568 
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PATHOLOGY AND 
quently in association with rheumatism. Purpura hsemorrhagica 
is also another disease with which the more severe forms of scar- 
latina are almost always associated. Scarlatina being, as it is, the 
result of a morbid change in the vital force, which change appears 
to be one peculiarly favourable to the development of purpura, we 
can scarcely expect the severer forms of scarlatina to occur without 
purpura, in some degree or other, manifesting itself. “ The com- 
plications or predominant affections of vital organs or parts con- 
stitute,” says Dr. Copland, “the most important topics in the 
history and pathology of scarlet fever. It may be remarked 
generally as regards them, that their nature and tendency depend 
chiefly on the character of the constitutional disturbance; on the 
states of vital or nervous power, and of vascular action, in con- 
nexion with the condition of the blood; and that they may be 
inflammatory, or actively or passively congested, or either of these 
associated with so remarkable a loss of vital power and cohesion 
as to be rapidly followed by disorganization. In all complications 
occurring in the course of scarlatina or of other specific infectious 
maladies, the local affections should be viewed as prominent lesions 
only, the whole frame being more or less infected or poisoned by 
the animal miasm, rather than as independent morbid conditions 
requiring a special treatment. However inflammatory or however 
congestive the complication or prominent disorder may seem in 
these maladies, it should never be viewed, either pathologically or 
therapeutically, in the same light as inflammation or congestion 
occurring primarily or independently of a specific affection. The 
former has a peculiar character imparted to it by the specific poison, 
lowering and modifying organic nervous power, and contaminating 
the fluids; whilst the latter is devoid of these poisonous influences 
and changes, and of their progressive consequences. Accordingly 
we find that the same means as are successfully employed to re- 
move inflammation, or congestion or effusion, taking place prima- 
rily or independently of a specific infection, would be either quite 
inefficient, or even injurious, if employed against these, when 
supervening as complications or prominent disorders in the course 
of scarlet fever or other infectious maladies. These latter are 
imbued with the constitutional characters of these diseases, and 
partake of the type and diathesis which they manifest.” 
Having thus briefly touched upon the principal features of pur- 
pura and scarlatina, two diseases which hitherto have been strangely 
enough overlooked by veterinary writers of every grade, I might 
now greatly extend my Contribution by entering upon an exposi- 
tion of the facts which I have observed with the microscope with 
reference to the state of the blood in both these affections ; but I 
find that what I have already written so far exceeds the limits 
