No. 1.] M'EACHRAN — EPIZOOTIC INFLUENZA. 47 



The digestive organs did not show signs of any special disease, 

 with the exception of the liver, which was much congested and 

 easily broken up. The vessels of the brain and cord were 

 slightly congested, and the heart invariably filled with large 

 coagula of black grumous blood. The tissues generally were 

 soft and flaccid, and decomposition set in very shortly after 

 death. 



The blood showed the most marked signs of disease. Its 

 colour instead of being scarlet was almost black, and the separa- 

 tion of the serum from the clot was very incomplete. The white 

 corpuscles were found to be much larger and much more nume- 

 rous than in healthy blood ; while the red were small, irregular 

 in outline, and not collected in meshes of the plasma. The lat» 

 ter, moreover, were of a very light colour. We can at once see 

 that blood in such a condition is incapable of nourishing and 

 purifying the tissues. 



When examined with a high magnifying power, forms could 

 be detected, of which Mr. McEachran says: " Whether these 

 are disease germs, or the products of the action of germs still 

 more minute, on the vital fluid and the tissues through which it 

 passes, I am not prepared to say." 



Treatment. — In diseases of this class depletion ought not to be 

 practised. The first point to be attended to is a supply of pure 

 air ; the stables should accordingly be thoroughly ventilated and 

 drained, and carbolic disinfectants used. The efficient action of 

 the several emunctories should be encouraged, — in the case of 

 the skin by cleanliness and increased clothing, in that of the 

 bowels by laxative food, and in that of the kidneys by saline 

 diuretics. The stable should have a temperature of about 65*^ 

 F., and hot mucilaginous drinks immediately provided. 



Sulphite of soda has a beneficial action upon the blood. Some 

 of the salts of potash, especially the nitrate, have also proved 

 useful. Chlorate of potash makes a good wash for the throat, 

 and bromide of potassium a still better one. The throat, and 

 also the sides of the chest, when pleuritic symptoms are promi- 

 nent, should be mildly blistered. Ordinary ammoniacal liniment 

 may be used for this purpose. The nostrils should be frequently 

 sponged with warm water containing carbolic acid; when the 

 discharge was glutinous and obstructed the breathing, steaming 

 the head proved beneficial. 



After the third day tonics and stimulants were required.. 



