General Diseases. 353 



and guarded from all friction. If the general character of 

 the pustules is considered, it will be observed that, while 

 some of them are in a state of serous secretion, others will 

 only have begun to appear. 



" The eruption terminates when desiccation commences 

 in the first pustules ; and, if some red spots show them- 

 selves at that period of the malady, they disappear without 

 being followed by the development of pustules. They are 

 a species of abortive pustules. After the desiccation, the 

 skin remains covered by ferown spots, which, by degrees, 

 die away. There remains no trace of , the disease, except 

 a few superficial cicatrices, on which the hair does not grow. 



" The causes which produce the greatest variation in the 

 periods of the eruption are, the age of the dog and the tem- 

 perature of the situation and of the season. The eruption 

 runs through its different stages with much more rapidity 

 in dogs from one to five months old, than in those of 

 greater age. I have never seen it in dogs more than i8 

 months old. An elevated temperature singularly favours- 

 the eruption, and also renders it copfluent and of a serous 

 character. A cold atmosphere is unfavourable to the erup- 

 tion, or even prevents it altogether. Death is almost con- 

 stantly the result of the exposure ofdogs having small-pox 

 to any considerable degree of cold. A moderate tempera- 

 ture is most favourable to the recovery of the animal. A 

 frequent renewal or change of air, the temperature remain- 

 ing nearly the same, is highly favourable to the patient ; 

 consequently, close boxes or kennels should be altogether 

 avoided. 



" I have often observed that the perspiration or breath of 

 dogs labouring under variola emits a very unpleasant odour. 

 This smell is particularly observed at the commencement 

 of the desiccation of the pustules, and when the animals are 

 lying upon dry straw ; for the friction of the bed against 

 the pustules destroys their pellicles and permits the purulent 

 matter to escape — and the influence of this purulent matter 



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