ERYSIPELAS. 447 



known as surgical when it spread from a wound (through which the 

 germ had gained access) and medical, or idiopathic, when it started 

 independently of any recognizable lesion. Depending as it does, how- 

 ever, upon a germ distinct from the body, the disease must be looked 

 upon as such, no matter by what channel the germ found an entrance. 

 Erysipelas which follows a wound is usually much more violent than 

 the other form, the difference being doubtless partly due to the 

 lowered vitality of the wounded tissues and to the oxidation and 

 septic changes which are invited on the raw, exposed surface. As 

 apparently idiopathic cases may be due to infection throug"h bites of 

 insects, the small amount of poison inserted may serve to moderate 

 the violence. 



This affection may attack a wound on any part of the horse's body, 

 while apart from wounds it is most frequent about the head and the 

 hind limbs. It is to be distinguished from ordinary inflammations 

 by its gradual extension from the point first attacked, by the abun- 

 dant liquid exudation into the affected part, by the tension of the skin 

 over the affected part, by its soft boggy feeling, allowing it to be 

 deeply indented by the finger, by the abrupt line of limitation between 

 the diseased and healthy skin, the former descending suddenly to the 

 healthy level instead of shading off slowly toward it, by the tendency 

 of the inflammation to extend deeply into the subjacent tissues and 

 into the muscles and other structures, by the great tendency to death 

 and sloughing of portions of skin and of the structures beneath, by 

 the formation of pus at various different points throughout the 

 diseased parts without any surrounding sac to protect the surround- 

 ing structures from its destructive action, and without the usual dis- 

 position of pus to advance harmlessly toward the surface and escape ; 

 and, finally, by a low prostrating type of fever, with elevated tem- 

 perature of the body, coated tongue, excited breathing, and loss of 

 appetite. The pus when escaping through a lancet wound is grayish, 

 brownish, or reddish, with a heavy or fetid odor, and intermixed with 

 shreds of broken-down tissues. The most destructive form, however, 

 is that in which pus is deficient and gangrene and sloughing more 

 speedy and extensive. 



Treatment resolves itself mainly into the elimination from the 

 system of the poisonous products of the bacteria by laxatives and 

 diuretics, the sustaining of the failing vitality by tonics and stimu- 

 lants, above all those of the nature of antiferments, and the local 

 application of astringent and antiseptic agents. Internal treatment 

 may consist in 4 drams tincture of muriate of iron and one-half dram 

 muriate of ammonia or chlorate of potash, given in a pint of water 

 every two hours. To this may be added, liberally, whisky or brandy 

 when the prostration is very marked. Locally a strong solution of 

 iron, alum, or of sulphate of iron and laudanum may be used ; or the 



