CHAPTEK IX. 



DISEASES OF THE SKIX AXD EYE. 



ERYTHEMA. 



Erythema is a slightly iiifiaiiied condition of the skin, unat- 

 tended by any eruption. The parts are slightly swollen, hot, 

 tender, or itchy, and dry, and if the skin is white there is 

 redness. 



Erj'thenia may arise from a variety of causes, as chilling or 

 partial freezing, heat and burning, chapping, urine, and medi- 

 cine. 



Treatment. — Apply the following several times daily : Sul- 

 phate of zinc 1 ounce, acetate of lead 1 ounce, w^ater 1 quart. 

 Or, use the following ointment twice daily : Oxide of zinc 1 

 ounce, cosmoline G ounces. 



GREASE. 

 (Plate XVII.) 



Grease is a chronic inflammation of the skin of the back part 

 of the fetlock and pastern. 



The skin is at first red, swollen, painful, and hot. It is soon 

 covered by vesicles (blisters) which burst and discharge a thin^ 

 yellowish liquid, which is at first without odor. The hairs are 

 matted together erect, or fall out in large quantities. 



Grease produces, in the course of time, serious alterations in 

 the pastern or fetlock. The excreted liquid becomes decom- 

 posed and softens the epidermis. A kind of sticky, doughy 

 exudate is formed, which is of bad aspect, of fetid odor, and 

 very irritating. 



The back part of the pastern and fetlock becomes the seat of 

 granulating wounds, the granulations ranging in size from that 

 of a pea to a large grape (the so-called grapy stage). 



Treatment. — In the first stage cleanliness and the application 

 of the ordinary drying powder or antiseptic ointments are 

 sufficient. In cases where proud flesh exists, the granulations 

 must be removed with the knife and burned with red-hot iron 



(87) 



