62 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



The local symptoms invariably attack the skin, sometimes the mucous 

 membranes of the nose and eye are also involved, especially as the result 

 of auto-inoculation while scratching or rubbing infected places. 



All parts of the body, wherever there is a wound to admit the virus, 

 are liable to become the seat of the disease. 



From four to six weeks after infection a small hard nodule appears on 

 the site of inoculation, and the lymphatics about it may be felt beneath 

 the skin, or the latter may be first enlarged or " corded " to the feel. 



In some cases it has been noticed that a general enlargement of the 

 limb occurs, and the lymphatic enlargement is only recognized when 

 the swelling has subsided. 



The primary nodule and lymphatic vessels continue to enlarge until 

 the latter staijd out as distinct lines radiating from the former. At first 

 the nodule is hard and small, but ultimately reaches the size of a walnut 

 or a hen's egg. At this time it is soft and fluctuating, and soon breaks 

 and discharges a quantity of pus, which is remarkable for its thick sticky 

 nature, a character which does not belong to the pus of farcy. This is 

 soon followed by the development of granulations, which not only fill 

 up the cavity but likewise extend beyond it in the form of proud-flesh. 

 With the discharge of pus the edges of the wound have a tendency to 

 fall in, but this is soon prevented, either by the development of granu- 

 lation and the filling up of the wound, or by the ulceration and loss of 

 the skin. 



In all cases the wound has an indurated base, the surrounding con- 

 nective tissue having taken on a slowly progressive inflammation, of which 

 abscess is the result. 



In some instances there are chains of abscesses running along the line 

 of the thickened lymphatic vessels, and breaking out at varying intervals 

 of time, so that abscesses entire, broken, and in process of repair may 

 sometimes be seen side by side. 



When a swelling is cut into in the early period of the disease, it is 

 found to be hard and grayish-white in colour. There is a considerable 

 connective tissue new growth in the part, and as the point of ripening 

 is reached a dark vascular area appears, in the midst of which suppuration 

 proceeds and continues until an abscess is developed. 



It is, however, not always the case that suppuration is the immediate 

 result. In some cases the .swelling subsides, and apparently for the time 

 it disappears, but sooner or later it reappears and goes through the usual 

 process of abscess formation. 



"When the disease attacks the mucous membrane of the nose, "the 

 lesions are first noticed in the form of small papules or pimples, which 



