402 
.1. T. DUNCAN. 
Symptoms .—“ Unlike rinderpest or pleuro-pneumonia, which 
are almost confined to the ruininantia, contagious eczema affects 
cattle, sheep, pigs, dogs, poultry, and even human beings ; ” cattle, 
however, suffering most. 
After a period of incubation varying from twenty-four hours 
to three or four days, the invasion and progress of the disease are 
characterized by the elevation of the temperature of from two to 
four degrees; by the formation of vesicles, varying in size from 
that of a sixpence to that of half a crown, on the tongue, inside 
the lips, roof of mouth, and sometimes on the udder, whilst 
smaller blisters are apparent between the digits and around the 
coronets and heels, the animal at the same time presenting signs 
of uneasiness in the mouth and feet. * * In a short time the 
epithelial and cutaneous structures enclosing the vesicles are sep¬ 
arated from the vascular structures and are thrown off in more 
or less rounded patches, leaving raw surfaces, which are, however, 
speedily recovered by epithelium. In some cases there is entire 
separation of the hoofs from the feet. It was at one time believed 
that an animal which had once suffered from eczema contagiosa 
was guarded against another attack. This is not the case, how 
ever; but one attack generally gives immunity during that season. 
Even this latter rule, however, is not an invariable one, as some 
animals will take it several times the same season. 
Treatment .—Mild cases require but little medical treatment. 
If the mouth be sore, give plenty of cold water, in which may be 
dissolved a little nitrate of potash as a febrifuge. Soft, easily 
masticated food must be given in every case. Watch the feet 
carefully; if suppuration occurs, remove all detached horn and 
dress with mild astringents. “ What I usually prescribe is an 
ounce of the concentrated solution of pure carbolic acid, one part 
to sixteen hot water, to twelve of white lotion; pledgets of tow 
dipped in this are to be bandaged on. This simple expedient, so 
generally neglected, will often prevent a lameness of many weeks’ 
or even months’ duration.” If great weakness is manifest, stim¬ 
ulants, as brandy, whiskey and spirits of nitrous ether must be 
administered. In all instances bleeding, purging and other de¬ 
pleting measures are to be avoided. The bowels, perhaps eonsti- 
