ERYTHEMA. 



493 



ing of sheep and dog, contusions daring transportation of the ani- 

 mals (pig), etc.]. Here, erythema is called traumatic. 



2. Chemical irritations : slight cauterizations, frictions having a 

 carbolic acid or tar base, also cantharides, emetics, sinapisms, etc. ; 

 <3ecomposition of urine upon the skin, which is soiled with it in 

 the neighborhood of the vulva or sheath, in paralysis of the pos- 

 terior quarters ; insect stings, and the action of moulds ; this form 

 is toxic erythema. 



3. Thermic irritations : extreme temperature (first stage of a burn 

 and of congelation), the action of the solar rays falling directly 

 upon the regions which" are deprived of pigment : this form is 

 termed caloric or solar erythema. 



Treatment. We must suppress its cause or attenuate its effects, 

 cover the skin with compresses of white lotion, and dust it with 

 starch, oxide of zinc, use frictions with a salve of lead or zinc base; 

 finally, when the pruritus is very violent, we use nitrate of silver 

 in a solution of 6 per cent. ; such are its principe.! indications. In 

 the larger number of cases, cutaneous erythema disappears within 

 a few days without any intervention. 



[In mild cases of dermatitis in the horse we may make use of an 

 application composed of ung. zinci oxid. 1 part, hydrarg. oleat. (5 per 

 €ent.) 1 part, glycerin 4 parts. This will be found a most efficient 

 preparation, not only curative but as a prophylactic. The action 

 of mercurials in inflammations of tli3 skin is too well known to 

 require discussion in this connection. — w. L. z.] 



A special form of this disease, which, however, is no longer a 

 simple erythema, is represented by the eruption produced by feed- 

 ing with buckwheat (fagopyrism). It sometimes develops in the 

 shape of erythema, but oftener it is complicated by an erythematous 

 dermatitis (inflammatory infiltration of the derma and œdema), 

 which may take on the vesicular ^ bullous^ phlegmonous^ erysipelatous^ 

 or gangrenous forms. Indeed, it is impossible to draw a distinct 

 line between simple hyperemia of the skin and its erythematous 

 inflammation. 



The cause of fagopyrism is feeding upon buckwheat (^Polygonum 

 fagopyrum) and a few other plants of the same family (P. persi- 

 caria, etc.) It may be produced by green buckwheat or by seeds, 

 husks, dry stubbles, etc. But it seems that the influence of sun- 

 light is necessary to its development. It is probable that in the 

 Jiiajority of cases its pathogenesis is the following : moulds and other 



