240 Diseases of the Skin. 
derangement of the digestive functions. The animal is 
maddened by severe itching of the skin, and can scarcely 
be restrained from injuring himself. For this fomenta- 
tions with warm water containing opium may suffice; in 
some cases they afford no relief, and remedies of an 
entirely opposite nature are required—viz., lotions of 
nitrate of silver, ointment of nitrate of mercury, &c., 
applied as circumstances require. The diet must be 
carefully regulated, less animal food being allowed, the 
exercise regular and duly proportioned to the strength 
of the patient. Neglect of these precautions is sure to 
bring on a fresh attack of the complaint. A common 
practice exists in the use of mercurial or blue ointment 
for the cure of this malady. The owner who is wise will 
avoid the remedy entirely except under the care of the 
canine surgeon. 
Erythema is a diffused form of irritation of the skin, 
usually considered to be of a congestive character, pre- 
ceding true inflammation, and affecting such parts as 
receive a large quantity of blood for the supply of the 
sebaceous glands within the structure. It arises from 
disorder of the stomach or system generally, as indiges- 
tion, worms, teething, chills, &c. As the active symptoms 
decline, the skin throws off a considerable number of 
scales or scurf, and shortly the affected parts resume 
their natural appearance. This is the usual course under 
ordinary management, but persistence of the cause 
eventually develops true inflammation or eczema, already 
described. 
Treatment consists of replacing animal food by a 
variety less stimulating and partially vegetable; giving 
regular exercise, especially in the open air, and away 
from home. Irritation of the skin may be allayed by 
water containing a few drops of laudanum, or a lotion 
coutaining five grains of the sulphate of zinc to the 
ounce may be used. Boracic acid, five to ten grains to 
the ounce of water, is also highly effectual. 
Warts, technically termed Verruce, often prove 
troublesome to the dog. They consist of inordinate as 
well as deformed growths of the dermis, or deeper layer 
