272 DISEASES OF THE SKIN 



large, fish-scale-like, enlarged epithelial cells are found. The 

 distal end of the tail is most frequently involved. This form 

 of eczema may lead to the loss of the tail hkirs and more 

 rarely to those of the mane. In old, neglected horses out 

 of condition (bad teeth, gastro-intestinal catarrh) a general- 

 ized, squamous eczema is common. Eczemas of the limbs to 

 which are given such special names as scratches, mallenders, 

 etc., are included in works on sxirgery. 



Ox. — Eczema is not so common in cattle as in the horse, 

 but is seen to occur where malt or potato residue is fed. It 

 affects principally the hind limbs, and is largely due to the 

 liquid feces which come in contact with the skin of the legs. 

 It may, however, involve the forelimbs, the body, and neck. 

 This eczema is vesicular and crustated. It usually begins 

 with an erythema, the skin being highly reddened, swollen, 

 and painful, especially about the hind fetlocks. The patient 

 is usually lame. Later there appear vesicles which soon rup- 

 ture, leaving moist areas which in turn dry, forming crusts. 

 Usually the eczema tends to spread on the limb to the height 

 of the carpus or tarsus. The patients generally show symp- 

 ' toms of loss of appetite, diarrhea, fever, and emaciation. 



Swine. — A non-parasitic eczema is rare in swine. In 

 young, unthrifty pigs a squamous eczema occurs with brown 

 or black crusts, hence the name "soot of young pigs." This 

 form of eczema is usually seen in pigs which are kept in unsani- 

 tary quarters and are generally neglected. It appears partic- 

 ularly on the inner surface of the thighs, along the abdomen, 

 sides of the chest, and inner surface of the forelimbs. More 

 rarely it affects the head. The afPected skin is erythematous 

 and soon becomes covered with vesicles filled with a clear, 

 sticky fluid. Pustules soon form, break, dry, and form crusts 

 which from the admixt'ure of dirt have a black appearance. 

 Associated with hog-cholera, eczema or more properly an 

 exanthema occurs. 



Treatment. — The treatment of eczema is mainly external. 

 In all cases the cause should be removed. This in itself often 

 suffices. Before treatment is applied the affected skin should 

 be prepared by removing the hair and the accumulations of 

 exudate. For the latter, bathing the skin in tepid soft> water 



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