860 Eczema. 



tlio oar, eczema or even phlegmons of the ear flap; in excep- 

 tional cases perforation of the drmn of the ear and otitis media 

 are said to occnr. 



A fnrther form of circumscribed eczematoiis disease is the 

 eczema of the skin between the toes (E. interdigitale, Inter- 

 trigo) which begins with a vesicular eruption, but later assumes 

 a moist character, and in this form may continue for a long 

 time; owing to the severe pain it greatly impedes locomotion. 

 This form of eczema develops chiefly in pointers, probably as a 

 result of irritation of the skin during the chase by thorns and 

 punctures between the toes. 



(e) Eczema of Swine. 



In swine eczema is observed comparatively rarely and is 

 designated as soot of young pigs (pitch scab, scab rash). It 

 attacks almost exclusively^ only young pigs which are badly 

 cared for and kept in dirty sties, or pigs which are weak and 

 anemic from chronic diseases (rickets, swine plague, hog 

 cholera, pyobacillosis). Sarcoptic scab often forms the foun- 

 dation for the disease or the very frequent mange of young 

 swine is mistaken for "soot of young pigs" or ''pitch scab." 

 On different parts of the l)ody, but chiefly on the thighs, on the 

 sides of the chest, on the bell}^, occasionally on the eyelids, an 

 intensely itching vesicular eruption occurs, which now and then 

 affects the whole surface of the body. The contents of the 

 vesicles soon become purulent, but after bursting thick crusts 

 form on the red moist surfaces which become dark broAvn or 

 l)lack in color because of the admixture of dirt. The affection, 

 which is often mistaken for pox, exhausts the feeble animals 

 greatly, but usually heals with suitable treatment. 



Tn new-born litters of the higher breeds severe eezenia-like skin disease, sonie- 

 tiines o])izootic in extent, may develop on the second to fifth day of life. Accord- 

 ing to the description of Walthers a parchment-like covering develops at different 

 places on the skin, on which small vesicles arise. After they burst blackish brown 

 crusts, with central depressions, form on the sensitive and itching moist surfaces 

 so that the skin appears as if smeared with soot. The sick animals are feverish, 

 they suck little, become very weak, and finally die with symptoms of diarrhea. 

 In 6 or 7 days all animals of a litter are affected, and the disease also attacks the 

 litters of other sows as well as the teats of the mother swine. In strong aniuials 

 the affection only develops 4 or 5 days after birth, and runs a mild course. 



Diagnosis. Eczema is easily recognized in all species, when 

 typicall.y manifested, by the rapid development of nodules, 

 vesicles and pustules as w^ell as by the reddened and moist con- 

 dition of the skin which in spots is deprived of the superficial 

 layer of the epidermis. The last mentioned symptom makes 

 it possible to distinguish between simph^ descpiamation or scal- 

 ing of the skin, because here the skin, still covered with horny 

 epidermis, appears dry underneath the easily remova])le dry 

 scales. The recognition of eczema is often rendered difficult 



