284 CLINICAL VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



limbs, sometimes even the lower surfaces of the thorax and abdomen. 

 It is principally seen in young or adult animals, but the suggestion that 

 it specially affects certain breeds is erroneous ; all are subject to it. 



It is characterised by reddening of the skin and acute itching ; 

 where the hair is white the skin shows a reddish tint. On the inflamed 

 skin little vesicles develop, which rupture, and are sometimes followed 

 by superficial ulceration and trifling discharge. In the more obstinate 

 cases a series of vesicular eruptions may occur ; the layers of the skin 

 become swollen and covered with a layer of thickened epidermis marked 

 by crusts and folds. Cases occur where this erythema, though at first 

 localised, gradually extends along the sides of the thorax and abdomen 

 behind, along the perinaeum as far as the anus ; anteriorly along the 

 lower surface of the neck as high as the head. In most patients the 

 inflammation is particularly acute in the folds of skin around the elbow 

 and groin, where the two surfaces of skin in contact become excoriated, 

 and sometimes discharge rather abundantly. 



Apart from the common form of eczema, accidental cases occur of 

 what Unna described in man ten years ago as seborrhoeic eczema, 

 characterised by a special inflammatory condition of the skin, epi- 

 dermis, and sebaceous and sudoriparous glands, and by depilation of 

 regular, sharply defined surfaces which gradually extend, and some- 

 times heal at the centre. This seborrhoea is dry, squamous, or crus- 

 taceous. As a rule the orifices of the sebaceous glands are obliterated 

 in consequence of excessive growth of the epidermis, the glands them- 

 selves being hypertrophied and the capillary follicles atrophied. 



Attacks of eczema have, as I said, a well-marked predilection for 

 certain regions, though they may be found everywhere ; no portion of 

 the skin is exempt. Some present special characters due to their 

 position, such as eruptions on the eyelids, ear, scrotum, and inter- 

 digital skin. Eczema of the eyelids causes marked swelling, depilation, 

 acute itching, and conjunctivitis, with rather abundant discharge, 

 which sometimes glues together the lids. That of the ear produces an 

 offensive discharge, and gives rise, like the preceding, to acute pain, 

 expressed by continual movement of the parts ; sometimes the skin of 

 the external auditory meatus is much swollen, and the conduit itself 

 obstructed. Eczema of the scrotum is remarkable on account of the 

 swelling and very acute hyperaesthesia of the inflamed surface, and the 

 abundance of the discharge. That of the plantar region and inter- 

 digital space produces lameness ; sometimes it is followed by sup- 

 purating dermatitis of the paw, which may become complicated with 

 sinus formation difficult to cure. 



Many cases of eczema at present under treatment in hospital are 



