58 VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



nothing is better than Scotch whiskey and milk in suitable quan- 

 tities according to the strength of the patient, varying from one 

 to five fluid ounces of whiskey in an equal quantity of milk. 



ERYSIPEIvAS. 



This is an acute febrile disease affecting the whole thickness of 

 the skin and the underl3dng parts; it, as a rule, diffuses itself 

 over a wide area; there is much general swelling and pain and 

 the evidence of its presence is shown by the hot red shining con- 

 dition of the inflamed skin upon and within which a number of 

 very small blisters which contain a yellowish fluid mixed with 

 blood ma}' be observed. In the human subject it is described as 

 a contagious disease, but by some eminent authorities on horse 

 pathology it is not considered capable of propagation from one 

 animal to another. Without wishing to arrogate too much to our- 

 selves we are distinctly of opinion that it is innocculable from one 

 horse to another, and therefore we should consider it might prove 

 contagious especially if some of the exuded serum from one pa- 

 tient comes in contact with an abraded wound on another animal. 



The disease as a rule commences to develop at the fetlock joint 

 or hock and spreads in an upward direction covering the whole 

 superficies of the leg; on this account it may be distinguished from 

 lymphangitis (or weed) which usually commences at the upper 

 portion of the limb and .spreads as it descends. So far as swell- 

 ing, heat and tenderness occur in weed they resemble erysipelas, 

 but the skin in the latter is generally a brighter red, more .shin- 

 ing and tense, while in weed we do not find that tendency to 

 form little vesicles and sloughing sores that are generally present 

 in erysipelas. 



Symptoms. — The first indications are similar to those observed 

 in many other febrile diseases, viz: Exalted temperature, full 

 and rapid pulse, quickened breathing, staring coat, mouth hot and 

 clammy, lo.ss of appetite, breath very unpleasant, much prostration 

 and waste of the muscular tissues. The local symptoms are, at 

 fir.st, slight swelling from which a yellowish fluid exudes; the 

 swelling gradually extends over the limb, which as a rule is one of 

 the hind ones; as the swelling increases the affected parts will pit on 

 pressure but the indentation will fill up again soon after the finger 

 is removed; if this condition is not arrested by suitable treatment, 



