144
STUDIES ON MANGE MITES OF LIVESTOCK
[Vol. XXII, Part II,
Sen [1934] gave a review of the different methods of treatment of follicular
mange in dogs. Basu [1944] gave a general account of the various types of mange
mites in India along with their standard treatment. Roy and Ghosh [1944] found
that oil of turpentine had properties lethal to Saccoptes scabei. Turpentine was
found to reach and kill mites in their burrows without preliminary cleaning of the
skin. Taylor [1945] showed that one per cent solution of Benzene hexachloride in
olive oil or liquid paraffin was more effective than benzyl benzoate or tetraethyl
thiurium mono-sulphide and DDT in the treatment of Notoedres acariasis. Psoroptes
mange in cattle and horses were successfully treated with a sulphur lime dust by
Gladenko [1946] and Fortushnuif [1947]. Tretyakova [1947] reported effective
treatment of Psoroptes mange in horses with a powder made from a fused mixture of
sulphur and naphthalene. Braun and Schuermann [1947] reported poor effect of
Gesarol (DDT) on Acarus scabei and on scabies. The curative effect was, however,
not superior to that of benzyl benzoate emulsion. Benzene hexachloride and
Gammazene were found efficient in curing sheep scab [Kemper, 1948 and Dowhing,
1948], scaly legs [Griffiths and O'Rourke, 1949], sarcoptic mange in camels [Draz, 1947]
and cattle mange (Brander). Phenothiazine ointment was found useful in
treatment of demodectic mange [McCay and Udall, 1949]. Penicillin was successfully
employed in treating demodectic mange [Floric and Gratecos, 1947].
Distribution and seasonal incidence
From the record of clinical material received from the various States and the
reports of State Governments and of the Disease Investigation Officers it is clear
that mange infestation is more or less common in livestock throughout India.
Regarding seasonal incidence of various species of parasitic acariasis causing skin
diseases of livestock some preliminary observations were made at Izatnagar in 1947
and 1948 and it was found that mange infestation was definitely seasonal and restric-
ted to a few months in the year viz., October to March. Sarcoptes scabei var.
caprae, the mite responsible for sarcoptic acariasis in goats was widely prevalent in
our area (Izatnagar) and its incidence was very high during the winter months.
Generally all types of mange infestation in livestock are worst in cold weather. The
head and the ears are usually the initial points of infection. Later on, the disease
extends backwards over the body and limbs. During the period October 1947 to
February 1948 the incidence of mange observed in goats varied from 33 per cent to
77 per cent, the peak being in December. During this period out of 79 goats ex-
amined for mange 59 animals showed mange infestation. As regards the follicular
mange infestation in dogs, 3 out of 16 dogs examined showed follicular mange infesta-
tion in 1948 in the month of November within the Indian Veterinary Research
Institute premises. In all the three cases, the area affected was found hairless and
the skin appeared deadened and grayish.
Some critical observations on various species of mange mites were made during
the period November 1949 to March 1950 and their incidence in various species of
animals is reported in Table I.