Pox Avith Atypical Course. ^Il 



of tlie thick scabs, an extended ulcerative surface remains, which 

 heals only after a long time leaving- irregular shaped cicatriza- 

 tions. 



Most unfavorable is the course in those cases in which, dur- 

 ing the development of the eruptions extensive hemorrhages ap- 

 pear (variola hemorrhagica s. nigra). Although disseminated 

 small hemorrhages may occur in the mild cases, the hemorrhagic 

 character of the affections is at other times pronounced. Be- 

 tween papules of normal appearance, dark red eruptions are 

 observed, which do not disappear on pressure, hemorrhages 

 also occurring on the smooth skin and in the subcutis. In 

 other cases the exanthema develops at first normally, although 

 accompanied by severe general disturbances. Suddenly, how- 

 ever, the serous contents of the vesicles become hemorrhagic 

 and then the eruptions appear dark red, almost blackish. At 

 the saine time a bloody nasal discharge, hematuria and bloody 

 diarrhea, indicate similar hemorrhages in the internal organs. 



The severity of the disease is also manifested in the be- 

 havior of the affected animals. They stand in one place, swing- 

 ing their bodies with drooping heads, and at times grinding the 

 teeth, or lie motionless on the ground. The respiration is very 

 labored, and is usually done through the mouth. The body dis- 

 seminates an unpleasant repulsive odor. The affected parts of 

 the skin turn into ulcers, which become covered with a dirty 

 ichorous mass, while other parts of the skin may become gan- 

 grenous, forming dirty brown masses. Gangrene may also ex- 

 tend to the muscles, and occasionally the ears, lips, eyelids, etc., 

 may also become gangrenous, these parts later dropping off 

 (variola gangraenosa, gangrenous pox, rot pox ; such necrosis is 

 sometimes observed in the confluent but non-hemorrhagic 

 papules). Death may result in any stage, even before the de- 

 velopment of the vesicles. 



The so called black pox does not represent a special form of the disease, 

 but is primarily identical with the ordinary sheep pox, while the hemorrhages 

 aie very likely originally associated with an especially severe accidental septic 

 infection. 



Most frequent are those complications which occur in the 

 animals as a result of scratching and rubbing on account of 

 itching. Thus a severe dermatitis may sometimes develop at 

 the places of the ruptured vesicles, which retards the subsequent 

 healing, and as a result of this marked edematous swelling may 

 develop, even in mild cases, especially on the head. After heal- 

 ing scarred depressions result from such wounds at the place 

 of the vesicles. If the patients rub their noses much, which 

 they frequently do, the inflammation may also extend to the 

 nasal septum, and to the periosteum of the nasal bones, and for 

 this reason these bones sometimes become necrotic. 



Cheraosis of the conjunctivae, which in severe cases of con- 

 junctivitis develops not infrequently, may result in an ulcerative 



