342 DISEASES OP CATTLE. 



ELEPHANTIASIS ( SCLERODERMA ) , 



This condition consists in a chronic thickening of the skin, which 

 may affect one or more limbs or involve the whole integument. It is 

 characterized by recurrent attacks of swelling of the skin and sub- 

 cutaneous areolar tissue. After each attack the affected parts remain 

 infiltrated to a larger extent than before, until finally the skin may 

 attain a thickness of an inch, become wrinkled and fissured. In 

 cattle this disease is confined to hot climates. The predisposing 

 cause is unknown. 



EDEMA (anasarca OF THE SKIN). 



This is a dropsical condition of the skin and subcutaneous areolar 

 tissue, characterized by pitting under pressure, the fingers leaving a 

 dent which remains a short time. 



Causes. — Edema generally results from a weakened state of the 

 system, arising from previous disease. It may also be dependent 

 upon a functional derangement of the kidneys, upon weak circula- 

 tion, or obstruction to the flow of blood through the lungs. In de- 

 bilitated animals and in some animals heavily infested with parasites 

 there is swelling of the dewlap or of the fold of the skin between 

 the jaws. 



Symptoms. — Painless swelling of a limb, udder, lower surface of 

 abdomen, or lower jaw becomes apparent. This may increase in di- 

 mensions for several days, or may attain its maximum in less than 

 24 hours. Unless complicated with some acute disease of a specific 

 character, there is not much, if any, constitutional disturbance. The 

 deep layer of the skin is infiltrated with seriun. which gives it the 

 characteristic condition of pitting under pressure. 



Treatment. — Wh&n the cause can be ascertained and removed we 

 will have a reasonable expectation of seeing the edema disappear. 

 When no direct specific cause can be discovered and the animal is 

 debilitated, give general tonic. If, on the contrary, it is in good 

 flesh, give a purgative, followed by half an ounce of acetate of potash 

 twice a day. External applications are useless. 



Edema may be distinguished from erysipelas or anthrax by the 

 absence of pain and fever. 



DERMOID AND SEBACEOUS CYSTS (WENS). 



A dermoid cyst is formed by an involution of the skin, with a 

 growth of hair on the inner wall of the sac. It may become embedded 

 deeply in the tissues subcutaneously, or may just penetrate the thick- 

 ness of the skin, where it is movable and painless. They are gen- 

 erally found within the ear or at its base, although they may form on 

 any part of the body. Usually they have a small opening, from 



