162 ERYSIPELAS. 



For us, however, all tlie varied developments of the disease 

 may be grouped under the three different forms of — 1. Simi^le 

 cutaneous eTysix>elas, in which there is diffuse inflammation of 

 the skin alone, the underlying textures being little, if at all, 

 involved. 2. Gellulo-cutaneous or i:)hlegin%onov,s erysipelas, in 

 which both the skin and subcutaneous connective-tissue are 

 affected. 3. Cellular erysipelas, in this the inflammation is 

 confined to the underlying cutaneous connective-tissue, the 

 skin itself being little involved. This last form I have rarely 

 found in the horse. 



Erysipelas has also, having a regard to what are considered 

 as causes, been spoken of as idioiiathic when appearing spon- 

 taneously, and traumatic when associated with an appreciable 

 injury. 



In some of its forms of development it is encountered 

 amongst all our domestic animals ; while the horse, with which 

 we are more particularly concerned, is probably the greatest 

 sufferer. In him we meet with it, both as an independent or 

 idiopathic affection, and associated with, or resulting from, 

 an obvious injury. The latter form, as being more properly 

 included in the province of surgery, will not at this time en- 

 gage our attention. 



6. Nature and Causation. — Both in the essential nature of 

 the local morbid process which characterizes erysipelas, and in 

 the entire aetiology, much difference of opmion has been ex- 

 pressed. By some it has been regarded as a common inflam- 

 matory action, arising from general or local disturbances, and 

 owing any feature of individuality which it may possess to 

 some condition of temperament or extrinsic agency. On the 

 other hand, it is probably more generally accepted as the 

 visible manifestation of the operation of some specific poison, 

 animate or otherwise, which has found an entrance into the 

 animal body. Although in the horse not appearing to be 

 capable of propagation by contagion, it does in all its features 

 and results seem more than a common inflammation. 



I have observed that it is more apt to occur in animals in a 

 debilitated and exhausted condition, and when these are exposed 

 to the operation of influences which undoubtedly are potent 

 factors in the production of disease generally. Also it is de- 

 serving of note that in many other animals it seems directly 



