468 NON-PARASITIC SKIN DISEASES 



matitis, especially in large dogs, which appears in the form 

 of a thickened, roughened, hairless area over the elbow 

 (scleroderma). A persistent form of dermatitis occurs as 

 a result of injuries to the edge of pendulous ears and the 

 irritation induces frequent shaking of the head which 

 serves to aggravate the condition. Fly bites on the ears to 

 the extent of producing severe inflammation are common. 



Diagnosis.— Negative microscopic examination with con- 

 sideration of the several causes assists in making a diagnosis. 



Prognosis.— Good, especially in acute conditions when the 

 causes can be removed. 



Treatment.— Mild acute forms may be treated success- 

 fully with the application of. lead water or drying powders. 

 When crusts have formed, soiling the hair, a cleansing wash 

 of a sodium carbonate solution (5 per cent.) repeated daily 

 is very good and will relieve the itching usually present in 

 this form. Chronic forms necessarily require longer treat- 

 ment with preparations to soften the skin as lanolin or 

 ichthyol ointment. The chronic form which occurs on the 

 edge of pendulous ears can be successfully treated only by 

 bandaging which prevents the animal shaking the ears. 

 The bandage should be so applied that the affected tips are 

 exposed for treatment with creolin ointment. This aids 

 healing and prevents further injury from fly bites, the most 

 usual source of this trouble. If the ears are very much 

 thickened it may be advisable to remove the edges evenly 

 and immobilize until complete healing occurs. Gangrenous 

 dermatitis requires prompt treatment by removing the 

 affected parts of skin and applying strong antiseptics. 



ACNE. 



Definition.— An inflammation of the glands of the skin 

 with enlargement, appearing as small nodules in the skin. 

 Quite frequently they pass on into pustules. 



Etiology.— Irritation of the glands by rubbing, or by the 

 collar, or when there is an obstruction to the glandular 

 openings by accumulations of dirt or medicinal substances 

 which have been applied. Preparations, as creolin, con- 



