PEMPHIGUS 621 



located in the neighborhood of the head, along the back, behind 

 the ears, or over the croupe. Accompanying this itching there is 

 seen the appearance of large amounts of a bran-like, dry scale, which 

 piles up to form thick, crust-like masses. The skin becomes hard 

 and thickened and lies in heavy folds along the back. In the 

 creases between these folds there may be noted superficial raw,^ 

 bleeding spots. Itching of a most severe type, together with the 

 finding of these scales, makes the diagnosis clear. If the scales are 

 removed and the underlying surface closely examined it will often 

 be possible to see the small mite which causes the disease. 



Treatment consists in removing the scales by a thorough scrub- 

 bing with soap and water, followed by the application of sulphur 

 ointment. The sulphur destroys the mites and thus prevents 

 the re-formation of scales. If the sulphur proves irritating, and 

 causes an inflammation of the skin, this may be relieved by the 

 application of a mild zinc oxid ointment. Very commonly in 

 butchers this disease affects the hands and arms as a result of 

 handling mangy hogs. In treating those affected it must be re- 

 membered that the hog mite will attack the human skin. 



PEMPHIGUS 



This is a skin disease characterized by the formation of a 

 number of large blisters or vesicles over the surface of the body. 

 These vesicles are often as large as a hazel-nut and occur without 

 any apparent cause. They contain a clear fluid and are not ac- 

 companied by any inflammation of the surrounding skin. Pem- 

 phigus is more common in the larger animals, but is occasionally 

 seen in the hog. The appearance of the vesicles may be preceded 

 for a few days by signs of gastric and bowel derangement, with a 

 slight feverish attack and loss of appetite. 



In the course of a few days the wall of the sac bursts and the 

 fluid escapes, leaving a red, inflamed base which often itches quite 

 severely. There may be considerable constitutional debility fol- 

 lowing an attack of pemphigus. 



Treatment consists in the application of a dry dusting-powder 

 to the inflamed surface after the vesicles have ruptured. It is also 

 a good plan to administer a tonic for several days to overcome the 

 constitutional derangement. 



