72 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE* 



differs from influenza. It is also more quickly developed 

 and runs its course quicker than influenza, the duration of 

 the disease usually being about nine or ten days, while 

 influenza lasts from ten to thirty days, and is not nearly so 

 amenable to treatment as the disease under consideration. 

 Epizootic cellulitis may be complicated with influenza, 

 enteritis, and affections of the lungs, liver, heart, etc., and 

 sometimes terminates in enteritis, etc. The immediate 

 cause of death may be a blood-clot in the heart. 



PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA. 



Definition. — An eruptive, non-contagious fever, occurring 

 occasionally as an idiopathic disease, but most generally occur- 

 ring as a result of some previous disease of a debilitating 

 nature, as strangles, influenza, etc. It is a disease of a septic 

 character, and has been likened to anthrax ; and although 

 some of the external manifestations of purpura are very 

 similar to those of anthrax, it is, nevertheless, a disease 

 quite different in character. It cannot be communicated 

 by inoculation. A very great change takes place in the 

 blood, which, losing its usual characteristics, becomes very 

 fluid, and of a darker hue than that of a healthy animal ; 

 it is only feebly, if at all, coagulable ; the capillary system 

 of the mucous tract is considerably affected, allowing great 

 extravasation of blood to take place. However, any part, 

 or parts of the body, as the lungs, nervous system, etc., 

 may be more particularly involved than other parts. The 

 disease is undoubtedly due to a change, or degeneration of 

 tissue within the body, which may be the result of absorp- 

 tion of some decomposing animal matter. 



Causes. — As before stated, purpura hcemorrhagica occurs 

 as a sequel in most cases to some other disease, and more 

 particularly follows diseases of a very debilitating character, 

 as catarrh, strangles, influenza, etc. : probably follow- 



