The form known as tinea tonsurans is produced by the presence of a minute or microscopic fungus-the Trichophyton tonsurans, which affects the hair and the epidermic layer of the skin, and is highly contagious, being readily transmitted from one animal to another.
"Special Report on Diseases of Cattle"
U.S. Department of Agriculture J.R. Mohler
Masses of epidermic scales may form around the broken ends of the feathers.
"Common Diseases of Farm Animals"
R. A. Craig, D. V. M.
These, too, begin as sacs formed by infoldings of the epidermis; and while their parts are developing they are joined from within by nervous structures which were themselves epidermic in origin.
"Essays: Scientific, Political, & Speculative, Vol. I"
Herbert Spencer