ECZEMA. 



495 



latous process of the skin and head to the meninges. These com- 

 plications may lead to death. Vertiginous and epileptiform attacks 

 observed by Rabe^ and others on horses and pigs the cutaneous 

 tegument of which was uuaffected would induce the supposition 

 that there exists a narcotic poison in buckwheat. 



Treatment. From a prophylactic point of view we should 

 avoid driving white sheep into buckwheat fields during hot weather 

 or when the sun is very strong ; they must only be taken there 

 toward the end of the day or in cloudy weather. It is always more 

 advisable to have this plant consumed in the sheepfold. When 

 the disease has made its appearance the animals must at once be 

 taken to shady places, or better, into stables. If there are any 

 complications, we should institute local treatment. Erysipelatous 

 inflammation of the skin of the head, accompanied or not by cerebral 

 and general symptoms, must be combated by cooling compresses or 

 lotions with a solution of cresol, and thorough internal administra- 

 tion of antiphlogistics, 



ECZEMA. 



Eczema may be defined as a plain dermatitis of multiple form 

 presenting numerous stages of development and very variable in its 

 intensity. Considered in its nature and course, eczema offers the 

 greatest similarity to inflammation of membranous organs, espe- 

 cially the mucous membranes ; it has therefore been looked upon 

 as a kind of catarrh of the skin. As with catarrhal inflammation, 

 we may recognize in it serous^ mucous, and purulent types, etc., 

 according to the activity of the phlegmasia and the constitution of 

 the affected regions. This poly morphia assumed by eczema in its 

 manifestations has been the cause of the classification of a large 

 number of special diseases under this denomination. These old 

 terms much more easily explain that the same cutaneous affection 

 may present objectively considerable diflerences ; the most simple 

 dermatoses acquire a certain serious character when the animals rub 

 or scratch themselves ; the same influence may produce phenomena 

 which are altogether dissimilar, according to the location of the in- 

 tegument upon which it acts, also an individual sensitiveness, the 

 constitution and age of the animals, etc. The numerous influences 

 to which these diseases of the skin are susceptible account readily for 

 the obscurity and confusion which hasvalways existed in this respect» 



* Rabe: Preuss. Mittheil., Bde.'xvi. u. xvii. 



