• DISEASES OF THE THEOAT. ' 289 



obstinate, sufficiently so to necessitate active and energetic 

 employment of the whole treatment. 



MALIGNANT EPIDEMIC* 



"In 1714, a malignant epidemic was imported from the 

 Continent, and, in the course of a few months, destroyed 

 70,000 horses and cattle. It continued to visit other coun- 

 tries, with but short intervals, for fifty years afterward. Out 

 of evil, however, came good. The continental agriculturists 

 were alarmed by the destruction of their property. The 

 different governments participated in the terror, and veter- 

 inary schools were established, in which the anatomy and 

 diseases of these animals might be studied, and the cause 

 and treatment of these periodical pests discovered. From 

 the time that this branch of medical science began to receive 

 the attention it deserved, these epidemics, if they have not 

 quite ceased, have changed their character, and have become 

 comparatively mild and manageable. As, however, they yet 



occur, and far too fatal, we must endeavor to collect the 4k 



symptoms, and point out the treatment of them. • 



"The malignant epidemic was almost uniformly ushered 

 in by inflammation of the mucous membrane of the respira-- "^ 

 tory passages, but soon involving other portions, and then 

 ensued a diarrhea, which no art could arrest. The fever, 

 acute at first, rapidl}^ passed over, and was succeeded by great, ; ^ . 

 prostration of strength. The inflammation then spread to * * 



the cellular texture, and there was a peculiar disposition to 

 the formation of phlegmonous tumors; sometimes there were 

 pustular eruptions, but oftener deep-seated tumors rapidly 

 proceeding to suppuration. Connected with this was a strong * ^ 

 tendency to decomposition, and, unless the animal was re- 

 lieved by some critical flux or evacuation, malignant typhus 

 was established, and the horse speedily sunk. ^ 



" The most satisfactory account of one of these epidemics is 



*The ravages of this epidemic lorm a highly interesting, though startling, 

 page in the history of veterinary science. The epitome embodied in this sec- 

 tion is from Youatt. 



19 



« 



' 'i 



