DISEASES OF THE SKIN 121 



roundish elevations or '' hives.'' There may be an elevation of 

 body temperature and partial loss of appetite. Small animals 

 may act restless and show evidence of itching or pain. This 

 spnptom is very common in hogs. The eruption may last only 

 a few hours or a few days, or, because of the animal's scratching 

 or rubbing the part, the skin may become scabby and small 

 pustules form. 



An important preventive measure is to avoid the use of agents 

 capable of irritating the skin and producing urticaria when treat- 

 ing parasitic skin diseases. It is very advisable to give the animal 

 a saline cathartic (Epsom or Glauber's salts). The skin may 

 be washed with cold water, or a weak water solution of perman- 

 ganate of potassium. 



Acne, " Summer Rash." — In this skin disease the oil glands 

 and hair follicles are inflamed and sometimes infected with pus 

 germs. This results in skin eruptions varying in size from the 

 point of a pin to about a quarter of an inch in diameter. This 

 inflammation is most prominent during the warm weather. 



The causes are local irritation to the skin from lying on 

 filthy floors, sweating and irritation from the harness. According 

 to some writers, pus germs are the only cause, the mechanical 

 agents merely aiding in the production of the infection. 



The face, side of the neck, shoulders, back and sides of the 

 trunk and quarters are the usual seats of disease. The pimples 

 or nodules may disappear within a few weeks, or persist through- 

 out the warm season. The eruption may disappear without leav- 

 ing scars, or suppuration occurs and small bald spots result. 



The treatment consists in removing the cause of the disease 

 and cleaning the skin with antiseptic Avashes. The surroundings 

 of the animal must be kept clean and a good bed provided. If 

 possible, the horse should be laid oft' from work as soon as the 

 condition is noted. Washing the part with a weak water solution 

 of permanganate of potassium may be practised daily. Fowler's 

 solution of arsenic may be given. This may be given with the 

 feed. 



