338 Journal of Agriculture. [8 June, 1908. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



S. S. Cameron, M.R.C.V.S., Chief Veterinary Officer. 



Xon-Parasitic Skin Diseases. — Hidebound and Chafing — Itch (j/ruritis) — Nettle Eash or Urticaria — 

 Eczema, Simi^le Eczema, Scaly Eczema, Rain-rot in Sheep — JIud Fever — Mallenders and Sallenders — 

 Crackecl Heels — <_!rease (Pustular eczema) — Warts or Anyleberries. 



I. NON-PARASITIC SKIN DISEASES. 



Hidebound and Chafing. 



The term " hidebound " is applied to a condition of the skin in which 

 it is dry, harsh and tightly drawn over the subcutaneous structures instead 

 oi being soft, pliable and easily grasped by the hand. Such a condition is 

 an indication of unthrif tiness and wasting ; it is especially marked in 

 diseases of the digestive organs {e.g. worms) and in the emaciation stages 

 of tuberculosis or other chronic disease in cattle but may occur as a 

 symptom in many other diseases. When in this condition the skin is 

 particularly liable to "chafe" and the hair becomes easily rubbed off 

 where\'er it is exposed to harness friction. 



Treatment. — Obviously the most rational treatment is to overcome the 

 disease of which hidebound is a symptom ; but in those cases in which 

 n<> serious sy.sfemic disturbance exists an attempt should be made to 

 improve the general tone by the giving of tonics and by dietetic alteratives. 

 The mucilage of linseed is particularly valuable in such cases. It is made 

 by boiling a pound of linseed in a gallon of water over a slow fire until 

 a thickish slime is formed, of which half a pint or a pint may be given 

 mixed with the feed at the evening meal. 'Carrots, green-stuff, and 

 boiled barley are also useful. Such like "changes" should be supple- 

 mented by the giving of skin tonics of which Fowler's solution of arsenic 

 is perhaps the best. Fowler's solution may be made by boiling together 

 I J drams each of arsenic and carlx)nate of potash in one pint of water 

 until dissolved, the resulting solution teing made up to one pint by the 

 addition of water. Do.se — one tablespoonful in feed twice daily. 



As an external application for chafes nothing is better than a liniment 

 composed of equal parts of olive oil and water, emulsified by the addition 

 of a lictle carbonate of soda. 



Itch or Pruritis. 



Itchiness is a symptom of some disease or affection of the skin itself 

 or of some internal (bowel) irritation. For example — itchiness of the tail 

 is often symptomatic of worms {oxyuris vermicidaris) in the rectum, and 

 It is a frequent symptom of indigestion and of intestinal worms. It is also 

 present in mange, lousiness and other skin diseases. Want of grooming 

 by allowing the accumulation of scurf and dirt is a frequent cause of 

 itchiness of the tail and mane. 



For the subjugation of itchiness the cause must be ascertained and 

 removed ; if arising from mange the acaris must be destroyed ; if from 

 intestinal worms these must be evacuated (see treatment for intestinal 

 worms given later). To rid the mane and tail of scurf and dirt an excellent 

 application is a smartly shaken mixture of kero.sene (four tablespoonsful) and 

 water (one pint). This .should be rubbed in at the base of the hair which 

 should then be well brushed and combed. To allay itchiness of the skin 



