TROPICAL DISEASES. 101 



any of these dressings once daily and then use a dusting powder 

 made of equal parts of iodoform and tannic; acid. 



Care should be exercised to isolate the diseased animals and to 

 thoroughly disinfect combs, brushes, blankets, halters, and sucli 

 articles as may have come in contact with the diseased parts; for 

 this purpose use a 1 to 20 solution of creolin or of carbolic acid. 



DHOBIE ITCH. 



This is a very troublesome skin disease peculiar to the Tropics. 

 It is contagious and caused by a fungus. 



SympUmis. — Itching, the animal rubbing against the posts and 

 sides of the stall; small eruptions of the skin, which spread rapidly 

 and discharge a thin, watery secretion, crusts forming over the sores; 

 the hair falls out and the skin becomes thickened on account of the 

 irritation. Often the skin of a large part of the surface of the body 

 becomes infected with these sores, and ordinary healing washes 

 have no beneficial action. The treatment, like that of epizootic 

 lymphangitis, should be prompt and energetic, and, since both dis- 

 eases are caused by a fungus, should be similar in nature. One of the 

 most valuable remedies is made of equal parts of olive oil and creolin. 

 which should be applied once daily after thoroughly washing the sores 

 and removing the scabs. A mixture of alcohol 6 ounces and sali- 

 cylic acid 1 ounce is of value and is applied daily. In the absence 

 of alcohol, sulphuric ether may be substituted. Tincture of iodine 

 often eflFects a cure. If the case is persistent, cauterize the parts 

 with pure carbolic acid and then apply alcohol after the acid has 

 been on one minute. After cauterizing use the olive oil and creolin 

 dressing daily. 



On account of its contagious nature, all animals suffering from 

 this disease should be isolated, and brushes, combs, blankets, etc., 

 should be thoroughly disinfected with creolin or carbolic acid 

 solution. 



The common diseases of temperate countries assume a more 

 aggravated form in the Tropics. Infectious diseases are more fatal 

 and infected wounds heal more slowly. This is due to the lower 

 vitality of the animal and to the hot and moist climate, which favors 

 germ growth. Pneumonia is almost always fatal in the Philippines. 

 Canker and thrush are found in the most aggravated type. Peri- 

 odic ophthalmia is very prevalent, resulting in many animals becom- 

 ing blind. Heatstroke is a frequent occurrence, on account of the 

 excessive heat and moisture, and is fatal in the majority of cases. 

 The temperature in heatstroke frequently rises to 110° to 113° F. 



