748 PLASTIC OR PAPULAR INFLAMMATIONS. 



irregularly over the neck and quarters, we may observe larger 

 and rather flattened projections exactly of the character of 

 urticaria, probably the result of rubbing. 



We seem to observe this condition of papulation as a sequel 

 to the true papular elevations which have been accompanied 

 with much friction ; the itching, however, continuing to increase 

 with the rubbing, the infiltration and general thickening of the 

 skin between and amongst the papules depending much upon 

 the effusion resulting from m'itation incident to the rubbing. 



These papules which are in larger amount distributed 

 over the superior parts of the body, become abraded by 

 rubbing, and may, when a little rest from irritation is 

 allowed, be found covered over their summits with a dark- 

 coloured crust of coagulated blood and epidermic scales ; while 

 the entire texture of the skin upon which they are situated 

 is more distinctly thickened from infiltration, and often denuded 

 of hair. 



In the severe and very chronic cases, we have very moderate 

 elevation or papulation, but well-marked general infiltration 

 and coriaceous characters, with much exudation, the formation 

 of fissures, a dry wrinkled state of the skin, separate collec- 

 tions of pus beneath the epidermic crusts, great shedding of 

 scales, much itching, and sometimes swelling of the lymph- 

 glands with constitutional disturbance. 



In addition to this plastic or papular inflammation of the 

 skin, it must not be forgotten that some other conditions, such 

 as the presence of the scab acari and pediculi, may be, and often 

 are, attended with much itching and cutaneous infiltration. 



Causation. — As respects the causes, either remote or imme- 

 diate, Avhicli determine the appearance of these pruriginous 

 papular affections, we are very often in the dark. It seems 

 highly probable that those which may more properly be classed 

 as general or constitutional, as distinguished from local, are of 

 more importance and general operation. 



We find them appear both when the animal is above and 

 below par ; certainly many of the most troublesome and in- 

 tricate cases I have encountered have been connected with 

 malassimilation and defective nutrition, and Avere most bene- 

 fited by a course of treatment which aimed at the re-cstabhsh- 

 ment of healthy functional activity. 



