66 MANUAL OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



tissue may terminate in suppuration, and the pus formed 

 may burrow in the meshes of the connective-tissue. Thus 

 large portions of skin and tissue may be destroyed. If, how- 

 ever, the inflammatory action is not excessive, the effusion 

 is absorbed, and the vesicles speedily desiccate and form 

 scales, which separate in time. In cases of a very severe 

 type, sloughing of the tissues may spread to the more 

 deeply-seated structures, and involve the muscles, ligaments, 

 sometimes even leading to necrosis of the bones. 



In some cases the pus may find its way into the joints, 

 causing their disintegration, and producing constitutional 

 disturbance so serious as to prove fatal. 



The mucous membrane of the mouth and nose may also 

 become affected. In phlegmonous erysipelas the fever is 

 very severe. The pulse is quick and feeble ; the respira- 

 tions are hurried, and the pain is intense. 



Prognosis. — The milder forms may terminate favourably 

 by desquamation in ten to fourteen days. 



The phlegmonous variety, in which the fever is of a 

 typhoid character, is in most cases fatal. 



The cellular form is very rarely seen in the horse. 



Diagnosis. — Erysipelas may be confounded with scar- 

 latina, acute farcy, and lymphangitis. Yet by carefully 

 noting the symptoms, they are easily distinguished. 

 "j' Treatment. — The patient should be placed in a well- 

 ventilated loose box, and a mild purge of calomel or aloes, 

 or both, may be given. We may then administer liquor 

 ammonise acetatis, with camphor and nitric ether, three times 

 daily. If the temperature be very high, salicylic acid may 

 be tried, in full doses, twice or thrice daily. The tincture 

 of perchloride of iron is recommended by some from the 

 earliest onset of the disease. In the human subject this 

 remedy is regarded as a specific in erysipelas. 



As the disease progresses, stimulants become necessary ; 



