620 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Oct., 1908. 



Predisposing Causes. 



In this last pre-disposing cause may perhaps be found the most reason- 

 able explanation of the causation, extension and severity of the present 

 visitation. Although the sudden development of the disease amongst 

 horses in the metropolitan axea was only noticed last week, nevertheless 

 influenza has been prevailing over wide areas in the Northern districts of 

 the State during the whole winter, particularly in the district lying north 

 of Bendigo and between Mitiarr.o and Echuca. Veterinary Officer Cother, 

 who investigated the disease in that part of the State, makes the following 

 observations in his report: — "This year a long dry summer following a dry 

 spring in which there was little growth opened up but a poor winter 

 prospect for animals in the district. The phenomenal rainfall at Christmas 

 time broke up the old grass, and left the pastures bare. There was no 

 autumn spring of grass, for the same downpour germinated the surface 

 seeds but the resulting plants were quickly withered. Feeding by hand 

 had to be resorted to, and, owing to the scarcity and consequent high 

 prices, the use of hay was out of the question to those who had none on 

 hand. The high prices tempted those who had stocks to sell ; consequently 

 the only feed available was straw chaff. The autumn rains upon which 

 the winter feed depended having failed, feeding had to be continued well 

 on in to the winter, which was ushered in by cold rains, accompanied by 

 heavy frosts and fogs. At that time, when it was most important that it 

 should be persisted in, some farmers discontinued feeding. The conditions 

 to which the horses were exposed ill-fitted them to withstand an attack of 

 influenza. Their vitality and recuperative powers had become so lowered 

 that it is not to be wondered at that many rapidly succumbed. That the 

 greatest mortality should have occurred amongst the younger horses may 

 be explained by the fact that never having been previously exposed to the 

 influenza poison they had not acquired the immunitv that older horses 

 had ; and were in an earlv stage of growth, when the demands of the 

 animal economy are largest, and consequently a greater amount of nourish- 

 ment is required to meet those demands. As this was not forthcoming the 

 susceptibilitv of the animal to disease was at its maximum. Older horses, 

 with their more or less acquired immunitv, and with, in most instances, 

 better care, although not so susceptible, have not altogether escaped." 



Effect of Improper Feeding. 



The semi-starvation conditions described by Mr. Cother as contributing 

 to the extension of the disease in country districts have applied also to 

 cltv horses during the past winter. The shortage and consequent high 

 price of horse fodder has led to the use of inferior, adulterated and 

 damaged feed for horses to a greater extent than ever before in mv experi- 

 ence. The effect of this innutritious and deleterious feed has been shown 

 in many wavs, notably in the impoverished appearance of city horses as 

 compared with other years, and in the extraordinary prevalence during the 

 last month or so of a semi-chronic indigestion amongst horses so fed. 

 This latter has been manifested by dryness, scurfiness and itchiness of the 

 skin, and dullness of coat, with a marked tendency to harness chafing and 

 abrasions of the coat and skin, conditions much more in evidence during 

 this than ordinary years. 



The foregoing facts being considered, the virulence and all-round inci- 

 dence of the present epizootic is easy of explanation. The influenza; 



