This disease is brought on by all the causes that are apt to excite inflammation, such as injuries of all kinds, the external application of stimulants, exposure to cold, and obstructed perspiration; and it may likewise be occasioned by humours generated within the body, and thrown out on its surface. In slight cases where it attacks the extremities, it makes its appearance with a sensation of heat, accompanied by roughness, pain, and redness of the skin, which becomes pale when the finger is pressed upon it, and again returns to its fiery hue when the pressure is withdrawn. There prevails some fever, and the patient is hot, thirsty, and restless. If the attack is mild, these symptoms will continue only for a few days, the surface of the part affected will become dry and yellow, and the scarf skin (or outer skin) will fall off in scales; but this complaint appears more frequently in the form of small vesicles, or blisters, containing a thin fluid. In some instances the fluid is of a different consistency, and instead of escaping when the blister is broken, it adheres to, and dries upon the skin. In unfavourable cases, these blisters sometimes degenerate into very obstinate ulcers, which now and then become gangrenous. This, however, does not frequently happen, for although it is not uncommon for the surface of the skin and the blistered places to appear livid, or even blackish, yet this usually disappears with the other symptoms of the disorder. No remission of fever takes place on the appearance of the vesicles; and when the complaint is not of a dangerous tendency, the inflammation and fever cease gradually without any evident crisis. During these symptoms (fever and inflammation) it will be proper to administer aperient medicines, and nothing, perhaps, suits the purpose better than the old-fashioned black draught. The external application of Goulard’s Lotion will allay heat and irritation very successfully. As erysipelatous fevers often terminate when profuse perspiration can be induced, the patient must drink freely of tea, bran tea, or warm barley water: and this is a necessary part of the treatment, which must never be neglected. The vesicles must be kept lightly covered with pure, unadulterated wheat flour; where the inflammatory symptoms run high, the diet must consist of light nourishing food, such as sago, arrow-root, bread pudding, and such like things; but in those cases where symptoms of irritation prevail, a more generous diet, such as animal broths, ought to be allowed.