158 NON-PAEASITIC SKIN DISEASES. 



nail brush into which some bland toilet soap has been rubbed. 

 (Jently remove the thickened scar tissue which fills up the cracks, by 

 means of the finger nails after it has been well softened by warm 

 water and soap. Having thus disinfected the part and cleared 

 away the exfoliating surface skin, dry it with a soft towel, and 

 rub into it some non-irritating oily matter, such as lanoline, fresh 

 animal fat, sweet oil, or fresh butter. Even a very small quantity 

 of salt in either the fat or the butter, will cause either of these 

 substances to have an irritating effect on the skin. If there be 

 much heat and soreness present, apply a carrot or turnip poultice, 

 after the washing, for a day or two. Having taken off the 

 poultice, wash the part, gently scrape off the thickened cuticle 

 and fibrous tissue, and apply the lubricant. Dr. Armstrong, 

 Indian Medical Service, has found very good results from 

 enveloping the part in hot, dry bran. When the skin gradually 

 begins to assume its normal condition, discontinue the washing 

 and the lubricating application by degrees. If the simple oil, or 

 fat, be found ineffective, substitute for it, oxide of zinc ointment 

 (1 to 8 of lard), nitrate of mercury ointment (1 to 4 of lard), or 

 liquor plmnbi subacetatis (Goulard's extract) and oil or cream (1 

 to 4). If the legs be filled, apply pressure in the manner described 

 on page 44 and hand rub, so as to quicken the circulation of 

 blood. A return to a state of health will be shown by the part 

 re-assuming its usual covering of fine hair. 



For grease, use creosote and spirit (1 to 6), or carbolic acid 1 

 part, camphor 2^ parts ; or oreolin, 1 to 6 of water. Lies's treat- 

 ment with sulphuric acid and spirit (about 1 to 15) is strongly 

 recommended. If grapes or scar tissue tumours be present, care- 

 fully disinfect the part (a good wash is 20 grains of chinosol or 

 J oz. of creolin, in a pint of water) ; remove the excrescences with 

 the scissors, or knife ; apply tannoform, or some other suitable 

 antiseptic (p. 67) to the wound; cover over with antiseptic cotton- 

 wool and gutta-percha tissue; and apply a bandage, with evenly 

 distributed pressure (p. 44), so that the wound may heal in the 

 best and quickest manner. Following the lines of success in the 

 treatment of canker (which is closely akin to gprease), strenuously 

 try to obtain a dry condition of the affected skin, in curing grease, 

 by one or other of the applications just mentioned, by evenly 

 distributed pressure, and by Armstrong's dry, hot bran poultice. 



Professor Frohner has had admirable results in the treatment 

 of grease, gi^apes, mallenders and sallenders, by painting the 

 affected parts with a solution of chromic acid (1 part to 9 parts of 

 water) every day, or every second day, until they dried up. 



For treatment by carbide of calcium, see page 173. 



An Australian veterinary surgeon often cured most obstinate 



