590 THE DISEASES AND DISORDERS OF THE OX. 



cattle which are covered by thin skin and few hairs, as upon the 

 udder. The disease is liable to be mistaken for small-pox. The 

 treatment should be similar to that for urticaria. 



This disorder of the integument in sheep, Ecthyma, has been 

 given to a pustular eruption which often breaks out in sheep in 

 the summer-time. The pustules are small and pointed, and they 

 ultimately dry up without leaving any scar. The eruption is 

 coupled with very little general disturbance of the system, and it 

 is not of much importance except on account of the fact that the 

 pustules may possibly be mistaken for those characteristic of the 

 very serious disease — sheep-pox. The term acne has also been 

 applied to this affection in animals. 



FURUNCULUS, OR BOIL. 

 A boil is a small circumscribed swelling of the skin and sub- 

 cutaneous tissue, acutely inflamed, and having a central portion 

 which becomes gangrenous and requires to be removed. This 

 removal may, however, be safely left to nature to effect, or it 

 may be well to apply poultices or fomentations with a view to 

 hasten the process and relieve the pain. 



CARBUNCLE. 

 Carbuncle differs from the preceding, mainly by reason of the 

 large amount of tissue which dies. The dead parts should be 

 removed by the knife, and antiseptic dressings should be used. 

 Stimulant tonics may be given internally. 



PEMPHIGUS. 

 This word means a huhhle. The skin gives out bladders in 

 all parts of the body, varying in size up to a fowl's e^gf and 

 •containing serum, or in severe cases pus and blood. A portion 

 of skin which is perfectly free from these bladders may be covered 

 with them in a few hours. They may disappear as rapidly as 

 they are formed, they burst or possibly dry up without bursting, 

 and their walls in drying form a thin brown scab, on the removal 

 of which the skin below may be seen to be red. The disorder 

 may become chronic, and last for months. Gentle purgatives and 

 afterwards alkalies are to be recommended. The bladders should 

 he opened, and astringent powders such as starch, or the oxide 

 •of zinc ointment should be applied. 



