1 98 DISEASES eLAss II. 1. 3. 6. 



two with four grains of calomel; with mucilaginous subacid di- 

 luents; and warm steam occasionally to alleviate the cough, 

 finished the cure. 



The catarrhus contagiosus is a frequent disease amongst horses 

 and dogs; it seems first to be disseminated amongst these ani- 

 mals by miasmata diffused in the atmosphere, because so many of 

 them receive it at the same time; and afterwards to be commu- 

 nicable from one horse or dog to another by contagion, as above 

 described. These epidemic or contagious catarrhs more fre- 

 quently occur amongst dogs and horses than amongst men; 

 which is probably owing to the greater extension and sensibility 

 of the mucous membrane, which covers the organ of smell, and 

 is diffused over their wide nostrils, and their large maxillary and 

 frontal cavities. And to this circumstance may be ascribed the 

 greater fatality of it to these animals. 



In respect to horses, I suspect the fever at the beginning to be 

 of the sensitive, irritated, or inflammatory kind, because there is 

 so great a discharge of purulent mucus; and that therefore they 

 will bear once bleeding early in the disease; and also one mild 

 purgative, consisting of about half an ounce of aloe, and as much 

 white hard soap, mixed together. They should be turned out to 

 grass both day and night for the benefit of pure air, unless the 

 weather be too cold, (and in that case they should be kept in an 

 open airy stable, without being tied,) that they may hang down 

 their heads to facilitate the discharge of the mucus from their 

 nostrils. Grass should be offered them, or other fresh vegeta- 

 bles, as carrots and potatoes, with mashes of malt, or of oats, and 

 with plenty of fresh warm or cold water frequently in a day. 

 When symptoms of debility appear, which may be known by the 

 coldness of the ears or other extremities, or when sloughs can be 

 seen on the membrane, which lines the nostrils, a drink consist- 

 ing of a pint of ale with half an ounce of tincture of opium in it, 

 given every six hours, is likely to be of great utility. 



In dogs I believe the catarrh is generally joined with symp- 

 toms of debility early in the disease. These animals should be 

 permitted to go about in the open air, and should have constant 

 access to fresh water. The use of being as much as may be in 

 the air is evident, because all the air, which they breathe, passes 

 twice over the putrid sloughs of the mortified parts of the mem- 

 brane, which lines the nostrils, and the maxillary and frontal 

 cavities; that is, both during inspiration and expiration; and 

 must therefore be loaded with contagious particles. Fresh new 

 milk, and fresh broth, should be given them very frequently, and 

 they should be suffered to go amongst the grass, which they some- 

 times eat for the purpose of an emetic; and if possible should 



