52 EVERYTHING ABOUT DOGS. 



lesions in this disease vary according to the acting cause, the seat of the disease 

 and the care given the dog. The blotch or neurotic form attacks the skin on the 

 head and along the back. This form is similar to the "milk crust" found in 

 children, and is due to much the same causes. The red mange is that form in 

 which the skin is generally red, but it is more visible under the legs, on the back 

 and abdomen. 



"The usual form of eruption in canine eczema consists of a large number of 

 small water pimples or vesicles frequently covering a large extent of skin. These 

 are formed close together, forming quite large water blisters. When opened these 

 look cellular in str^ '.ure from the many small pimples of which they are com- 

 posed. They termiho. 3 either by absorption or rupture. They come in crops and 

 remain for varying periods of time. All dogs are liable to attacks of this disease. 

 Eczema becomes chronic after repeated attacks. When we have a subdued form, 

 there is a greater tendency to crusting, and in severe cases to the formation of pus.. 

 In the blotch, lack of exercise, constipation, over-feeding, injurious foods and 

 indigestion are the main causes. In the red mange form, lack of assimilation, rheu 

 niatism, gout, and external irritation, as lice and ticks act as causes. In both of 

 these forms, lack of exercise is one of the most important causes. This results in 

 an over-heated blood surcharged with the partly assimilated food, and in nature 

 seeks to get rid of this excess of effete material by the skin. 



"This is carried off by the exudation. This is a law of nature, when the ordi- 

 nary channels are clogged, to try and excrete these substances through the skin. 

 This is particularly so in cases due to rheumatism, where nature seeks to rid the 

 system of the excess of uric acid and urates. These substances act as direct irri- 

 tants to the skin, and set up a catarrh al inflammation. Washing dogs affected 

 with eczema is to be avoided, as much as possible, as both water and soap act as a 

 direct irritant to the already inflamed skin. The sulphate of magnesia or isoda is in 

 the beginning of treatment of great value. When there is much constitutional dis- 

 turbance, opium and calomel in grain doses are indicated. Benzoated oxide of zinc 

 ointment in the milder forms is of great benefit. Tincture of arnica, 15 to 20 

 grains to the ounce, of an oily lotion is of value. Lotions containing salol or 

 salicylic acid from five to thirty grains to the ounce, resorcin in the same propor- 

 tion. Dusting powders composed of acetanilid, salol, salicylic acid, or resorcin with 

 stearate of zinc as a base, is of value. When disease is due to debility, mineral 

 tonics and cod liver oil should be given. When the disease becomes chronic, 

 stronger remedies must be used; ointments containing juniper tar, green soap and 

 sulphur are of value. The ointment of the nitrate and ammoniate of mercury are 

 much used. In cases where the skin is especially sensitive, silver nitrate, 1 gram 

 to the ounce of water will often effect a cure. In the chronic cases, especially, iron, 

 arsenic, calomel and quinine are to be used. The animal, while undergoing treat- 

 ment, should be kept clean, and give plenty of exercise. An eruption, resembling 

 eczema, may be induced by large doses of mercury. The skin becomes red and 

 swollen, then forms large scales and hardens. This eruption is generally limited 

 to the limbs and scrotum. Some of the symptoms are salivation, loss of appetite, 

 eyelids closed, dullness, offensive odor from the skin, and rarely, death." 



I now give you DENT'S article on Eczema, written expressly for this book: 



"In medical nomenclature, eczema is a very comprehensive term. It is applied 

 to all diseases of the akin (except true mange or dog itch), and on account of the 

 irritation set up during an attack of mange, it is generally complicated with 

 eczema, which remains to annoy the dog and his owner long after the mange mites 

 are destroyed. 



