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CANKER OF THE EAR IN DOGS.
509 in some workhouses the insane inmates are found A similar beach exists on the south coast of Devon and without occupation or amusement, living, eating, and Cornwall, as well as along the shores of the Baltic and sleeping in the same rooms with no means of artificial the seaboard of Chili and Peru. The island thus presented heating, and often with flagged floors. The cold and a good illustration of a geological phenomenon of worlddark "idiot cellshave been got rid of in most parts of wide interest and importance. Dr. Moorhead next exhibited Ireland, but there are still workhouses where cells are some specimens of marine saurians which were found in used as accommodation for the insane, places thoroughly the Portland strata. These sea monsters were the "great unsuitable for the reception of lunatics. The total ex- whales " referred to in the first chapter of Genesis as having penditure in district asylums for ofthe past year amounted to been created on the fifth day. Thefossil flora was then noticed, 21,570 5s. 8d. as com- including Cycadese and Coniferse, which, from their extra257,031 3s. 5d., or an increase The the with year. average cost per head ordinary luxuriance, had attracted the special attention of previous pared on the total expenditure was jE22 7s. 8d. geologists throughout the world. The stems of the fossil pine trees exhibited the usual concentric rings, indicative of annual growth. Such rings implied the existence of the seasons, and therefore, as the oolitic period formed part of the fifth day of Creation, confirmed so far the accuracy MEDICAL DEFENCE UNION, LIMITED. of the account given in the Book of Genesis, which records that the sun and moon on the fourth day were FORMATION OF A NORTH OF ENGLAND BRANCH. appointed "for signs and seasons." The trees in the FOLLOWING upon the successful proceedings on behalf of coal measures exhibit no such rings. The fossil Coniferae found in the quarries were unrivalled for their height a member in Sunderland, a meeting of the medical proand size; and when one looked at the remains of the fession of the counties of Northumberland, Durham, magnificent forest all around, it was not difficult to Cumberland, and Westmoreland was held, by the kind recall the past, and to think of the grateful shade enjoyed permission of the Council of the College, in the Council- by the island in remote ages, in contrast with its present An opportunity was afforded for treeless condition. room of the College of Medicine, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on fossil tree and many other a 19th. Professor the and visiting magnificent chair, Aug. Philipson occupied there was a large influential representative attendance of large fossils characteristic of the island. The visitors medical men. Letters of apology and cordial approval then proceeded to the convict establishment, and by the were read from many well-known practitioners in the permission of the Home Secretary were shown through the north. The objects, organisation, development, and working Portland Prison. The medical men who looked at the priof the Union were explained by Dr. Philipson, Dr. Arnison, soners in their cells were unanimous in expressing satisfaction with their healthy physical condition-a circumstance and Dr. Leslie Phillips, the general secretary. Resolutions were adopted recognising the necessity for an which was rendered more apparent by the fact that the which organisation having for its object the defence of individual prison inhospital contained very few cases oflife.disease Dr. G. H. members of the profession against unjust charges, expressing could any way be attributed to prison the belief that the Medical Defence Union, Limited, satis- Lilley, the medical officer of the prison, who has published factorily met this want, and establishing a North of England a most interesting guide to the isle of Portland, spared no Branch, covering the area of the four northern counties, efforts to show the visitors all that was to be seen in that with Professor Philipson as President, and Mr. G. E. department of the prison. After leaving the prison the Williamson as Hon. Secretary. A most influential and party were driven to the station through the island. representative provisional Council was appointed, with Weymouth was reached, and after light refreshments the power to add to its number. All information as to member- party started on the return journey, highly gratified by the ship &c. may be obtained from Dr. Leslie Phillips, 22, excellent arrangements for their reception made by the local secretaries, and the untiring courtesy and kindness which Newhall-street, Birmingham. had been afforded to them.
A VISIT TO WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND.
CANKER OF THE EAR IN DOGS.
AMID the arduous labours incumbent upon the assembling MR. A. J. SEWELL, M.R.C.V.S., communicates an inof so many large meetings of medical men during the " dog article to the Kennel Gazette of August entitled teresting days," which have since the time of Esculapius been asso- "Canker of the Ear." "All those who have had much exciated with the physician’s holiday, a pleasing break was perience with dogs," he says, " must have frequently noticed afforded to those medical men who attended the meeting that they occasionally show signs of great irritation in the of the British Medical Association at Bournemouth during ear constantly shaking the head, holding it on one side, by the earlier part of the present month by a visit to the and rubbing the side of theface along the ground, and now health-restoring town of Weymouth, and the still more and then scratching the back of the ear with the hind foot ; bracing island of Portland. An admirably appointed and yet in some cases, on casually examining the ear, there steamer, conveying 150 passengers, under the imme- is nothing much to be seen to account for these symptoms. diate supervision of Dr. Childs and Dr. Simpson, sailed A little dried brown excretion may be noticed; in fact, the from Bournemouth to what has been well named ears look just slightly dirty. The conclusion often come to the "Naples of England." The sea breeze, the sun- is that if the parts were cleaned the irritation would cease, shine, the beautiful scenery of this interesting part of but such is frequently not the case. If, instead of giving the South Coast, made the three hours’ sail seem all a hurried look into the ear in these cases the parts are too short. Carriages were provided for the guests so as to well examined and the canal leading into the ear is afford them an opportunity of visiting the town gardens, carefully watched, tiny white specks, oval in shape, to which they were conducted by Dr. Lush Dr. Griffin, and about the size of the eye of an ordinary small Dr. Moorhead, Mr. Wilton, and Mr. Browning. The sewing needle, will be observed. These are parasites party was then conveyed to the Victoria Jubilee, and (figured below), and are, in my opinion, the cause of handsomely entertained by the medical men of the town. that disease called canker of the ear." Mr. Sewell On proceeding to Portland, the quarries were visited, distinguishes this cause from those others which are and the geology of the island was lucidly expounded well known and from those others affecting the flap of by Dr. Moorhead. After mentioning the various forma- the ear due to eczema. He says : "These parasites, tions which constitute the upper oolite of which the island which I have called thepsoroptes auricularis canis,’ are is composed, he remarked that they afforded indisputable extremely active in their movements, and, if the ear be careevidence that Portland during past ages had experienced fully watched for a few moments, they may be seen running more ups and downs than any other island in the world, about the skin and also along the hairs in the ear at a having been upheaved and submerged at least five timesi fairly rapid rate, considering their minute size; and the before it attained its present position. Reference wasi irritation which they cause is due in a measure, I believe, then made to the raised beach which is found near the: to the tickling sensation caused by their movement, and Bill at a height of twenty feet above the present sea level.I partly the result of their biting. I have had these parasites
510 under observation for the last twelve months, but it is only just recently that I have been able to get some specimens to examine under the microscope, and these I bave had drawn by an artist, and I must say in passing that he has done justice to his work, for the acari, when seen with the microscope, look exactly like the illustrations given herewith. In one specimen of the larval form it will be noticed that the hell or covering has become partly removed, and the legs of the parasite are seen still lying curled round the body. This is exactly how it appeared in the specimen I examined. B is a young acarus not yet fully (yro wn, and from the number of its legs it is probabJy a female. c is a specimen of the male There are several distinctive differIn the first place, the ences between the male and female. former has eight legs, it is smaller, and they are far less numerous, there only being about one male to every twenty females. The female (D) is thicker set, and has only six legs, and in the centre of the trunk is a small oval body which I take to be an egg. In both cases the front legs are provided with suckers, which are somewhat triangular in shape and situated at the point of the toes. In walking the fore-legs are only used, the hind ones not moving, but are dragged along with the body. The psoroptes auricularis carnis does not burrow under the skin (epidermis) like the mange parasites, but lives on the surface, to which it attaches itself by its suckers. To prove this I kept a number placed under a watch-glass upon my arm for a day, and, though they caused slight irritation and raised small points by biting, they did not attempt to burrow. I also
" The treatment and cure of canker of the ear when caused by the pgoroptes auricularis canis is a very simple matter,
for, by applyiog some agent which will destroy these acari,
the irritation at once ceases. I have found the following lotion to answer the purpose admirably in all cases, both in dogs and cats :—K. ung. hydrarg. nit., 1 dr. ; ol. amygd,, 1 oz. :well mix. It should be applied all over the internal surface of the ear daily with a camel’s-hair brush, or a few drops may be poured into the ear. After a week the ear should be syringed out with tepid water and methylated spirits, about one in ten. I have heard it more than once stated by men who have had large experience with dogs, that they believed canker of the ear to be contagious, and no doubt it is, considering that it is due to a parasite which can be easily transferred from one dog’s ear to another. There is a somewhat similar acarus called the symbiotes spathiferus, which causes a certain form of mange in the horse, but I cannot find that thii parasite desciibed in the present article has ever been noticed in the dog’s ear or mentioned before.""
I
Public Health
and Poor
Law.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT. REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH.
Urban District -A good deal of building is be in progress in Accrington, and care is taken to secure proper construction of drainage, paving, &c. The death-rate during 1890 was 16’6 per 1000 on a population estimated at 40,000; the zymotic rate being 1’2. Under the compulsory notification system, 267 cases of infec. tious disease were reported :but the sanitary authority does not seem to care much about preventing their spread, for Dr. Milne reports again that nothing is being done in the way of providing the district with an isolation hospital. Small-pox did secure a site, but the attitude of panic having subsided, the matter has been allowed to lie idle. The general sanitary condition of the borough is said to be well maintained, and open midden privies are being steadily abolished. Public abattoirs of excellent description have been provided; the registered lodging-houses are well supervised, and some improvements have been effected as regards back-to-back houses. Some useful tables and diagrams are
Accrington
reported
to
the report. Handsworth Urban District -The general rate of mor. tality for this district, as judged by the estimated popula. tion, remains low-namely, 13’2 per 1000 for 1890. The zymotic rate has also been fairly low, and careful inquiries are made with a view to the removal of conditions favourable to disease, whenever infectious cases come under notice. Dr. Welch gives a retrospect from the statistical point of view, and we must agree with him in his contention that it affords a distinct proof of the beneficial results of the sanitary work which has been in progress in the district. Wimbledon Urban District -Mr. Pocklington admits that at the date of his report his calculation as to a death-rate of 10’6 per 1000 could only be regarded as an estimate, but the district has been free from epidemics and the general health good during the past year. In connexion with cer. tain cases of enteric fever he introduces a useful plate showing how water-supplies for closets may be dealt with under the circumstances in question. His inquiries have also led to an abatement of overcrowding in one of the elementary schools, and a great many minor sanitary defects have been dealt with. Toxteth Park Urban District.-In dircusaing the uses of the system of compulsory notification, Dr. Walter Steeves states that it has added to the knowledge of the sanitary authority not only as regards the existence of infectious disease in their district, but it has done so by pointing to the precise locality in question, and the information has been received promptly. This class of information has enabled the authority on many occasions to take early action as regards school- attendances, bad drainage, water-supply, milk-services, &c., by way of checking farther infection. In all, 141 cases were heard of. Of these, 112 were scarlet fever, but only four of these seem to have been admitted to hospital. This number is small, even when the somewhat excellent class of dwelling accommodation available in
appended to
Psoroptes Auricularis Canis, magnified about seventy times. A, Larval forms. B, Young acarus. c, Male. D, Female.
placed a number under a watch-glass upon the body of a hairless dog, and they did not attempt to burrow here, but they were very restless, for they could be seen with a strong magnifying glass to be constantly travelling about, which looked, I thought, as if they did not feel at home in their new situation. They did not seem to have bitten the dog’s skin, as after they were removed there was no signs of small blisters or papules ; besides, the dog did not seem to take the least notice of them, which would not have been the case if they had punctured the skin, as they did Of course, the skin lining the passage into the on my arm. ear is much thinner and softer, and here, I believe, the mites do bite, and as the result there is an exudation which, I consider, accounts for that brown and somewhat dry discharge so often seen in some ordinary cases of canker. I have never been able to find the acarus anywhere else about the dog but in the ear; in fact, they do not seem to wander outside the canal and crevices formed by the cartilage, not. even upon the flap of the ear, either inside or out. They vary in numbers-sometimes one can only find a few, abouti twenty ; in other cases they are present in hundreds, lying, in clusters like a heap of fine white powder. I have also frequently found these same parasites in cats’ ears, and inL some cases they induce rather extraordinary symptoms, thei cat being almost unable to walk ; in fact, when it attempts! to do so, the animal rolls about as if intoxicated, frequently falling over on its side. I have never seen the acarus cause; the same symptoms in the dog. .
A VISIT TO WEYMOUTH AND PORTLAND.
CANKER OF THE EAR IN DOGS.
AMID the arduous labours incumbent upon the assembling MR. A. J. SEWELL, M.R.C.V.S., communicates an inof so many large meetings of medical men during the " dog article to the Kennel Gazette of August entitled teresting days," which have since the time of Esculapius been asso- "Canker of the Ear." "All those who have had much exciated with the physician’s holiday, a pleasing break was perience with dogs," he says, " must have frequently noticed afforded to those medical men who attended the meeting that they occasionally show signs of great irritation in the of the British Medical Association at Bournemouth during ear constantly shaking the head, holding it on one side, by the earlier part of the present month by a visit to the and rubbing the side of theface along the ground, and now health-restoring town of Weymouth, and the still more and then scratching the back of the ear with the hind foot ; bracing island of Portland. An admirably appointed and yet in some cases, on casually examining the ear, there steamer, conveying 150 passengers, under the imme- is nothing much to be seen to account for these symptoms. diate supervision of Dr. Childs and Dr. Simpson, sailed A little dried brown excretion may be noticed; in fact, the from Bournemouth to what has been well named ears look just slightly dirty. The conclusion often come to the "Naples of England." The sea breeze, the sun- is that if the parts were cleaned the irritation would cease, shine, the beautiful scenery of this interesting part of but such is frequently not the case. If, instead of giving the South Coast, made the three hours’ sail seem all a hurried look into the ear in these cases the parts are too short. Carriages were provided for the guests so as to well examined and the canal leading into the ear is afford them an opportunity of visiting the town gardens, carefully watched, tiny white specks, oval in shape, to which they were conducted by Dr. Lush Dr. Griffin, and about the size of the eye of an ordinary small Dr. Moorhead, Mr. Wilton, and Mr. Browning. The sewing needle, will be observed. These are parasites party was then conveyed to the Victoria Jubilee, and (figured below), and are, in my opinion, the cause of handsomely entertained by the medical men of the town. that disease called canker of the ear." Mr. Sewell On proceeding to Portland, the quarries were visited, distinguishes this cause from those others which are and the geology of the island was lucidly expounded well known and from those others affecting the flap of by Dr. Moorhead. After mentioning the various forma- the ear due to eczema. He says : "These parasites, tions which constitute the upper oolite of which the island which I have called thepsoroptes auricularis canis,’ are is composed, he remarked that they afforded indisputable extremely active in their movements, and, if the ear be careevidence that Portland during past ages had experienced fully watched for a few moments, they may be seen running more ups and downs than any other island in the world, about the skin and also along the hairs in the ear at a having been upheaved and submerged at least five timesi fairly rapid rate, considering their minute size; and the before it attained its present position. Reference wasi irritation which they cause is due in a measure, I believe, then made to the raised beach which is found near the: to the tickling sensation caused by their movement, and Bill at a height of twenty feet above the present sea level.I partly the result of their biting. I have had these parasites
510 under observation for the last twelve months, but it is only just recently that I have been able to get some specimens to examine under the microscope, and these I bave had drawn by an artist, and I must say in passing that he has done justice to his work, for the acari, when seen with the microscope, look exactly like the illustrations given herewith. In one specimen of the larval form it will be noticed that the hell or covering has become partly removed, and the legs of the parasite are seen still lying curled round the body. This is exactly how it appeared in the specimen I examined. B is a young acarus not yet fully (yro wn, and from the number of its legs it is probabJy a female. c is a specimen of the male There are several distinctive differIn the first place, the ences between the male and female. former has eight legs, it is smaller, and they are far less numerous, there only being about one male to every twenty females. The female (D) is thicker set, and has only six legs, and in the centre of the trunk is a small oval body which I take to be an egg. In both cases the front legs are provided with suckers, which are somewhat triangular in shape and situated at the point of the toes. In walking the fore-legs are only used, the hind ones not moving, but are dragged along with the body. The psoroptes auricularis carnis does not burrow under the skin (epidermis) like the mange parasites, but lives on the surface, to which it attaches itself by its suckers. To prove this I kept a number placed under a watch-glass upon my arm for a day, and, though they caused slight irritation and raised small points by biting, they did not attempt to burrow. I also
" The treatment and cure of canker of the ear when caused by the pgoroptes auricularis canis is a very simple matter,
for, by applyiog some agent which will destroy these acari,
the irritation at once ceases. I have found the following lotion to answer the purpose admirably in all cases, both in dogs and cats :—K. ung. hydrarg. nit., 1 dr. ; ol. amygd,, 1 oz. :well mix. It should be applied all over the internal surface of the ear daily with a camel’s-hair brush, or a few drops may be poured into the ear. After a week the ear should be syringed out with tepid water and methylated spirits, about one in ten. I have heard it more than once stated by men who have had large experience with dogs, that they believed canker of the ear to be contagious, and no doubt it is, considering that it is due to a parasite which can be easily transferred from one dog’s ear to another. There is a somewhat similar acarus called the symbiotes spathiferus, which causes a certain form of mange in the horse, but I cannot find that thii parasite desciibed in the present article has ever been noticed in the dog’s ear or mentioned before.""
I
Public Health
and Poor
Law.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT. REPORTS OF MEDICAL OFFICERS OF HEALTH.
Urban District -A good deal of building is be in progress in Accrington, and care is taken to secure proper construction of drainage, paving, &c. The death-rate during 1890 was 16’6 per 1000 on a population estimated at 40,000; the zymotic rate being 1’2. Under the compulsory notification system, 267 cases of infec. tious disease were reported :but the sanitary authority does not seem to care much about preventing their spread, for Dr. Milne reports again that nothing is being done in the way of providing the district with an isolation hospital. Small-pox did secure a site, but the attitude of panic having subsided, the matter has been allowed to lie idle. The general sanitary condition of the borough is said to be well maintained, and open midden privies are being steadily abolished. Public abattoirs of excellent description have been provided; the registered lodging-houses are well supervised, and some improvements have been effected as regards back-to-back houses. Some useful tables and diagrams are
Accrington
reported
to
the report. Handsworth Urban District -The general rate of mor. tality for this district, as judged by the estimated popula. tion, remains low-namely, 13’2 per 1000 for 1890. The zymotic rate has also been fairly low, and careful inquiries are made with a view to the removal of conditions favourable to disease, whenever infectious cases come under notice. Dr. Welch gives a retrospect from the statistical point of view, and we must agree with him in his contention that it affords a distinct proof of the beneficial results of the sanitary work which has been in progress in the district. Wimbledon Urban District -Mr. Pocklington admits that at the date of his report his calculation as to a death-rate of 10’6 per 1000 could only be regarded as an estimate, but the district has been free from epidemics and the general health good during the past year. In connexion with cer. tain cases of enteric fever he introduces a useful plate showing how water-supplies for closets may be dealt with under the circumstances in question. His inquiries have also led to an abatement of overcrowding in one of the elementary schools, and a great many minor sanitary defects have been dealt with. Toxteth Park Urban District.-In dircusaing the uses of the system of compulsory notification, Dr. Walter Steeves states that it has added to the knowledge of the sanitary authority not only as regards the existence of infectious disease in their district, but it has done so by pointing to the precise locality in question, and the information has been received promptly. This class of information has enabled the authority on many occasions to take early action as regards school- attendances, bad drainage, water-supply, milk-services, &c., by way of checking farther infection. In all, 141 cases were heard of. Of these, 112 were scarlet fever, but only four of these seem to have been admitted to hospital. This number is small, even when the somewhat excellent class of dwelling accommodation available in
appended to
Psoroptes Auricularis Canis, magnified about seventy times. A, Larval forms. B, Young acarus. c, Male. D, Female.
placed a number under a watch-glass upon the body of a hairless dog, and they did not attempt to burrow here, but they were very restless, for they could be seen with a strong magnifying glass to be constantly travelling about, which looked, I thought, as if they did not feel at home in their new situation. They did not seem to have bitten the dog’s skin, as after they were removed there was no signs of small blisters or papules ; besides, the dog did not seem to take the least notice of them, which would not have been the case if they had punctured the skin, as they did Of course, the skin lining the passage into the on my arm. ear is much thinner and softer, and here, I believe, the mites do bite, and as the result there is an exudation which, I consider, accounts for that brown and somewhat dry discharge so often seen in some ordinary cases of canker. I have never been able to find the acarus anywhere else about the dog but in the ear; in fact, they do not seem to wander outside the canal and crevices formed by the cartilage, not. even upon the flap of the ear, either inside or out. They vary in numbers-sometimes one can only find a few, abouti twenty ; in other cases they are present in hundreds, lying, in clusters like a heap of fine white powder. I have also frequently found these same parasites in cats’ ears, and inL some cases they induce rather extraordinary symptoms, thei cat being almost unable to walk ; in fact, when it attempts! to do so, the animal rolls about as if intoxicated, frequently falling over on its side. I have never seen the acarus cause; the same symptoms in the dog. .