804 BURSATTEE. 



There seems even now some discrepancy of opinion as to the 

 season of the year at which it is most prevalent. We are 

 incHned to think in carefully watched studs it is most fre- 

 quently noticed to manifest itself from March to May, or that 

 season directly preceding the rainy; though to the casual 

 observer doubtless the condition thus advanced is more con- 

 spicuous during the wet season, hence its connection in name 

 with it. 



Found throughout the extent of the empire, it is generally 

 allowed that it obtains more largely in northern India. It is 

 said to be more common among stabled animals than those at 

 pasture, and among those located on the plains than the 

 inhabitants of more elevated situations. Attacking horses in 

 every conceivable condition, opinion appears to favour the 

 idea that the subjects of debilitating influences, such as im- 

 proper dieting, uncleanliness, etc., are the more frequently 

 affected. Thus in well-regulated and carefully supervised 

 establishments it is comparatively infrequently met with, while 

 among the less fortunate portion of the equine community, 

 especially in large towns, it is of common occurrence. So that 

 it is probable the civil practitioner will more frequently be 

 brought into contact with the disease than his military 

 confrere. 



Native and foreign-bred animals contract the disease equally 

 readily, for imported animals become aft'ected a few months 

 after their arrival in the countr}'-. 



The disease is probably peculiar to the horse. Only one 

 case has, to our knowledge, been instanced to the contrary. 

 This, that of a donkey, was quoted by Mr. Spooner-Hart ; but, 

 as hinted by the writer himself, there would appear some 

 reason for suspicion as to the correctness of the diagnosis. 



In its objects of attack we are not aware of the exhibition 

 of any partiality for particular age or sex, and investiga- 

 tion has not yet given us sufficient information to assert or 

 deny the possession of an hereditary tendency; though by 

 some observers it is believed to be characterized by the 

 power of being transmitted from parent to progeny, and they 

 consequently condemn the breeding from bursattee subjects. 



To the practitioner the most important features of the 

 disease are the external manifestations occurring- in connec- 



