OF THE OX. 175 



apthous fever, and the " charboneux" typlms ; 

 but, as we have just said, we will mention by- 

 and-by their chief characteristics. 



Everyone is anxious, and natural indeed is 

 that anxiety, to know what this epizootia will 

 become what will be its course; how long 

 it will last ; whether it will extend its ra- 

 vages over the whole extent of the three 

 kingdoms ; and if, in fine, it will invade all 

 Europe. 



To answer in a precise manner these ques- 

 tions would be a difficult task ; for who 

 amongst us can assign at present any definite 

 course to the atmospheric variations ? and yet 

 they have a genuine influence on the progress 

 of the epizootia. On the other hand, the 

 measures which have been taken hitherto to 

 confine the contagion to its different foci, have 

 unhappily proved almost ineffectual, but it 

 may be hoped that, assisted by experience, we 

 shall be able to resist the evil more effectually, 

 and check its propagation. 



If the atmospheric conditions and the pre- 

 ventive measures could not modify the spread 

 of the distemper, we should have reason to 



