PROGRESS OF THE EPIZOOTIC. 147 



escape ; therefore it behooves us to study well the nature of 

 these diseases, wherever they may present themselves. 



The present catarrhal epidemic offers nothing new to those 

 familiar with the descriptions given by veterinary authorities 

 from the earliest periods. A similar affection prevailed in 

 New England in 1841, although not so extensively. In a 

 letter to me by that indefatigable and close observer. Dr. H. I. 

 Bowditch, of Boston, he says, speaking of that epidemic : 

 " We studied it thoroughly, visiting all the stables in the 

 city and learning about the status of at least twelve 

 hundred horses in the various establishments. These nu- 

 merous stables we could classify into three distinct grades, 

 according to their hygienic qualities, and we found very curi- 

 ous results, showing at least in that epidemic the vast value 

 of care in this respect. 



"The first class consists of staljles that were well aired, 

 lighted and dry, and had comfortable quarters generally. The 

 third class were wanting in all these qualities, while in the 

 second class we found all the stables wanting in either one 

 or two of these qualities. We found the following very 

 curious results : In the first or good class, scarcely any 

 horses were affected, or very slightly. In the second, or 

 those wanting in some respects in regard to hygiene, the horses 

 were more generally affected. But the third, or the utterly 

 vile stables, had almost every horse seized, and in some deaths 

 occurred," 



The recent epidemic had its apparent origin in or near Tor- 

 onto, in Canada, about the 9th of October. Thence it spread 

 in three directions. To the north-east to Montreal, where its 

 reported appearance was on the 11th of the same month. To 

 the south-west in the direction of Detroit, in which city it ap- 

 peared on the 15th Oct. To the south-east by way of Buffalo 

 and other cities in western New York, where it arrived on 

 the 18th. It made its appearance in Boston on or about the 

 22d Oct., and in the western part of the State a few days 

 later, whether by way of New York, or by the first of the 

 routes mentioned, east from Montreal, it is difficult to deter- 

 mine. Its general character, in New England at least, has 

 been mild, and not attended by marked fatality, although 

 recently it appears to have taken on complications of a chronic 



