400 PRINCIPLES OF VETERINARY SURGERY 



by no appreciable trouble, and the subcutaneous inocula- 

 tion of the virus was without results in the immunized sub- 

 jects. The immunity was still real after thirty days. 



SYMPTOMS.— The Horse.— The disease begins two 

 or three days after an accident or operation, without a sin- 

 gle special sign to announce its approach. It is manifested 

 by local and general symptoms of exceptional gravity. 



1. Local Symptoms. — A hard and advancing cedemat- 

 ous engorgment makes its appearance at the periphery of 

 the wound responsible for the infection. Very painful at 

 the beginning, it becomes less and less as it gradually ex- 

 tends. It radiates in every direction, up, down, right and 

 left, and it remains sensitive only in the peripheric regions 

 which constitutes its zone of extension. The central part 

 becomes cold and painless, and can be attacked with a 

 bistoury or cautery without provoking the least movement 

 of defense on the part of the animals. An incision into the 

 skin is followed by a flow of pus that dispels a stinking 

 odor. The muscles laid bare reflect tints of brown, violet 

 and black and have lost their tenacity and tear without re- 

 sistance. The areolar tissue is infiltrated with a frothy 

 lemon-colored serum. The blood vessels are either empty 

 or else filled with a species of black, fetid pap. 



In the majority of cases nothing can stop the extension 

 of the engorgement. When it begins at the shoulder it 

 advances on both sides of the neck, head, chest, breast and 

 girth ; and in the pendent parts it assumes frightful dimen- 

 sions. It gives the patient the appearance of an attack of 

 purpura hsemorrhagica. The wound from which the dis- 

 ease originated is black and blue ; suppuration has ceased 

 if the wound is old, and the products discharging are stringy, 

 yellowish or bloody, bubbling and fetid. 



2. General Symptoms. — The preceding local modifica- 

 tions are accompanied by exceptionally grave general 



