Eczema in Sheep. 855 



(c) Eczema in Sheep. 



Chronic squaw o as eczema in sheep occurs in the course of 

 chronic diseases (fluke, verminous bronchitis, etc.) which lead 

 to anemia and cachexia (socalled Hungerrdude) and besides to 

 desquamation of the dry and less elastic skin. A similar eczema 

 also occurs in consequence of lack of attention and care. 



The socalled greasy heel {eczematous Mauke) occurs on 

 the fetlocks of sheep kept in damp and dirty places. It pro- 

 duces a form of disease similar to that of eczema of the fetlock 

 in the horse. 



Much more frequent and important is the acute, moist 

 eczema (moist or fat scab, "Regenfdule"), which occurs in 

 sheep in which the fleece is not very close on the back, and 

 affects the back, loins and croup, but seldom the head, neck 

 and shoulders. It is due to the animals getting wet through, 

 especially in damp, cold weather, on the pasture. Under the 

 influence of long continued dampness, the horny layer of the 

 skin is loosened and an acute inflammation develops in the 

 unprotected cutis, leaving a weeping red surface which is de- 

 prived of its horny layer and freely exudes serous fluid which 

 dries and' forms crusts. The skin is swollen, sensitive, cracked 

 in places and the process is accompanied by more or less severe 

 itching. The tufts of wool, which have become matted by the 

 crusts, fall out, so that a considerable loss in wool may result. 

 The sheep which are badly nourished are much debilitated if 

 the affection persists for a long time. With the onset of dry 

 weather, or after putting the sheep in clean roomy quarters, 

 the skin dries up quickly and the inflammation disappears in a 

 short time. 



As solar eczema, an eczematous inflammation of the skin 

 arises if the integument of the sheep is exposed to the hot rays 

 of the sun immediately after shearing. Simultaneously with 

 reddening, swelling and tenderness of the skin vesicles develop, 

 followed by moist spots, and finally big crusts on the neck, 

 back and sides. Young and feeble animals may succuml) to the 

 complaint. 



Intertrigo is an eczema between the claws which is due to 

 the same causes as in cattle (page 853). 



(d) Eczema of the Dog. 



Eczema undoubtedly is met with most frequently in dogs, 

 and in a number of cases the various stages of its development 

 may be followed quite readily. The form of the disease in 

 individual cases is extremely variable. The inflammatory pro- 

 cess is produced most frequently by faulty care of the skin, 

 by dirt accumulated on the skin, parasitic fleas and lice, wetting 

 of the hair in the neighborhood of the natural openings of the 

 body, with excreta, etc. ; the fine texture of the skin, especially 



and doubtlessly also digestive dis- 



