DISEASES OP THE SKIN 291 



■ mass consMs of epidermal cells macerated by the exudate. 

 In this skin disease there is an active proliferation going on 

 in the papillary and malpighian layer, at the same time, 

 involving the cutis and subcutis. The papillae of the papil- 

 lary layer enlarge greatly and appear as wart-like excres- 

 cences. In the rete mucosum, which, of course, rests right 

 upon these enlarged papillae, cells are formed so rapidly that 

 they do not have time to become horny, but are continuously- 

 soaked and macerated by the inflammatory exudate, so that 

 they appear upon the surface as a gray, smeary mass previ- 

 ously mentioned; should the cell production in the rete 

 mucosum be less rapid, the surface has a gray, dusty appear- 

 ance. The dropping out of the hair is explained by the fact 

 that the pathological process extends to the hair follicles. As 

 a result of the connective tissue proliferation of the cutis 

 and subcutis in cases of long standing, elephantiasis of the 

 leg is a consequence. 



What is the prognosis of dermatitis eesematosa ? 



When the horse can be given complete rest recovery takes- 

 place in eight to fourteen days. In those cases where the 

 skin is fissured, unfavorable complications may arise ; at any 

 rate, the treatment is much more difficult and considerable 

 time and skill are required to prevent the formation of large 

 keloids. 



What is the treatment of ecsematous dermatitis ? 



In- the earlier stages, a warm, moist, antiseptic cataplasm 

 is indicated to, remove all the crusts. Of the endless number 

 of agents employed in this , disease, tannoform or red oxide of 

 mercury ointment (1 : 5) has given me the best results. In the 

 earlier stages, where excessive granulations are to be com^ 

 bated, these may have to be snipped off and a powder of one 



