258 CONTAGIOUS DISEASES. 



perineum, and extremities, wasting, general weakness, and a 

 slight engorgement of the submaxillary glands. The circulation, 

 respiration, and even appetite remain unaltered in this form ; 

 the last may, however, become capricious. At this stage the 

 symptoms commence gradually to diminish, and the disease 

 usually disappears of itself in from a fortnight to two months. 

 The only trace of it that can be seen four or five months after- 

 wards is a slight thickening of the mucous membrane of the 

 vagina, and that only in some cases. 



It should, however, be remarked that this form may become 

 aggravated and assume the malignant one. 



In the stallion the benign form is difficult to detect. A con- 

 siderable time may elapse before the manifestation of any 

 symptom, and even then an intermittent oedematous engorge- 

 ment of the sheath may be the only one apparent. 



The benign form in the stallion may become malignant as in 

 the mare. — (Eeynal.) 



Malignant form {Dourine). — The local symptoms of tliis form 

 in the mare are exactly the same at the onset as those of the 

 benign form. Soon, however, they become more pronounced. 



The lips of the vulva augment and diminish alternately ; or 

 one side only may be swollen, thus giving the organ a deformed 

 appearance. Generally the swellings extend to the anus, and 

 along the perineum to the mammary gland. The mucous 

 membrane of the vagina presents numerous furrows, becomes 

 still more infiltrated, and is studded with numerous patches of 

 a blue or yellow colour, and on it may now be seen the pustules 

 spoken of in the benign form. 



The temperature of the vagina is elevated ; the liquid that 

 flows from it is more abundant, and also more irritating than in 

 the preceding form, excoriating and denuding the skin of the 

 thighs, &c., over which it trickles. 



On the external surface of the lips of the vulva, on the peri- 

 neum, and on the inside of the thighs, lenticular pustules, which 

 dry and form scabs, are sometimes seen. When these scabs fall 

 they leave circular wounds, which heal rapidly. 



The vulva and the mucous membrane of the vagina are now 

 of a doughy consistence, and the latter presents a marbled ap- 

 pearance, the clitoris becomes swollen and indurated, and 

 protrudes from the inferior commissure. The discharge is tliick 



