Treatment. Gangrene of the Skin. 879 



develops more slowly, extends only graduall}^ and is usually 

 afebrile. But in eczema the small vesicles develop from the 

 beginning Avhile the skin is still comparatively healthy, while 

 in erysipelas large vesicles form only later when the skin is in- 

 tensely inflamed. In phlegmons purulent infiltration of the 

 subcutaneous connective tissue exists. 



Treatment. Local treatment is only necessary in severe 

 cases of erysipelas, while slight cases heal without any treat- 

 ment. Cold applications of clear water, Goulard's extract, lead 

 water, also Burow's solution, or applications of lime water may 

 be used. Later on the reddened skin may be anointed with 

 carbolized oil (1:10), or covered with astringent powders (see 

 page 863). In cases where erysipelatous inflammation is caused 

 by an infection, a subcutaneous injection of 3% carbolic acid 

 or 1 :5000 corrosive sublimate solution at several points of the 

 periphery of the affected spot (in horses one can inject 10 to 30 

 cc. at one place) checks the advance of the inflammation (Gut- 

 zeit, Feldmann). The following may also be used: 10 to 20% 

 ichthyol, resorcin, creolin, iodoform ointment, then gray mer- 

 cury ointment, or disinfecting solutions. Where considerable 

 general disturbance of health exists corresponding symptomatic 

 treatment is indicated. 



Literature. Cadeac, J. vet., 1902, 515.— Gutzeit, Z. f. Vk., 1892, 301.— 

 Kossorotow, Pet. A. f. Naturwiss; 1897, 42.— Lebrim, Bull., 1906, 286.— Nys, Eec, 

 1907, 44 (Eev.).— Spath, Mt. d. Ver. bad Tzte., 1903, 86. 



10. Gangrene of the Skin. Gangraena Cutis. 



{Gangrenous inflammat'wu of the skin; dermatitis gangrcenosa.) 



By gangrene of the skin is understood a death of circum- 

 scribed portions of skin, which is produced either as a direct 

 result of tissue destruction, or from an arrested blood supply 

 to the part, or which arises in the course of deep seated inflam- 

 mations of the skin. 



Etiology. In the unpigmented and perhaps sparsely haired 

 skin the chemically acting (ultra-violet) rays of the sun produce 

 hyperemia on prolonged and direct exposure, and soon after 

 erysipelatous redness and inflammation, and if their effect on 

 the skin is very intense, they may finally cause death of the 

 skin in these places. This form of gangrenous inflammation of 

 the skin (gangraena Solaris) occurs mostly on the white spotted 

 extremities and on the white marks on the head in horses; it 

 is noted exceptionally in cattle. Aside from the sun rays, hot 

 dry winds may cause the same effect, and similarly gangrene 

 of" the skin may also result in consequence of freezing (con- 

 gelatio) or burning (combustio). 



