DERMATITIS. 229 
Tl. 
DERMATITIS. 
Lczematous dermatitis is met in all species of animals, presenting 
itself with peculiar localizations and modalities. It is most frequently 
seen in dogs. Generally speaking, it must have both local and internal 
treatment. 
For the local treatment one has the choice of numerous agents; of 
these, however, some are more especially for certain forms or stages of 
the affection. Incipient eczema demands only the following treatment: 
Protect the skin from all causes of irritation; cut the hair on the 
diseased surfaces and cover them two or three times a day with absorb- 
ing powders (starch, subnitrate of bismuth, oxide of zinc). On dogs, 
eczema patches have often a very disagreeable odor; fancy and pet ani- 
mals may have these patches covered with essence of rose or benzine. 
At this stage of the disease, vaseline mixed with zinc oxide or boric acid 
can be used with advantage. For papular eczema, the treatment is the 
same. If the itching is severe, alcoholic watery lotions combined with 
a small quantity of carbolic acid (1 per cent.) is to be prescribed. The 
use of absorbing powders is still the best local therapeutic measure for 
various modalities of moist eczema. Mixtures of powders of tannin and 
iodoform (10 to 1), or of cresyl and boric acid (3-4 per cent.), give good 
results. In some cases, light cauterization with a solution of nitrate of 
silver (5—6 per cent) or nitric acid (1 in 10) produces an excellent effect. 
If eczema is impetiginous, one must, by slight squeezing, press out the pus 
gathered under the crusts, wipe them well, and then cover them with 
antiseptic ointments. Scaly forms demand other treatment. Tar, cresyl, 
oil of cade, naphtol ointment, iodized glycerine, are to be recommended. 
Solutions of cresyl (2 per cent.), and of sulphate of iron or copper (1 per 
cent.), are also used. The substances patronized lately (ichthyol, resorcin, 
anthrarobin) are not more active than the preceding. In all cases where 
eczematous disorders are exclusively due to mechanical causes, the local 
treatment is generally sufficient. But most commonly the general health 
of the patient is not good, so that an internal medication has to be started. 
Bicarbonate of soda, iodide of potassium, arsenious acid or Fowler solution 
are the principal agents. At times chronic eczema gives rise to a true 
warty dermatitis; then the tegumentary vegetations must be amputated 
with the bistoury or scissors, and then cauterized with nitric acid or the 
actual cautery. We may mention the important influence that, in some 
