LICHEX— PRUKIGO. 749 



I am satisfied, also, tliat the tendency to contract these affec- 

 tions is transmitted as an inheritance from parent to progeny. 



That both nervous disturbance and a loaded condition of 

 the blood, from retention in the system of matters ^Yhich 

 ought to have been eliminated by ordinary emunctories, may 

 be closely connected with such local disturbances, is highly 

 probable ; but at present we do not possess information suf- 

 ficiently definite in confirmation of the certainty of such, nor 

 of the mode through which their operations are carried out. 



Treatment. — Wherever we are satisfied that dyspepsia exists, 

 that effete and Avaste material is retained in the system, the 

 indication is to correct such unnatural conditions in accord- 

 ance with rational views of the case and the teachings of ex- 

 perience. 



If the animal is weak and debilitated through Avant of 

 proper food, or as a sequel of some general disease, good food, 

 plenty of fresh air, with moderate but repeated doses of tonics, 

 of which the mineral acids deserve a trial, together with the 

 administration of neutral salines, are likely to be productive 

 of good results. When of full habit of body, a gentle purge, 

 folloAved by moderate but daily doses of salines, as the sulphate 

 of soda or magnesia, are to be employed early and previous to 

 aught else. 



Whenever the irritation and itching are troublesome, sooth- 

 ing washes or ointments will require to be liberally used. 



In many cases an alkaline wash, as a saturated solution of 

 bicarbonate of potash or the ordinary liq. amm . acet., with a 

 small quantity of glycerine and dilute hydrocyanic acid applied 

 twice daily, will serve the purpose well ; or one grain of the 

 bichloride of mercury to the fluid ounce of liquid, with a little 

 chloroform or tincture of opium or digitalis, with glycerine 

 and water, may be used alternately. With some cases of most 

 determined itching, relief has followed two or three applica- 

 tions of grs. ii. of nitrate of silver, or grs. iii. cyanide of 

 potassium, to the fluid ounce of water. When the condition 

 of the skin has assumed a decidedly chronic character, Avith 

 much thickening and scaling of the superficial layers, some of 

 the tarry preparations Avith sulphur and oil Avill be more likely, 

 by their special stimulating properties, to restore healthy 

 activity to the parts. In the internal treatment of these more 



