MALADIE DU COIT. 
407 
erson, of Hey worth, Ill., which was affected with abundant vesic¬ 
ular eruptions on the genitals, appearing in successive crops, heal¬ 
ing rapidly, and leaving a temporary white cicatrix at the seat of 
the eruptions. 
This horse being at the immediate border of the infected 
area, and relying upon the description of English writers, it was 
very naturally supposed that this horse had been exposed to and 
contracted the disease, but careful investigation showed that he 
had not been exposed, that all mares served by him remained 
sound, and in a few weeks time the horse had completely recov¬ 
ered, and was unquestionably affected with the same benign 
venereal disease as that observed at Kempton. 
Theie has been nothing about the present outbreak to suggest 
benignancy, as over fifty per cent, have already succumbed; a 
number were so worthless that they were bought at your orders, 
foi a nominal price, and killed. .And the few that remain have 
not passed through the malady without jeopardy to their lives, and 
in many cases, their peril is not yet passed. Taking all facts into 
consideration, therefore, it seems quite reasonable to disagree with 
most writeis and agree with Eodloff, that the so-called benign and 
malignant types of maladie du coit are really two wholly distinct 
affections, and admitting the existence of a malignant form only, 
which we choose to denominate equine syphilis, and a wholly 
distinct benign venereal disease, we are better prepared to arrive at 
a safe diagnosis. 
The pathognomic signs in the mare consist then in the appear¬ 
ance, in eight to many days after coitus with an affected stallion, 
of well marked uterine and vaginal irritation, with redness of the 
vaginal mucous membrane, and mucous becoming a muco-purulent 
discharge from the vagina, swelling of the lips of the vulva, 
enlargement, loss of pigment and unnatural dryness of the clitoris, 
- an d loss of pigment along the margin of the vulva, and on the thin 
skin of the vulva, anus, perinseum, under side of tail, etc. 
This depig mentation is peculiar and characteristic, presenting 
a marked distinction between the two venereal diseases. 
In equine syphilis these white spots are not the result of pre¬ 
existent ulcers or erosions, but the depigmentation takes place 
