Eczema of Cattle. g53 



The cause of seborrheic eczema is unknown, but the influence of microorgan- 

 isms seems not improbable, although in a case of the authors it was not possible 

 to transmit the disease to a healthy foal by rubbing the triturated scabs into the 

 shaved and scarified skin, and in the cases hitherto observed no microorganisms 

 were found. (In a case of the authors the mother of a diseased animal had ap- 

 parently been similarly affected herself.) ^ 



To what class seborrheic eczema belongs has not yet been determined. T^una 

 considers it an independent form of eczema which has a tendency to serpimnous 

 extension as well as to central spontaneous healing, and is characterized by an 

 abnormal high fat content of the deposition of the skin. The same author con- 

 siders seborrheic eczema to be related to psoriasis, taking this to be only an ex- 

 oTtL''"H '^V""f ^ fatless modification of the very variable seborrheic eczema. 

 ri.fn!f f 1 r "'°'^ "'^i''^^ '"^° ^"^ "«* y^* convinced that the eczematous 

 ?inn 1 !i i' r'.T'*''"^,^^' ^'^^" 1^''«^'^'^' ^"'^ «0">e consider it an open ques- 

 consi.Sf tw r } ?* \ ^"^''"'i "P"" ^' ^ trichophytic <lisease.-Schindelka 



considers the disease to be a form of eczema. 



o+ +1,^^ 'donkeys Bossi noticed a seborrheic eczema. On the forehead, cheeks, neck 

 at the breast and under parts of the body the hair could easily be pulled oiit and 

 was matted by orange yellow greasy scabs, the hairless places being covered with 

 bran-like sea es; intense itching was also present. Washing with warm lye and 

 suitable feeding resulted in healing in a short time. 



The exanthemata occurring in the course of strangles or catarrh of the air 

 passages and often accompanied by itching (Cagny, Leblanc) should not be classi- 

 fied as an eczema, since it only constitutes a partial symptom of strangles (Com- 



p3.r6 V 01. A. J , 



(b) Eczema of Cattle. 



/uo^?'"^^^^ ^^'^"^ ^^^ eczema-like malt- and potato-eruption 

 ( bclilempeaussclilag") acute eczema occurs onlv rarely in 

 cattle and develops chiefly in animals that are confined in dirty 

 barns and are badly nourished and cared for. Favorite points 

 of attack are the forehead, the back of the neck and the root of 

 the tad, where it sometimes assumes the form of a squamous 

 eczema, and again spreads over the whole surface of the skin 

 causing moist eczema with intense itching. In the latter case 

 pustules, and later on thick scalv scabs arise, so that now the 

 character of the disease corresponds to that of eczema rubrum 

 and impetigmosum. In this form the disease develops in the 

 winter and especially in animals emploved at hard work (La- 

 tosse) and by constant rubbing deep seated inflammation of the 

 skin and abscess formation may be produced. 



On the other hand acute eczema may occur after the use of 

 mercurial preparations, especially gray ointment (E. mercu- 

 riale) and m connection with scab. Eczema also occurs on the 

 hind fetlocks, seldom on those of the fore limbs, and runs a sim- 

 ilar course to that seen at the fold of the fetlocks in horses. 



Between the digits an acute eczema (intertrigo) develops 

 it the animals travel much on stony or muddv roads, or if, in 

 the barn, their feet are constantly soiled by liquid manure. '( )n 

 the fine skm at this place little vesicles break out, which later 

 change into intensely reddened, sensitive, moist spots. 



At the end of the tail under the hair of its tuft an acute 

 eczema (tail eczema) occurs in cattle which are continuously 

 stabled Dampness and dirt play a part in its production, 

 especially if tlie ammals are fed on sloppv food. 



Chronic eczema can also develop, owing to want of clean- 



