OTHER PARASITES AND PARASITIC DISEASES OF THE SKIN.
For discussion of mange, itch, scab, lousiness, warbles (grub in the skin), buffalo gnats, hornfly (Hæmatobia serrata), ticks, flies, etc., see the chapter on "The animal parasites of cattle," page 502.
WOUNDS OF THE SKIN.
SNAKE BITES AND VENOMOUS STINGS.
[See discussion of these subjects in chapter on "Poisons and poisoning.">[
BURNS AND SCALDS.
This is a rare accident among cattle, yet in cases of fire it may occur. The application of heat, whether dry or moist, unless sufficient instantly to destroy the life of a part, is always followed by the development of vesicles or blisters, which contain a thin, watery fluid. The blisters may be isolated and not very large, or one blister may cover a very large surface. When the burn is very severe the skin may be wholly devitalized, or the injury may extend into the deeper structures of the skin. Then sloughs will occur, followed by a contraction of the parts in healing; if on a limb, this may render the animal stiff. When the burn or scald has been a severe one, the resulting pain is great and the constitutional disturbance very marked.
Treatment.—For a superficial burn use a mixture of equal parts of limewater and linseed oil, or common white paint—white lead ground in oil—to exclude the atmosphere and protect the inflamed skin. If it is not convenient to get anything else, chimney soot, flour, or starch may be spread on the wound (dry), and covered with cotton batting and light bandage. The blisters should be opened to let the contained fluid escape, but do not pull off the thin cuticle which has been raised by the blister. When the burn is extensive and deep sloughing occurs, the parts should be treated, like other deep wounds, by poulticing, astringent washes, etc. When the system has sustained much shock, the animal may require internal stimulants, such as 2 drams of carbonate of ammonia every hour until it rallies. When the pain is very great, hypodermic injections of 6 grains of morphia may be administered every six hours.
Frostbite on any portion of the body may be treated as recommended in the article on diseases of the ears.