ERYSIPELAS. 59 



the parts soon become so full of fluid under the skin, that the 

 latter is firmer and no impression can. be made on it; this is the 

 period in the de^•elopment of the disease when large numbers of 

 small vesicles will form, ostensibly to relieve the parts from the 

 pressure of the accumulated fluid; should this proceed to sup- 

 puration or the formation of matter (pus), the skin will become 

 dead in patches and peel off and in very severe cases it has been 

 known to penetrate to the muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints 

 the consequences of which may be very serious, leading to stiff 

 joints or even to death; but under homoeopathic treatment, with 

 ordinary care and attention, results such as these should be un- 

 known. 



Treatment. — Aconite, ix is the most useful remedy to com- 

 mence with when the fever is ver\' high at the outset, the skin 

 dr}^ and hot, the pulse full rapid and bounding, and when giddi- 

 ness excitability and nervousness are evinced and the horse can- 

 not bear to have the parts touched; ?f taken in time this remedv 

 will not infrequently abort further developments and complete the 

 cure. 



Apis Mellifica, 3X. — This is a peculiarly efficient remed}^ in the 

 more superficial forms of the disease, when the swellings contain- 

 ing fluid are spread over a greater surface and do not form the 

 small vesicles (or pimples), and when the parts are not particu- 

 larly red and shining; there is one special symptom to guide in 

 the selection of Apis, when the horse coughs as though the throat 

 were rough and dry, nor does he care to drink to relie\-e the dry- 

 ness; the urine also is scanty and ver}^ high colored; the remed\' 

 has been found very efficacious in those forms of the disease which 

 arise as the result of a wound or injury; a general diffused swell- 

 ing of the eyelids, as though fluid was dispersed under the skin 

 which may arise independently of or in conjunction with erysipelas 

 in other parts points distinctly to this drug as the suitable remedy. 

 Belladonna, 3X. — The leading indication is the smooth, bright 

 red, shining condition of the skin, the oedema (or swelling) is not 

 so considerable as that for which Apis is suitable, but the parts 

 are hotter and more tender to the touch; that peculiar svmptom 

 referred to on several occasions, throbbing pnlse of the carotid 

 arteries also serves to determine in favor of Belladomia, as does an 



