DISEASES 75f 



"This is carried off by the exudation. This is a law of nature, when 

 the ordinary channels are clogged, to try and excrete these substances 

 through the skin. This is particularly so in cases due to rheumatism, where 

 nature seeks to rid the system of the excess of uric acid and urates. These 

 substances act as direct irritants to the skin, and set up a catarrhal inflam- 

 mation. Washing dogs affected with eczema is to be avoided, as much as 

 possible, as both water and soap act as a direct irritant to the already 

 inflamed skin. The sulphate of magnesia or soda is in the beginning of 

 treatment of great value. When there is much constitutional disturbance, 

 opium and calomel in grain closes are indicated. Benzoated oxide of zinc 

 ointment in the milder forms is of great benefit. Tincture of arnica, 15 

 to 20 grains to the ounce, of an oily lotion is of value. Lotions contain- 

 ing salol or salicylic acid from five to thirty grains to the ounce, resorcin 

 in the same proportion. Dusting powders composed of acetanilid, salol, 

 salicylic acid, or resorcin with sterate of zinc as a base, is of value. When 

 disease is due to debility, mineral tonics and cod liver oil should be given. 

 When the disease becomes chronic, stronger remedies must be used; oint- 

 ments containing juniper tar, green soap and sulphur are of value. The 

 ointment of the nitrate and ammoniate of mercury are much used. In 

 cases where the skin is especially sensitive, silver nitrate, 1 grain to the 

 ounce of water will often effect a cure. In the chronic cases, especially, 

 iron, arsenic, calomel and quinine are to be used. The animal, while under- 

 going treatment, should be kept clean, and give plenty of exercise. An 

 eruption, resembling eczema, may be induced by large doses of mercury. 

 The skin becomes red and swollen, then forms large scales and hardens. 

 This eruption is generally limited to the limbs and scrotum. Some of the 

 symptoms are salivation, loss of appetite, eyelids closed, dullness, offensive 

 odor from the skin, and rarely, death." 



I now give you Dent's article on Eczema, written expressly for thia 

 book: 



"In medical nomenclature, eczema is a very comprehensive term. It 

 is applied to all diseases of the skin (except true mange or dog itch), and 

 on account of the irritation set up during an attack of mange, it is generally 

 complicated with eczema, which remains to annoy the dog and his owner 

 long after the mange mites are destroyed. 



"Dogs are particularly subject to skin diseases, that are the bane 

 alike of the breeder keeping a large number of dogs in kennels, or the 

 single house pet. While true dog itch is common enough, ninety per cent 

 of all skin diseases are eczema. 



"There is a close relation between the skin of the dog and his digestive , 

 organs, and a deranged stomach will quickly find expression through an 

 eruption of the skin; any poverty or plethoric condition of the blood will 

 also be expressed in the same way. If there is any defect or unhealthy 

 condition of the digestive tract, and it is called upon to digest unsuitable 

 food, it is only a question of time before poisons are introduced into the 

 blood that will produce inflammation and eruptions of the skin. Strictly 

 speaking, eczema is an inflammation of the skin due to the causes above 

 mentioned, and numerous others such as old, dirty, damp bedding, lack of 

 exercise, over-feeding, starvation, irritation from insects, lice, fleas or from 



