DISEASES OF THE OX AND SHEEP. 589 



URTICARIA OR "NETTLE-RASH." 

 This skin affection comes on suddenly and disappears sud- 

 denly. It shows itself by a number of elevations of the skin 

 about two and a half inches in diameter on the average. The 

 itching produced is great, the temperature of the part affected 

 is slightly increased ; but there is little or no tenderness or 

 fever. Cattle that have been badly kept in winter and have 

 quickly become plethoric are most liable to be attacked with 

 nettle-rash in the hot summer-time following. The hair is shed 

 after a few days, producing many bald patches, and the eruption 

 may disappear after about twelve days. A fairly strong saline 

 cathartic should be given, and a lotion containing glycerine, 

 carbonate of sodium and laudanum may be useful for applying 

 to the affected parts several times daily. Sulphur and bicar- 

 bonate of potassium may be given in the food. Cleanliness and 

 comfort are essential. 



PRURIGO. 

 Prurigo is the disease sometimes known as " Spring-lice." It 

 is often met with among cattle, especially during the early parts 

 of the year. In cases of this malady the coat stares, the papilla 

 of the dermis are inflamed, pimples appear on the body and legs, 

 crusts are formed, and then thrown off together with the hair. 

 The treatment is the same as that for urticaria. 



ECTHYMA. 



Ecthyma is rare among cattle. A number of large prominent 

 and isolated well-defined pustules appear. They burst, and pro- 



Fig. 76. — Ecthyma. 



duce a dark-coloured scab, which, on being detached, leaves a 

 brown stain. The pustules may often be seen on those parts of 



