520 



DISEASES OF THE SKIN. 



Differential diagnosis. Eczema produced by malts may be 

 confounded with other affections, among which the most important 

 are : 



1. Grease, the objective characters of which are sometimes similar 

 to those of the dermatosis we are now considering. From an etio- 

 logical standpoint these two diseases are essentially different : the 

 first is produced by influences which are exclusively internal; it is 

 not at all dependent upon the method of feeding. Its alterations 

 do not exceed an erythematous condition ; vesicles are exceptionally 

 found in it. In practice we must be specially guided by the in- 

 dications and the regimen of the animals ; all eczemas which are 

 produced by other causes than alimentation with malts must be 

 classified under grease. 



2. Foot mange produced by parasites. Mange and eczema are 

 sometimes concomitant ; it is possible that the presence of acari 

 favors the development of eczema ; but analyses made from micro- 

 scopic comparisons show the symptoms and course of these diseases 

 to differ essentially. Parasitic or symbiotic mange is always benign ; 

 its evolution is very slow, and it is rarely located upon the extremi- 

 ties of the legs. 



3. Aphthous fever which is localized on the lower part of the legs. 

 It is characterized by a vesiculous exanthema which develops pref- 

 erably upon the coronet and the integument of the interdigital 

 space ; it is extremely contagious. Even in cases where it coexists 

 with malt eczema, the diagnosis is not difficult. 



4. Panaris (lohitlow). It consists of an infectious inflammation 

 of the integument of the coronet or of the interdigital space, which 

 is more or less extended upon the phalangeal region, and may 

 affect the tendons, articulations, periosteum and the bones. It is a 

 purely surgical trouble of the digits ; it is frequent in the ox, but 

 could not be confounded with exanthema produced by malt or 

 residues. 



The special symptoms of this affection are often indistinct on 

 account of the agents employed by empyrics, or used by owners, etc. 

 (petroleum and carbolic acid frictions, etc.). The diagnosis may 

 then present some difficulty at the start. 



Treatment. The principal indication consists in modifying the 

 alimentary regimen. Malts must be suppressed, or the daily rations 

 reduced to forty or even twenty litres, and we must give a greater 

 proportion of dry fodder or other kinds of food. According to 



