TRANSLATIONS FROM FOREIGN PAPERS. 
441 
other than those of inoculation, they are hemispherical, exactly as 
if they had been developed on a subject infected by surrounding 
causes. This explains why, at a certain time, discussions were car¬ 
ried on upon the true form of the varioloid eruption in sheep, in 
which some authors have recognized as a specific character the 
umbilicated condition. This disposition is the effect of inoculation. 
It is not specific to the variola of any species. 
At the point of puncture, immediately and by first intention, 
a cicatrix of the small wound takes place, and, as a consequence, 
an adhesion, somewhat more solid between the dermis and epi¬ 
dermis of the skin, in such a way that the secretion, taking place 
several days later, raises more easily the epidermis round the ci¬ 
catrix than upon it; hence, the formation round this of a circular 
projection, which surrounds it and leaves it a little hollowed—um 
bilicated in form. 
This is why, though it does not make it an essential character, 
pustules of inoculation are umbilicated in the horse ; why also, 
upon individuals of the bovine species, as in man, vaccinal pus¬ 
tules developed from inoculation, are invariably depressed in 
their center for a certain time. Consequently, it is not exact to 
say that this disposition is a distinctive sign of equine pustules. I 
have insisted ou this point because some practitioners might hesi¬ 
tate to make a diagnosis on observing that the character, so-called 
specific, might be missing. 
This stated, I will not go into the clinical description of equine 
variola, as it is well known. If there is a point which may re¬ 
quire, however, some explanation, it is that concerning the eonflu- 
ency of the pustules in some parts of the skin. First M. Bouley, 
and afterwards every one has shown that the eruption is often 
most concentrated at the inferior extremity of the head or upon 
one leg, where it has been taken for grease. At other times it 
lias been found round the external genital organs, and these were 
considered as places of selection. Was this a good interpretation ? 
If the concentration of the pustules took place only on the head 
or around the genital organs, the fine condition, vascularity and 
sensibility of the skin of those parts might account for this fact; 
but the same takes place as often at the inferior extremity of the 
