CHAPTER XV 



SPECIFIC AND CATARRHAL COMPLAINTS. 



INFLUENZA. 



INFLUENZA is a frequent disease amongst horses, and one 

 which, we regret to say, causes many deaths. Its course, 

 symptoms and treatment are akin to the same disease 

 in man, and to distemper affecting the dog. 



It is constantly present in this and some other countries, 

 but now and again it assumes the form of an epizootic, i.e., 

 widely distributed. 



Spring and autumn are the seasons when the complaint 

 is most prevalent, so that it is probable that the weather has 

 some influence over the distribution of the malady. The 

 infective nature further largely influences its dissemination. 

 The diverse forms assumed by the complaint are considerably 

 influenced by the individual's constitution and its environment. 

 Take for instance two horses attacked with the disease, one of 

 which is situated where the most favourable conditions prevail ; 

 the other surrounded by the very opposite state of aftairs, yet 

 the constitutional stamina of both is, to all appearances, equal. 

 What do we commonly And ? Why, that the horse unfavour- 

 ably situated has the complaint in its worst form, and that it 

 either dies, or its convalescence is impeded through the onset 

 of some other debihtating malady {e.g., purpura), whilst the 



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