DISEASES OF THE SKIN 81 



These troubles are allied to, or may be indis- 

 tinguishable from, parasitic mange, which is 

 contagious,' whereas eczema is not. 



Again, one usually arises from internal, whilst 

 the other from external, causes. 



Both diseases may be confined to one portion of 

 the body, or may extend all over it. In many 

 instances eczema is inherited. 



Moreover, both skin affections are attended with 

 a considerable degree of irritation, causing the cat 

 to scratch and lose its fur. 



Minute blisters usually appear, and scabs or 

 crusts may form, if the irritation is acute. In 

 chronic eczema, the skin usually assumes a dried- 

 up condition, becoming very scurfy. 



Treatment. 



Internal treatment is called for ; in fact, most 

 reliance must be placed upon this, an external 

 application being secondary to it, 



Feed the cat liberally on meat, and give it one 

 of the following pills night and morning : 



Arsenious acid . . ~ of a grain. 

 Sulphate of iron . . 20 grains. 

 Extract of gentian . 60 



Excipient sufficient to make 60 pills. 



Continue for 6 weeks. 

 6 



