TIIF. MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 303 



occupying more or less extent of surface. These vesicles contain, 

 at the period of their maturity, scarcely serosity enough to raise 

 the epidermis* which becomes detached, dragging the hairs with 

 it that run across, leaving behind it a small bare surface, perfectly 

 circular, of the diameter of a lentil, or the smallest silver coin. 

 This bare part becomes covered with a crust of dried serosity, 

 which soon exfoliates,! and is replaced by a new epidermis, per- 

 fectly smooth. 



"This primary stage of the disease is difficult to meet with, 

 because, ordinarily, horses are not submitted to examination 

 before depilation has commenced — the sequel of the desiccation % 

 of the vesicles. 



" At the second stage of the poultry lousiness, the most pathog- 

 nomonic § lesion is the depilation || consecutive on the vesicular 

 eruption ; and this is so characteristic, that, once the disease 

 observed in its true form, and traced to its cause, a simple coup 

 d'ceil% is all that is necessary to recognize and distinguish it from 

 all other cutaneous affections. 



" The depilation is of that remarkable character that it reflects 

 exactly, in the general impression it makes upon the skin, the 

 form of the vesicular eruption, solitary or confluent, of which it is 

 the latest vestige. In fact, the surface is marked by regular cir- 

 cular patches, of the diameter of a lentil, giving it the aspect of 

 tiger spots. In places where the eruption has been the most con- 

 fluent, the depilation spreads between the vesicles, and so extends 

 over a considerable patch of surface; but, even in these places, 

 the circular disposition of the denuded patches, the primary 

 expression of the original vesicular eruption, is still maintained 

 in the smooth condition of the epidermis. 



" This depilation spreads, like the vesicular eruption of which 

 it is the consequence, with very great rapidity. In two or three 

 days, the horse, with the most shining coat, may have it spotted 

 over with circular patches bare of hair, and in the course of a 



* The outer or scarf skin. 



f Separates from the living skin. + Drying up. 



§ A term given to the symptoms which mark the disease. Lesion means 

 injury. 



II Loss of hair. IT Glance, 



