In the treatment of chronic eczema one must expect to occasionally encounter cases obstinate and difficult to cure; more often they will yield readily to judicious treatment. It must be remembered that a cure of eczema can seldom be effected with one means alone, but changes to others must be made as the stages and conditions vary. We can never tell with certainty how a remedy will act in every case. The skins of some dogs are more easily affected than others, and certain applications which in some allay irritation, will in others intensify it.

Notwithstanding the obstacles encountered and disappointments met, the fact that eczema is a curable disease, should encourage us to persevere.

In commencing the local treatment of chronic eczema it is to be inferred that in the progress of the disease the hair has already fallen out; if not it should be removed to admit the easy application of remedies. The crusts should be detached by the free use of oily substances; it matters but little which is selected, either fresh lard, linseed oil, cod liver oil, or vaseline. Whatever is used should be very generously applied, and in recent oases these simple remedies are often sufficient to effect a cure.

If necessary to employ other means, it would be well to gently and thoroughly wash the animal, using a strong solution of borax, or shampoo with raw eggs. After washing and drying, the zinc ointment should be freely used, and the result patiently watched. If this proves ineffectual more active remedies must be chosen. Tar has proved itself very efficacious in chronic eczema and may be used variously combined. The oil of tar and glycerin, one part to three, acts well in some cases. The thick-cut form of tar is generally the better, and should be combined with other agents as follows. -

℞ Piois Liquid.

Sulphur. Flor. aa ℥ i.

8apo. Viridis.

Adepis aa ℥ ij.

Ft. Ungt. Sig. External use.

This ointment can be applied freely, and in cases where the hairs have not been removed, it will not stick and mat them together. A prolonged use of this preparation sometimes inflames the skin and necessitates its discontinuance for a time; in such cases it will be well to wash the animal thoroughly, and return to the oxide of zinc ointment or the use of fresh lard or vaseline. In cases proving obstinate under this treatment, it would be well to try the mixture of calomel and lime-water for which the name "black wash" is given. As a general rule tarry preparations are more appropriate when the affected parts feel stiff and rigid, and there is a tendency to the formation of fissures.

Preparations of lead are often found serviceable in the treatment of eczema; diachylon is the more common form used, and can be made into an ointment with linseed oil equal parts. Its long continued use is not advised, poisoning by absorption being possible.

The number of proprietary medicines for skin disease is countless; that all are positive cures is assured by extensive advertisements.

The writer has no disposition to discuss their value; many have virtues and others are comparatively worthless; none are infallible cures. Many .of these preparations are made of the oil of tar, glycerin, and powdered sulphur; to others are added prepared chalk; still others are formed of the balsam peru and alcohol, generally in parts one to five; occasionally is found one, the basis of which is naptha. All of these agents are active, and efficient in many cases; in as many others their use, independent of constitutional treatment, can accomplish but little.

Reviewing briefly the entire subject, we have in eczema a disease which can be cured. The fact that it has existed for a long time renders the prognosis more favorable, as in many oases the disease alone is to be corn-batted; not the morbid process which induced it.

In the earlier stages the soothing treatment is alone admissible. By it the intensity of the disease is lessened, even if recovery does not result.

While the eruption is localized and confined, external causes very likely induce it; on the other hand, when the eczema is more or less general, the cause is internal, and there treatment must imperatively be addressed.

In all cases the object is to correct abuses, build up the system, improve the general strength, and render the condition of the animal as near perfect as possible.