ERYSIPELAS 151 



ERYSIPELAS 



This is an inflammatory skin disease which, affects 

 horses occasionally. It is caused by a streptococcus in- 

 fection and is an acute, febrile disturbance. 



Symptoms. Erysipelas is frequently ushered in with 

 a rigor. The temperature rises to 103 degrees F or even 

 higher. Simultaneously with this there develops upon 

 the infected region of the body a diffuse, painful thicken- 

 ing. In two cases which occurred in our practice the 

 infection was on the side of one hip. "Within a few 

 hours after the swelling develops there appear in the 

 area numerous pea-sized vesicles. In another few hours 

 these rupture and discharge a sticky, pale serum. The 

 vesicles now coalesce and are soon covered with a dry, 

 thin scab. In some cases there is great pruritis at this 

 time. 



If the infection is on an extremity there is usually 

 great lameness. In white horses the skin in the infected 

 area is intensely reddened. The swelling and vesicle 

 formation may spread progressively over a large area 

 within a few days, or may limit its activity to the original 

 area of infection. When the vesicles have burst and scab 

 formation has taken place, the process of repair seems to 

 begin immediately under the scab. In a few days the 

 scab lifts off, leaving temporarily bare spots. Later 

 these are again covered with hairs. 



Erysipelas is differentiated from other skin diseases 

 by the force with which it makes its appearance. Its 

 local manifestations appear in rapid order: 



1. Diffuse, painful swelling. 



2. Vesicle formation. 



3. Rupture of vesicles. 



4. Desquamation. 



