AN OUTBREAK OF SCARLET FEVER IN COLORADO. 
253 
stantly with applications of camphorated spirits and glycer¬ 
ine, equal parts, three times a day, or if poultices are imprac¬ 
ticable, apply in the first instance a sharp cantharides blister, 
one part of cantharides to eight parts of lard. As ihe pus in 
the abscess draws to the surface, lance freely and dress with 
carbolic oil, one part carbolic acid to twenty parts olive oil. 
It is most important that the abscess be operated on as 
soon as decided suppuration has taken place. Care, of course, 
must be taken not to cut or injure any of the vessels or nerves, 
and in many cases only a qualified surgeon can perform the 
operation. In some instances no suppuration occurs and this 
is due to the great number of glands previously indurated, 
together with the high fever, causing a distribution instead 
of a concentration of the disease. In such cases the early ap¬ 
plication of the blister is necessary, together with the free 
administration of the fever medicine. When the fever abates, 
to be determined by the use of a clinical thermometer, the 
medicine should be gradually reduced, and the animal allowed 
a liberal supply of whatever food it will eat or drink, except 
corn. During the whole fever keep the stables fumigated 
with burning pine tar, at least once a day, and also allow all 
affected animals to breathe such occasionally. 
This fever has been verv prevalent in Colorado this year, 
there being one hundred cases in Denver during the month 
of May which came under my notice. Great care and effec¬ 
tive surgery are necessary to effect cures without after bad 
effects, but if taken in the early stages the disease readily 
yields to treatment. During the early stages of fever and ab¬ 
scess formation exposure is certain death in a large percent¬ 
age of cases, and the more highlv bred the animals of course 
the greater the loss. Where they can be taken up and cared 
for on the lines laid down, the loss would be very small and 
the after effects of chronic disease in the nasal chambers pre- 
• 
vented in almost every instance. To sum up, the conclusions 
arrived at are: Scarlatina among horses has been prevalent 
in Colorado in many places for several years past. It is lar 
more malignant in character and causes far more losses 
than ordinary distemper, so called. 
