Diseases of the Skin, 233 



wounds, &c. "Mud fever," so called is a common 

 form. 



When unequal pressure arises from badly fitting collars 

 or harness, the skin becomes hot, swollen, and tender, 

 probably ending in an abscess, or the skin assumes a 

 loose, flabby, and leathery appearance, standing out like 

 bags, and filled with a gelatinous fluid. This form is 

 known as Erythema par atrimma. 



The disease in both its kinds is liable to become chronic, 

 especially about the legs, when washing is pursued in a 

 careless manner, and neglect follows. 



Treatment. — Remove the cause. Hot fomentations, 

 poultices in the aggravated stages. Febrile states must 

 be met by febrifuges, or even bloodletting. Cold water 

 or evaporating lotions in simple cases. Glycerine with 

 laudanum, solution of lead, &c, is useful ; oil also serves 

 to mitigate friction, but rest is essential to perfect cure. 



Erysipelas is inflammation of the true skin, some- 

 times extending to the cellular tissue beneath. The 

 causes are wounds and injuries. In a few days the 

 affected part swells, is hot, tense, sensitive, and shining, 

 the mischief spreading and often involving whole parts or 

 limbs, and when pressure is applied an impress of the 

 finger is left. Sometimes a crop of vesicles appear, fol- 

 lowed by decline, when drying and peeling of the cuticle 

 takes place. When a limb is affected, constitutional dis- 

 turbance is severe. 



A more severe form known as Phlegmonous erysipelas 

 is attended with violent rigors and severe constitutional 

 disturbance, often involving subjacent tissues as well as 

 the cellular tissue over a large space, taking on pustular 

 formation, and even penetrating joints, &c. Those 

 animals in poor condition often contract glanders. 



Treatment. — Aperients and enemas to remove consti- 

 pation. Febrifuges for the removal of active fever ; hot 

 fomentations and poultices, using care that the parts are 

 not cooled afterwards ; astringent lotion, No. 1. When 

 debility sets in give tincture of iron with nitrous ether. 

 Open abscesses as early as possible and when properly 

 matured, otherwise the knife will do positive harm. 



