INFLAMMATORY DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



657. Variola-Equina, or Horse-Pox, is a specific, vesicular, 

 eruptive, febrile disease of the inflammatory type, happily of rare 

 occurrence in country practice, and, although of a constitutional 

 character, manifestations of the malady are made through the agency 

 of the skin. Symptoms. — The horse hangs its head in a listless 

 manner, and is off its food, while the skin is hot and dry. In the 

 course of a few days, small vesicles are noticed cropping up on various 

 parts of the body ; each of these contains a thin fluid, and soon 

 bursts forming a scab, which in tune drops off, leaving a bare spot. 

 The fever has to be combated with gentle saline medicines, but 

 purgatives must be strictly avoided. Doses of from one to two 

 ounces of Epsom salts and one ounce of cream of tartar, given in hay 

 tea, night and morning, are all the treatment that is required. When 

 the skin is very itchy, sponging it frequently with equal parts of 

 sanitas and water, has a very soothing and cooling effect. 



658. Variola-Vaccina, or Cow-Pox, is a somewhat similar 

 malady affecting the cow, which, however, is now very rare. It 

 was in the lymph contained in the vesicles of this affection, that the 

 immortal Jenner recognized the properties of a protective agent 

 against human smallpox, and from this lymph he prepared his 

 vaccine. The vesicles are usually found on the udder of the cow, and 

 accompanying them there is, as in the horse, a considerable amount of 

 fever and constitutional disturbance. Simple alkaline medicine, good 

 nursing, and easily digestible food, constitute all the necessary 

 treatment. 



659. Variola-Ovina, or Sheep-Pox. — A vesicular complaint, 

 somewhat analogous in its symptoms to the pox of the horse and cow, 

 also affects the sheep, but is happily very rare. Here, the eruptions 

 are first seen on the inside of the thighs and fore-arms. The affected 

 animals should at once be removed, and isolated. Sheep-pox is under 

 the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act. 



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