DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 327 



follicle. They usually terminate by absorption, or by the formation 

 of a central core, which sloughs out, leaving a deep, round cavity 

 that soon heals. 



Causes. — ^Impoverished state of blood, the result of kidney dis- 

 eases or of local friction or contusions. 



Symptoms. — Boils in cattle usually appear singly, not in clusters; 

 they may attain the size of a hen's egg. The abscess begins as a 

 small round nodule, painful on pressure, gradually increases in size 

 until death of the central portion takes place, then the surface of the 

 skin gives way to internal pressure and the core is released and ex- 

 pelled. Constitutional symptoms are generally absent, unless the 

 boils occur in considerable numbers, or by their size involve a great 

 deal of tissue. 



Treatment. — Poulticing to ripen the abscess. If this can not be 

 done, apply camphorated oil two or three times a day until the core 

 is formed. As soon as the central or most prominent part becomes 

 soft, the abscess should be opened to release the core. Then use car- 

 bolized cosmoline once a day until the healing is completed. If the 

 animal is in poor condition, give tonics — coj^peras, gentian, ginger, 

 and sulphur, equal parts by weight, 1 tablespoonful twice a day. If 

 the animal manifests a feverish condition of the system, give half an 

 ounce of saltpeter twice a day, continuing it several days or a week. 



FAULTY SECRETIONS AND ABNORMAL GROWTHS OF THE SKIN. 



PITYRIASIS (SEBORRHEA, DANDRUFF, OR SCURF). 



This is a condition characterized by an excessive secretion of seba- 

 ceouh matter, forming upon the skin in small crusts or scales. 



Causes. — ^It is ascribable to a functional derangement of the seba- 

 ceous glands, usually' accompanied with dryness and loss of pliancy 

 of the skin. The animal is hidebound, as is commonly termed, thin 

 in flesh, inclined to rub, and very frequently lousy. The condition is 

 observed most often toward the spring of the 3'ear. Animals that 

 are continually housed, and the skins of which receive no cleaning, 

 generally present a coat filled with fine scales, composed of epi- 

 thelium from the epidermis and dried sebaceous matter. This, how- 

 ever, is a physiologicall^ondition and compatible with perfect health. 



Symi)to7ns. — Pityriasis may affect the greater portion of the body, 

 though usually only certain parts are affected — the ears, neck, rump, 

 etc. The skin becomes scurf}'^, tlie haiiy coat filled with branlike 

 gray or whitish scales. 



Treatment. — Nutritious feed, such as oil-cake meal, bran, ground 

 oats, and clean hay. In the spring the disease generally disappears 

 after the animal is turned out to pasture. When lice are present they 

 should be destroyed. 



