SOCIETY MEETINGS. 
91 
exposed part, after first dilating, contract to such an extent as not 
to admit of the passage of the blood eorpuscules—the physiological 
processes necessary to life cannot go on, and the part is destroyed. 
Symptoms .—As a rule horses that are used for business pur¬ 
poses, and spend most of the time in the streets are the sufferers. 
The first symptom noticed is that of lameness—geuerally of one 
of the posterior extremeties. At the same time the leg is noticed 
to be somewhat swollen as far as the hock. The lameness in¬ 
creases, and by the third day after its first appearance the animal 
is unwilling to put the foot to the ground. If examined at this 
time the seat of the injury (generally located in the space be¬ 
tween the ergot and the glomes of the frog) is found to be 
swollen and oedematous, pitting on pressure, and excessively 
painful—the slightest touch causing the animal to throw the leg 
violently outward at right angles with the body. About the fifth 
day the skin is perforated from within outward, and a quantity 
of sero-pnrulent fluid escapes. In a short time a portion of the 
skin surrounding the perforation detaches itself and leaves ex¬ 
posed an irregular cavity sometimes an inch in depth. This cav¬ 
ity slowly fills up by granulations. The treatment is simple, be¬ 
ing directed toward the promotion of the suppurative process, and 
the detachment of the gangrenous tissue. After this has been 
effected the cavity which remains is to be treated like an ordinary 
granulating wound. 
In answer, Dr. Kemp held with poulticing, and considered it 
was due to cold, and consequent loss of vitality. Dr. R. McLean 
questioned, if it was due to cold, and alternation of heat. He 
had seen several very bad cases lately, yet there had been no cold 
weather or salt. He questioned, if the causes were such as laid 
down by the essayist. Iu large stables, only a few horses were 
found to be affected with mud fever. He spoke of one case that 
had come under his notice, of a horse having stood for some time 
in caustic soda and potash, which resulted iu the horse having 
this so-called trouble. 
Dr. W. J. Coates contended, that “ frost bite ” and “ mud 
fever” were here misapplied ; a frost bite was a cause. Erythe¬ 
ma, or mud fever, was a better term. Mud generally on the skin, 
