DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 131 



In all cases when acute eczema makes its appearance, the first step in 

 local treatment is to remove the hair, not only over the eruption, but for a 

 sufficient distance from it to insure the disease is seen in its entirety. 



With the scissors remove the greater portion and shave closely. The 

 parts are then to be carefully washed, remembering to use cold water, car- 

 bolic soap, a soft sponge, and to be exceedingly gentle, as an approach to 

 hard rubbing will add to the inflammation. 



In using medicinal applications it must be remembered the skin is in a 

 very irritable state, and the treatment should necessarily be soothing. The 

 balsam of peru is a remedy which has for years been much used in the 

 treatment of skin diseases; in many cases it has proved efficacious, in 

 others less active ; when unsuccessful it is presumed other essentials in 

 treatment were neglected. The writer has sufficient confidence in the rem- 

 edy to recommend its use. 



After the hair has been shaved off, the parts carefully bathed and 

 allowed to dry, the balsam should be warmed and freely applied. Gen- 

 erally nothing more need be done until the following day, when it will be 

 well to again use the balsam or freely apply the oxide of zinc ointment, 

 this being especially indicated if the skin is very irritable, and the animal 

 is inclined to scratch. 



Until recovery takes place, or it is evident other local remedies must 

 be resorted to before a cure can be accomplished, the balsam should be 

 used continuously or alternated with the zinc ointment. 



In rare instances notwithstanding these applications, the itching will 

 still be intolerable, and the animal continue to gnaw or scratch. 



If necessary camphor and morphine can be added to the zinc ointment 

 as follows. — 



R Morph. Sulph. gr.ij 



Pulv. Camphorae 3 ss 

 Ungt. Zinci Oxidi g i 

 Ft. Ungt. Sig. Apply not too freely. 



While ointments are almost invariably serviceable, occasionally the 

 secretion from the eruption will be excessive, and powders will be needed 

 to check it. The powdered oxide of zinc or the subnitrate of bismuth are 

 advised in such cases. 



The writer appreciates that this advice to cut and shave the hair will 

 not always be followed, or at least it will be done with reluctance and 

 after other means have been sought and employed. In such cases the 

 balsam of peru should be heated and poured on to the eruption, and rub- 

 bed in well with the finger two or three times daily, or the following 

 can be applied — 



