238 INFLUENZA. 



In the year 1855, this disease made its appearance in the 

 stables of one of the largest omnibus proprietors in Philadel- 

 phia, and some nine horses died in about two weeks. These 

 were supposed to have been foundered, and were treated for 

 that disease. A careful examination, however, by a competent 

 practitioner revealed the true nature of the disease, and under 

 proper treatment the balance of the stock was saved. Shortly 

 after the demand for veterinary surgeons was very great, and 

 while they saved forty-eight out of every fifty cases, the farrier 

 lost almost every case he attempted to treat, principally from 

 his too common practice of bleeding and purging ; thus reducing 

 the system so low that nature became exhausted. 



This disease is called by horsemen pink-eye distemper, and is 

 by many regarded incurable, though the author knows of no 

 disease that more readily yields to proper treatment, and in his 

 own practice he has been eminently successful in accomplishing 

 a cure. It commences with slight watery or thin mucous dis- 

 charges from the nostrils ; matter collecting in the inner corner 

 of the eyes ; eye-lid on the inner side of a very slight or yellow^ 

 ish red color ; pulse feeble, with occasional paralysis of the 

 hind extremities ; sore throat ; excessive debility ; membrane 

 of the nose much reddened ; hard cough ; heart sometimes vio- 

 lently agitated ; flanks heaving; and feet sometimes hot ; thus 

 producing all the symptoms of founder. 



For treatment, never bleed, as in nine cases out of ten, the 

 animal dies. If inflammation runs high, as it sometimes does, 

 use for several days the following : of tartar emetic and nitrate 

 of potash, each two drachms, made into a ball with molasses 

 and given at night. Give also in a pail of water one ounce of 

 spirits of nitre twice a day ; or, if more convenient, tw^o drachma 



