THE SKIN. 353 



sometimes enzootic; often it assumes a chronic character, 

 and in some instances the effused fluid is intermingled 

 with blood or pus. It depends upon irritation of the 

 alimentary canal, and must be treated by evacuation of 

 the contents of the blebs, and subsequent dressings with 

 glycerin or oxide-of-zinc ointment. A cathartic should 

 also be administed. 



Hypertrophic Disorders of the Skin are sometimes 

 seen in the ox. Of these, one of the most remarkable is 

 Keratoid change of the Epidermis. Hypertrophy of the 

 cuticle results from continued slight friction or from 

 gradual increase in size of a subcutaneous accumulation 

 of fluid with a tendency to burst. Thus, in every case, it 

 must be considered to be an effort to strengthen the skin, 

 and the better to adapt it to new conditions. A most 

 remarkable case of this disease has just come under our 

 notice. A beast has a tumour, of a globular form, 56 

 inches in circumference, in front of the knee, this contains 

 pus, and the skin investing it has a flocculent epidermis 

 of stringy horn. 



Pityriasis is that scurfy condition of the skin which 

 not infrequently affects cattle without any other indica- 

 tions of disorder than some local irritation. The scurf 

 has a peculiar branny character, whence the name of the 

 disease. It occurs most frequently in young animals, and 

 is associated with mal-nutrition, whether from imperfect 

 supply of food or from deficiency of nutritive materials in 

 it. A change of diet to richer food, and the inunction of 

 the surface with some sedative must be adopted. 



N^vus is hypertrophy of the superficial layer of the 

 dermis, constituting a slight swelling composed of blood- 

 vessels, often having an erectile character. It is rare in 

 the lower animals, but a congenital case is given by Mr. 

 L. Barker, in the ' Veterinary Journal,^ vol. iv, p. 255. In 

 this, intermittent free haemorrhage took place, and mate- 

 rially reduced the strength of the animal, but a cure was 

 ultimately effected. These tumours are liable to injury, 

 and may, when small or of moderate size, be removed by 

 the knife or by cauterisation. 



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