TRANSLATIONS FROM CONTINENTAL JOURNALS. 753 
only a sort of flatness. When the pocks have acquired their 
full development the epidermis which covers them rises up 
and forms a pellicle of a whitish colour ; this pellicle persists 
until the disappearance of the pustule, but becomes hard and 
scabby, and ultimately peels off. This period lasts from four 
to five days. 
We may expect that the extent of the eruption being com¬ 
pleted, the general symptoms abate, and that then begins in 
the pustules (under the epidermis which covers them) the 
secretion of a fluid of a peculiar character, which is the 
contagious virus of the pox. While this is going on the 
tumours become white and soft; the serum is of a yellow 
colour, very clear, almost transparent, and is seen to ooze 
from the top of the tumours on removing the small pellicle. 
The virus is disseminated through the whole substance of the 
skin where tumours exist, and caustically destroys the texture, 
which causes an accumulation of a whitish substance, some¬ 
times appearing in the form of flakes. This material w'hich is 
at times greenish, has been erroneously taken for pus. Thus 
the virus, which in general is not very abundant, is at first 
limpid, afterw'ards slightly coloured, and finally white. The 
secretion does not last more than two or three days; if in¬ 
terrupted, the pustule becomes dry, the malady remains 
stationary, or else takes a fatal course. The duration of this 
period is from four to five days. Swelling of the head, dis¬ 
charge from the nose, and other complications, take place 
from the fifth to the fourteenth day from the time of the 
eruption. The last period is when the pustule bursts its 
envelope and forms an ulcer, which leaves an irregular 
cicatrix. But all the pustules do not break; there are some 
in which the secretion becomes suspended or completely 
suppressed, and they disappear as if by resolution. Des¬ 
quamation succeeds todesiccation. As soon as this commences, 
the fever, the swelling of the head, the nasal discharge, and 
all the other symptoms, diminish, and soon disappear; the 
patient recovers his appetite and his usual health, but it is 
prudent to keep him for some time longer from healthy 
individuals. This last period has a longer duration than 
the others, and it takes sometimes from ten to twelve days 
before it is complete^ It varies according as the eruption 
has been more or less rapid, or the greater or less number 
of pustules. But it is not always that these periods follow r 
in this regular order; on the contrary, there are often great 
variations, depending on the w eather, the season of the year, 
the condition of the animals, &c. When this irregu¬ 
larity takes place at the outbreak of the malady it assumes 
