In all oases when acute eczema makes its appearance, the first step in local treatment is to remove the hair, not only over the eruption, but for a sufficient distance from it to insure the disease is seen in its entirety.

With the scissors remove the greater portion and shave closely. The parts are then to be carefully washed, remembering to use cold water, carbolic soap, a soft sponge, and to be exceedingly gentle, as an approach to hard rubbing will add to the inflammation.

In using medicinal applications it must be remembered the skin is in a very irritable state, and the treatment should necessarily be soothing. The balsam of peru is a remedy which has for years been much used in the treatment of skin diseases; in many cases it has proved efficacious, in others less active; when unsuccessful it is presumed other essentials in treatment were neglected. The writer has sufficient confidence in the remedy to recommend'lts use.

After the hair has been shaved off, the parts carefully bathed and allowed to dry, the balsam should be warmed and freely applied. Generally nothing more need be done until the following day, when it will be well to again use the balsam or freely apply the oxide of zlnc ointment, this being especially indicated if the skin is very irritable, and the animal is inclined to scratch.

Until recovery takes place, or it is evident other local remedies must be resorted to before a cure can be accomplished, the balsam should be used continuously or alternated with the zlnc ointment.

In rare instances notwithstanding these applications, the itching will still be intolerable, and the animal continue to gnaw or scratch.

If necessary camphor and morphine can be added to the zinc ointment as follows. -

℞ Morph. Sulph. gr.ij.

Pulv. Camphorae ℥ ss Ungt.Zinci Oxidi ℥ i Ft. Ungt. Sig. Apply not too freely.

While ointments are almost invariably serviceable, occasionally the secretion from the eruption will be excessive, and powders will be needed to check it. The powdered oxide of zlnc or the subnitrate of bismuth are advised in such cases.

The writer appreciates that this advice to cut and shave the hair will not always be followed, or at least it will be done with reluctance and after other means have been sought and employed. In such cases the balsam of peru should be heated and poured on to the eruption, and rubbed in well with the finger two or three times daily, or the following can be applied -

℞ Bala. Peru.

Spts. Rectificati aa ℥ iij Zinci Oxidi ℥ i.

Glycerinae ℥ x.

Ft. Mist. Sig. Shake well. External use.

If a doubt exists as to the eruption being simple eczema, and there is a possibility that the irritation is induced by a parasite, instead of the oxide of zinc, it would be well to add an ounce of sulphur to the mixture. The animal should be watched and wherever he is seen to scratch, even if no eruption is apparent the solution should be freely applied.