SCALY ECZEMA. 161 



him 4 oz. of Epsom salts a day in a mash, will be sufficient. We 

 may also give a linseed mash every night, and mix in it an ounce 

 of bicarbonate of soda, and may apply (4) or (5), as mentioned on 

 page 152. The bicarbonate of soda has a soothing effect on the 

 mucous membrane of the intestines ; and the good influence of 

 linseed, in cases of irritation of the skin or mucous membrane, is 

 well marked. In obstinate cases, employ tartar emetic, or liquor 

 arsenicalis as directed on p. 151. 



Scaly Eczema (Pityriasis and Psoriasis). 



There is no essential difference between simple eczema and scaly 

 eczema, except that the latter is an advanced and more or less 

 chronic stage of the former. The adoption of this broad and tho- 

 roughly sound view should do much to clear up the confusion which 

 exists concerning various forms assumed by non-contagious skin 

 inflammation. The old popular terms, " humid tetter " and " dry 

 tetter " may be taken to respectively designate the moist and scaly 

 fonns of eczema. As the word, psoriasis, means mange; it is in- 

 applicable to a non-contagious disease. Pityriasis, signifying a 

 bran-like condition, is a suitable expression for a scaly inflammation 

 of the skin. " Queensland Itch," which is often met with among 

 horse!? in Eastern Australia, comes under this heading. In India, 

 eczema which takes the same form, is common during the hot 

 weather and " rains ; " and frequently invades the dock and space 

 between the thighs. 



The scaly stage of eczema is often accompanied by cracks in the 

 affected skin on account of the existing inflammation having inter- 

 fered with the action of the oil glands, the function of which is to 

 keep the skin soft and pliable. The inflammation, also, causes 

 thickening of the part. In bad cases, the cracks exude serum and 

 blood, which aid in the formation of scabs. When it appears behind 

 the knees, it is termed " mallenders ; " when in front of the hocks, 

 " sallenders.'' It also occurs on the neck, just in front of tlie 

 withers ; on the upper surface of the root of the tail ; and, more 

 rarely, in other positions, in which cases the eruption receives no 

 distinctive name. Mallenders and sallenders are not very amenable 

 to treatment, and rarely occur except among horses whose stable 

 management has been much neglected. 



TREATMENT in ordinary cases is the same as that of simple 

 eczema (p. 151). ^^^len the skin becomes fissured or very rough, 

 it is well to soak the affected part in oil to remove the scales, and 

 afteir that to use dilute nitrate of mercury ointment. Or, after 

 washing the part, we might rub in Jonathan Hutchinson's oint- 



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