*Confluent Smallpox.*--In this form the vesicles coalesce or run
together, forming variously shaped and sized blisters, which as
pustulation proceeds are usually ruptured in some manner and become
infected, forming large, thick scabs with extensive ulceration
underneath. The inability to properly cleanse such cases causes a
very fetid odor to be given off and makes the patient an exceedingly
difficult one to treat.
In the mild confluent form the disease is similar to the discrete form
only that several lesions coalesce. In the severe confluent form the
coalescence is extensive and large blisters are formed. The swelling
about them is intense, and with the extensive sepsis the patient
rarely survives. The swelling of the face and extremities is sometimes
enormous, and the suffering is so severe as to make death a welcome
visitor.
Confluent smallpox runs a course similar to that of the other forms,
except that it is not as rapid as the third and is usually more severe
than the first.
*Hemorrhagic Smallpox.*--This is recognized as the malignant form
of variola, and is rapidly fatal in most cases. It runs its course
precipitately, and at times most unexpectedly,--sometimes killing the
patient in a few hours and in other cases not completing its career
until the fourth or fifth day. Hemorrhages may come on suddenly and the
patient expire before any rash appears. In one case an efflorescence
appeared and so closely resembled scarlet fever that it was mistaken
for it. Suddenly hemorrhages set in, and within six hours the patient
was dead. There was a question at the time as to whether the case was
malignant scarlet fever or malignant smallpox. Later a room-mate came
down with a typical case of smallpox and helped to clear the doubt. The
hemorrhage usually occurs as the disease changes from vesiculation into
pustulation.
The severity of the hemorrhagic form of the disease is shown by the
rapidity with which it passes through the various stages. Macules
appear, and within a few hours rapidly change into papules, which
almost as rapidly change into pustules; and before pustulation is
complete hemorrhage occurs, and death quickly follows. It is not
unusual in these cases for the disease to run its course in from
twenty-four to thirty-six hours. In many, severe constitutional
symptoms mark the onset, hemorrhages occur immediately, and death
results before the rash appears. The hemorrhages are from the mucous
membrane of the eyes, nose, and mouth, and from the anal, vaginal,
and urethral orifices, the membrane swelling enormously. Hemorrhage
occurring in the skin causes it to become raised and of a livid purple
or bluish tint. The eyes seem to bulge as if about to drop from the
orbital cavity. On the abdomen the hemorrhage is beneath the skin,
causing raised lesions with a sharp border and a flattened top,
feeling dense and firm to the touch. In the peritoneum the hemorrhages
are extensive.
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