ERYSIPELATOUS CELLULITIS. 
In May 1859, my attention was called by Mr. Drury to a chestnut gelding about 
twelve years old, a trotter recently purchased in Maine ; on the tail was found an open 
sore discharging pus which was quite offensive to the smell. 
The foreman stated that the animal had been bitten by another horse, the part 
was dressed and was healing rapidly. In three days, about three inches above was found 
a swelling which in a short time discharged pus similar to the other, after which another, 
until seventeen were present. O11 the tenth of June there was pointing on the right side 
of the anus; evidently an abscess had formed within and as the animal was greatly de¬ 
bilitated, the owner was advised to send him into the country. On the twelfth he was 
walked to my place, and was so weak when he arrived that he staggered; soon after 
the indications were that the abscess should be opened, which was done; a considerable 
quantity of pus escaped, a whalebone probe was. passed about ten inches when there 
appeared to be an obstruction. 
After describing the case to a distinguished surgeon of this city, he gave as his 
opinion that it was erysipelatous inflammation of the cellular tissue, and advised as 
treatment, a liberal supply of food, whiskey twice a day and to inject the fistula twice 
a day withTr. Iodine, this advice was followed, the animal gained rapidly in strength 
and appetite, eating a peck of oats daily. 
About the 2oth of May a swelling appeared above, near the centre of the right 
side of the pelvis, in the region of the saero sciatic ligament, the horse soon became 
depressed, lost his appetite, and the pus ceased to flow from the opening by the side of 
the anus. 
The enlargement before mentioned rapidly increased; as it was evident that a 
large quantity of pus was present, I opened it where the pointing was most prominent. 
From the situation it was impossible for the cavity to empty itself, consequently a 
guttapercha tube was inserted into the opening while the pus was discharging, the tube 
acting as a syphon, the cavity was then injected with iodine; this treatment was con¬ 
tinued about three weeks, the amount of pus evacuated gradually decreasing from one 
and one-half pounds to two or three ounces. The appetite increased, in fact there was 
a general improvement, except, occasionally a few drops of pus escaped from the open¬ 
ing by the side of the anus; there was no evidence that the horse was not entirely well. 
In the latter part of September, he was daily led on the street, would trot fast and 
without any restricted action. I should have added above that he was turned out to 
grass for a few hours daily, getting a good feed of grass. 
On the gth of October, a bright sunny morning, he was as usual turned out; soon 
after the wind changed and came from the east. He was probably out about an hour; the 
next morning he was found to be in severe pain, straddled behind in walking. Diagnosis— 
Nephritis—Opium was given and repeated from time to time as necessary, which 
