In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 47 



part, the horse experiences a pricking sensation fre- 

 quently attended with rigour, the system being in a 

 perfectly passive state during this time. I consider the 

 abstraction of the invigorating principle is not confined 

 to the solids, but the vital fluids also. There is a loss of 

 animal heat, the skin is cold, and if it is permitted to go 

 on radiating, the whole system soon becomes thoroughly 

 affected, and the vital powers are thrown prostrate, par- 

 taking somewhat of a state of torpidity. It must not be 

 forgotten that the skin is a perfect network of nervous 

 filaments, and that these nervous filaments have both 

 direct and indirect connection with all the nervous 

 centres, and through them with every vital organ in the 

 body. My own experience has proved to me that influenza 

 is not dependent upon a low temperature of the air. If cold 

 weather was of itself an exciting cause, we should always 

 find the greatest number of fresh cases on the day 

 or the day after an intensely cold day and night, 

 whereas we do not find that to be the case. I have 

 found nearly as many fresh cases during the prevalence 

 of beautifully fine, dry, warm weather, with a clear 

 crisp atmosphere, as in a wet, dull, murky atmosphere. 

 I mean during the whole time the epizootic is prevalent. 

 A long continuance of east winds may possibly contribute 

 s ome of the conditions necessary to its development, 

 but of this I am persuaded whenever epizootic disease is 

 prevalent, the mystery is dependent upon some invisible 

 subtle agency operating from without, and exists in the 

 atmosphere. I do not wish to be understood that the 

 whole force of the attack is instantaneous. Supposing 

 an animal in perfect health, and in tip-top condition, 



