GENERAL, CONTAGIOUS, AND ENZOOTIC DISEASES. 275 



tures are characteristic of scarlatina, not so of erysipelas. From purpura 

 it differs by the more sthenic character of the entire morbid process, by 

 the local tumefaction being uniform and confined to one particular part 

 ox the body, usually the limbs, and most frequently a hind limb; while 

 in purpura the swellings are irregularly distributed, sharply defined, and 

 the head is early and markedly affected by these. The swellings in pur- 

 pura are also comparatively painless, not, as in ersipelas, acutely sensi- 

 tive. 



From the local swelling of acute farcy it differs in that here we have 

 no corded lymphatics nor any of the peculiar growths, farcy buds or 

 nodules; for although there may be sores in both cases, the character of 

 these sores is dissimilar; they have no hard base and circumference of in- 

 durated tissue as in farcy, while the exquisitely sensitive condition of the 

 entire dermal surface, so marked in erysipelas, is not so prominent in 

 farcy. 



With lymphangitis it has certain resemblances, particularly in the 

 early stages of both affections; as the disease progresses, however, there 

 is little danger of their being confounded, while all through their respec- 

 tive courses there are certain distinguishing features. In lymphangitis 

 the swelling, heat, and tenderness appear first in the inguinal region, and 

 after a time extend downwards; in erysipelas the same local conditions 

 almost invariably originate in the vicinity of the hock, or between that 

 joint and the fetlock, and extend in both directions. There is rarely any 

 exudation from the skin in ordinary lymphangitis, and never any of the 

 vesication, local gangrene and sloughing sores so characteristic of erysip- 

 elas; nor is there any liability to structural changes in the membrane of 

 the mouth and upper air-passages. 



Treatment. — Usually erysipelas runs its course in ten to fourteen 

 days. Fomentations of warm water to the affected parts, and smear with 

 an ointment of: 



Extract of belladonna, 



Lard aa|i. 



The bowels should be opened by a cathartic of from six to eight drachms 

 of powdered aloes with linseed meal and molasses to form one ball. After 

 it has operated give tincture of chloride of iron in two to four drachm 

 doses every four hours. If there is much constitutional disturbance, it 



