210 IREITATION OF THE SKIN. 



AotTTE Geneeal Ieeitatioit or THE Skin is an affection 

 wHch sometimes manifests itself upon horses during the dip- 

 ping season. Hitherto I have not seen this form of the disease 

 at any other time, nor under any other circumstances. Its 

 cause, so far as I have observed, appears to be dependant upon 

 the animal being clipped. 



The disease is characterised by a general soreness ; if any 

 one attempts to place his hand upon the skin, the animal shrinks 

 from the contact with every appearance of alarm. Sometimes 

 the general soreness is so excessive, that it is dangerous for 

 any one to hastily approach the poor brute : he will kick, and 

 resist being handled to the utmost of his power. Both the skin 

 and the hair are dry and harsh to the touch. 



In many cases great numbers of small, hard, round eleva- 

 tions are present upon the skin in the regions of the neck and 

 the breast, upon the inner surfaces of the fore hmbs, upon the 

 haunches, under the abdomen, and around the hind limbs from 

 the stifle joints down to the hoofs. 



The appetite is occasionally impaired, and the pulse increased 

 in the number of its beats ; frequently, in the milder forms 

 of the affection, neither the appetite nor the pulse are much 

 affected. Sometimes the malady is associated with swelling of the 

 limbs, chapped heels, and in horses, with swelling of the sheath. 



Acute Local Ieeitation oe the Skin is far more com- 

 mon than the general form of the affection. It appears to 

 be dependant upon previous injury inflicted upon the part ; or 

 from the saddle, the harness, or the gears improperly fitting. 

 Sometimes the backs or the shoulders of horses so affected will 

 remain tender for months after they have recovered from the 

 immediate effects of the crush of a saddle upon the back, or 

 an injury upon the shoulder from a collar. In one or two 



