ECZEMA. 151 



skin, and also encourages the growth of low forms of parasitic life. 

 Kecent researches seem to indicate that eczema is generally due to 

 the jDresence of bacteria. 



The irritating effect of a flannel shirt next the skin during the 

 hot weather in the tropics, makes itself quickly felt by the wearer, 

 if he has a tendency to " prickly heat." In fact, the simple wearing 

 of cotton next the skin will often jDrevent an attack of this affection, 

 which would be inevitable were flannel worn instead. As the skin 

 of the horse is much more sensitive than our own; it is highly 

 advisable in cases of skin diseases which are accompanied by itching, 

 never to put woollen material next the horse's skin. If the use of a 

 rug be necessary in such instances, a clean cotton sheet should be 

 placed under it. 



Owing to the similarity of the causes which affect the skins of 

 horses, at the same season, from year to year ; we often find attacks 

 of eczema occurring once every twelve months in different animals 

 at the same time, that being almost always summer. If the disease 

 appears in winter, it may then be due to irritation caused by dirty 

 woollen clothing, want of grooming, or some constitutional distur- 

 bance which has checked perspiration. 



The term herx^es is applied to an attack of eczema when the erup- 

 tion of vesicles (small blisters) breaks out on the skin in groups. 

 This form of eczema is sometimes called non-contagious ringworm, 

 on account of its appearing in patches ; although the itching and 

 more or less severe einiption on the skin of a horse attacked with 

 herpes, are absent in cases of ordinary ringworm. 



The term jDrurigo is frequently used to signify any form of eczema 

 (especially that about the root of the tail) which is accompanied by 

 much itching. " It is uncertain whether there is any specific affec- 

 tion to which the name, prurigo, is applicable" (Bristowe). The 

 kindred term, 2^^uritis, simply means " itching." 



TREATMENT. — Give bran mashes, and mix in them Epsom 

 salts to the amount of 4 oz. daily. If the animal is in a stable, 

 keep him on grass, carrots or other green food. If he is on grass, 

 substitute hay for it. 



Boil a couple of pounds of linseed in a gallon of water for five or 

 six hours, and divide it between the daily feeds ; or mix a couple of 

 ounces of linseed oil in the horse's food two or three times a day; 

 and in his corn or mash give a drachm and a half of tartar emetic, 

 daily for a week or ten days. The use of common or rock salt 

 should not be neglected. This treatment will generally suffice for 

 mild cases. In more obstinate attacks, stop, after a week's time, 

 the tartar emetic, and substitute an ounce of liquor arsenicalis. 

 After a few days' intermission, these medicines may be alternated 



