232 SCARLET FEVER. 



them as cases of typhus, whereas Spinola describes cases 

 occurring in a number of three and four-year-old colts, pre- 

 senting all the characters described by Mr Hunting, and re- 

 garded by Professor Spinola as instances of scarlet fever. 



VARIOLOUS FEVERS. 



Man and many animals are subject to a specific inflamma- 

 tion of the skin dependent on a blood poison which is thrown 

 off in pustules, and leads constantly to the reproduction of 

 the disease. Human small-pox may be regarded as typical 

 variola, and the same poison induces a very characteristic 

 eruption, but less severe constitutional symptoms on the horse 

 and cow. Of all animals, sheep are attacked by the most 

 malignant form of variola a form which is not transmissible 

 to man, and only occasionally to other animals, such as the 

 dog. Swine are also destroyed by a specific form of variolous 

 fever, but rarely; and the same remark applies to goats and 

 poultry. 



All variolous fevers are contagious. Contagion is their 

 only known and well-ascertained cause. They occur as 

 sporadics or epizootics, according to the circumstances under 

 which communication occurs. Thus, amongst flocks of 

 sheep, variola is usually epizootic. Amongst horses kept 

 separately, it is usually sporadic. 



All variolous fevers are characterised by a definite course 

 and duration. They cannot be cut short without endanger- 

 ing the patient's life, and in all there is a period of incuba- 

 tion, eruption, and dessication. Symptoms of general fever, 

 however, prevail, or occur simultaneously with the first 

 indications of any cutaneous disorder. 



