The red mange, so called from a redness of both skin and hair in the parts affected, is likewise not unfrequent, and partakes much of an herpetic character. In this variety there is less pustular eruption, but nearly the whole skin of the body, particularly in white-haired dogs, is in a state of active inflammation: it is also hot to the feel, and itches intolerably. In the red mange, the hair itself becomes morbidly affected, and alters in its colour, particularly about the extremities: it also falls off, and leaves the skin bare, much thickened, and puckered into stubborn wrinkles. Dogs with the strong coarse hair called wired are very liable to this state; in which a magnifying glass applied will often detect innumerable minute ulcerations, covered by furfuraceous scales.

Acute mange.—Besides that variety just noticed, there is yet a more directly acute form of the complaint, which puts on an appearance not unlike erysipelas in some instances; in others it is a pure erythema, or red efflorescence; but more frequently it is accompanied with some ulceration. It commences by a direct febrile attack, with panting heat, and restlessness; next some part of the body (usually the head) begins to swell, which, the second or third day, gives place to ulceration of the nose, eyelids, lips, ears, neck, &c. This ulceration proves superficial, but extensive; and continues a longer or a shorter period, as the treatment is more or less judicious. Bleeding, aperients, and febrifuges, form the constitutional remedies: the topical ones are tepid fomentations the first two days; and, when the tumefaction has given place to ulceration, the application of a cooling unguent of superacetate of lead (sugar of lead), with spermaceti ointment, will be proper. What remains of the affection, in a week or ten days’ time, may be treated as common mange.

Mange is apt to be considered more troublesome than hurtful, which is a great error; for it is not only invariably hurtful, but very often fatal also: when long continued, it frequently ends in dropsy. It sometimes diseases the mesenteric glands, and the subjects of it die tabid: neither in any case can it be neglected with impunity. In sporting dogs it is injurious to their qualities as well as their health: their scent invariably becomes impaired, and their general powers are always weakened by its irritation.

The following formulæ are adapted for the first described form of mange:—

No. 1.Powdered sulphur, yellow or black4 oz.
Muriate of ammonia (sal ammoniac), crude powdered½ oz.
Aloes, powdered1 dr.
Venice turpentine½ oz.
Lard, or other fatty matter6 oz.—Mix.
Or,
No. 2.Tobacco in powder½ oz.
White hellebore in powder½ oz.
Sulphur in powder4 oz.
Aloes in powder2 dr.
Lard, or other fatty matter6 oz.
Or,
No. 3.Powdered charcoal2 oz.
Sulphur powdered4 oz.
Potash1 dr.
Lard, &c.6 oz.
Venice turpentine½ oz.
Or,
No. 4.Sulphuric acid (oil of vitriol)1 dr.
Lard6 oz.
Tar2 oz.
Powdered lime1 oz.
Or,
No. 5.Decoction of tobacco3 oz.
Decoction of white hellebore3 oz.
Oxymuriate of quicksilver (corrosive sublimate)5 gr.

Dissolve the corrosive sublimate in the decoctions, which should be of a moderate strength; when dissolved, add two drachms of powdered aloes, to render the mixture nauseous, and prevent its being licked off, which ought to be very carefully guarded against: the best means for this purpose is a muzzle having a very fine wire capping or mouth-piece, which will effectually prevent the dog from getting his tongue applied to the ointment, which would prove his almost certain destruction.

The formulæ for red mange are as follow:—