870 Malt and Potato Eruption. 



accompanied by severe general symptoms. In addition to the 

 extremities of the limbs a similar eruption occurs on the thighs, 

 especially on their inner surfaces; further, on the skin of the 

 scrotum or udder, under the lower belly, on the sides of the 

 body, on the neck, tail and in the anal region. At all these places 

 the skin, the greater portion of which loses its hair, is thrown 

 into close folds, raw and in spots purulent, covered with thick 

 crusts, while at the joints deep cracks are formed from which 

 angry looking ulcers develop. In such severe cases the extremi- 

 ties finally become considerably thickened, abscesses develop 

 under the skin, at the coronet the integument may even become 

 necrotic and a purulent inflammation of the joint may arise. 

 Sometimes supiDurating ulcers with reddish edges as large as a 

 one-cent piece are seen at the same time in the oral cavity, 

 especially on the edges of the upper jaw (Cadeac). 



Meanwhile profuse diarrhea sets in, together with total loss 

 of appetite and great weakness, which enfeeble the animals 

 more, so that some lie continuously on the ground and eventu- 

 ally die from exhaustion or in consequence of pyemia or sep- 

 ticemia. With the onset of diarrhea the exudation in the skin 

 becomes less, Avhereupon it becomes drier and stiffer and more 

 closely attached to the subcutaneous tissue. 



In potato rash the following symptoms have been noticed aside 

 from the usual ones: Inflammation of the hair bulbs and general fall- 

 ing out of the hair in horses, inflammation of the prepuce in steers 

 and sheep, reddening of the vulva in cows, edema at different places in 

 the skin, and finally itching of the skin in sheep ; and all these have 

 occasionally been observed without a visible outbreak of rash (Schin- 

 delka). 



Course and Prognosis. In the great majority of cases the 

 disease runs a favorable course, resulting in complete cure 

 within 2 to 4 Aveeks. In neglected cases, however, the animals 

 become emaciated in consequence of the increasing inflammation 

 of the skin and of the diarrhea which often is associated with it, 

 and the affection ma}^ then last for several months; but even 

 here recovery may occur if the attack is limited to the feet. 

 "Cases of death are observed only exceptionally and generally 

 only when the inflammatory process has involved the deeper 

 layers of the skin and if the ulceration of the integument, the 

 purulent ichorous inflammation of the subcutaneous connective 

 tissue or of the articulations of the feet lead to a general in- 

 fection. 



The prognosis is generally favorable if the necessary change 

 of food is carried out in good time ; a severe course is only to 

 be feared under very unfavorable hygienic conditions. 



Diagnosis. The history of the case, which is usually easily 

 obtained, that is, feeding on potato slop or potatoes in large 

 quantities, and likewise the acute vesicular and moist character 



