GENERAL DISEASES. 329 



when the fluid acquires a purulent character, and even slightly 

 depressed towards the close of the period of suppuration, and 

 when that of dessication is about to commence, which ordi- 

 narily happens towards the ninth or tenth day of the eruption. 

 The dessication and the desquamation occupy an exceedingly 

 variable length of time, and so indeed do all the different 

 periods of the disease. What is the least inconstant, is the 

 duration of the serous eruption, which is about four days, if 

 it hsjs been distinctly produced 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 dessication commences 

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

 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 dessication, the skin remains 

 covered by brown 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 eighteen months 

 old. An elevated temperature singularly favors the erup- 

 tion, and also renders it confluent and of a serous character. 

 A cold atmosphere is unfavorable to the eruption, or even 

 prevents it altogether. Death is almost constantly the result 

 of the exposure of dogs having small-pox to any considerable 

 degree of cold. A moderate temperature is most favorable 

 to the recovery of the animal. A frequent renewal or change 

 of air, the ternperature remaining nearly the same, is highly 

 favorable to the patient ; consequently close boxes or kennels 

 should be altogether avoided. 



