856 



Eczema. 



turbances exert a predisposing influence. In tins connection 

 strongly spiced or spoiled food lias a prejudicial influence, as is 

 proved hy the fact that an emphatic improvement may be 

 brought about in tliis case by internal treatment only. 



The acute diffuse eczema of tliicl'-ltaired parts of the body 

 (eczema rubruni [Bar]) begins most frequently under the ears, 

 on the neck, along the median line on the back, on the external 

 surfaces of the thighs and on the shoulders. It declares itself 

 by one or several occasional spots the size of a cent piece, which 

 quickly increase in size, so that in one or two days they are as 

 big as a tea plate and later even more extensive areas become 

 atifected (Fig. 125). The development of the eczema may be 

 observed closely in all its stages often at the same place, from 



the occurrence of redness 

 of the skin, of papules 

 and vesicles, to the pro- 

 nounced swelling of the 

 cuticle with moisture and 

 scab formation; or the 

 different stages may be 

 observed in different parts 

 of the body at one time. 

 The severely diseased 

 parts of the skin which 

 usually exhibit roundish, 

 sharply circumscribed, 

 moist shining, orange yel- 

 low or red spots are sur- 

 rounded by fresh papules 

 and vesicles, and further 

 outwards by a darker 

 red ring. Between the 

 papules and vesicles one 

 also finds greatly swollen 

 and glistening orifices of 

 the hair bulbs. After a 

 certain time the affected 

 skin is covered from the center outwards at first by a thin and 

 yellowish-green crust, although it continues to secrete a serous 

 or purulent exudate for some time. The process is always ac- 

 companied by great tenderness and very severe itching, which 

 causes the animals to lick, rub, scratch and bite, and in conse- 

 quence of this tlie inflammation extends into the deeper layer 

 of the cutis and even into the subcutaneous connective tissue. 

 In addition to a more intense swelling there occurs an exudate 

 which is more purulent and which irritates the excoriated sur- 

 face of the skin upon which many pustules and even abscesses 

 may form ; the hair falls out soon after the onset of the attack, 

 or becomes thin at the periphery and stands upright. The re- 

 gional lymphatic glands often show acute swelling. 



I. 125. Eczema rubrum madidans with 

 ofiitral encrustration in a dog. 



