of the skin that leads you to suspect the presence of mange, you should at once apply the balsam of Peru, lard and sulphur ointment, as advised for eczema, and, in most cases, your dog will soon be free of the trouble. In cases of long standing the same course of treatment should be pursued, but first the animal should be thoroughly washed with warm water and plenty of castile soap, to soften the crusts or scabs and remove the dirt, in order that the remedy may have a chance to penetrate as far as possible into the hiding place of the parasite. Dry the hair thoroughly. If, however, there is no decided improvement at the expiration of a week, other agents should be employed.

Sulphurous acid (not sulphuric) will often destroy the pests when other measures appear to have no effect. It should be diluted with six times its bulk of water and freely applied, allowing it to remain without washing" until it is time for the next application, which will be from twelve to twenty-four hours, according to the severity of the case.

Many persons use carbolic acid for this purpose with good result, so far as destroying the parasite is concerned; but 1 dislike to use it upon the dog for any purpose, unless other agents prove to be ineffectual, as it is an irritant of the nerves and there is danger that harm will result from its absorption into the system. If, however, it appears to be advisable to employ this agent, three drams to one quart of water will be about the proper strength to use. After thoroughly bathing the affected parts with the solution, it should be allowed to remain not more than two or three minutes, when it should be washed off with strong soap suds.

When treating mange, it must be borne in mind that the parasite burrows beneath the outer surface of the skin, and obtains its food and deposits its eggs in the soft tissues that constitute the inner portion of the skin. It is therefore often the case that outside applications are unreliable, owing to the fact that the ointment or wash does not come into actual contact with its intended victim; and it often occurs, in cases that are to all appearances completely cured, that one or more of the parasites has not been exterminated, and in a few days, or perhaps weeks, the trouble again appears.

It is therefore of the greatest importance, when combating this trouble, that we should not trust too much to appearances, but persevere with unwearied patience in our course of treatment until the result is beyond doubt.