Biological Therapy 



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parently recovered may remain carriers for a considerable 

 period and are thus responsible for the spread of the disease. 



ETIOLOGY. Investigators are not agreed as to the 

 cause of this disease. It is quite generally believed that a 

 filterable virus is a predisposing factor but that the more 

 serious complications and mortality are due not to the virus 

 but to bacteria which act as complicating organisms. 

 These are streptococcus equi, staphylococcus and bacillus 

 equisepticum. 



SYMPTOMS. The period of incubation is from three to 

 eight days and when symptoms are first observed they are 

 quite intense. The temperature is usually higher than 103 

 degrees F. and the pulse becomes rapid, irregular and weak. 

 There is marked inappetence and languor which may 

 progress to prostration. Quite early there is noted a nasal 

 discharge which at first is clear but which becomes creamy 

 and profuse. There is usually a strong moist cough. Con- 

 junctivitis is apparent almost from the start. This may de- 

 velop into a purulent conjunctivitis or keratitis, or may 

 rapidly disappear as improvement occurs. The visible 

 mucous membranes assume a yellowish hue and some 

 oedema and stocking of the limbs may be seen. If pulmonary 

 infection occurs any of the symptoms ordinarily associated 

 with pneumonia will then become apparent. 



TREATMENT. Anti-Infiuenza Serum has proven most 

 efficacious in the treatment of this disease when it is used in 

 the early stages. The serum should be used intravenously in 

 large, frequently repeated doses. Amounts varying from 

 50 to 100 c.c. should be used and this should be repeated each 

 twelve to twenty-four hours until improvement is marked. 

 The use of serum does not eliminate the need for proper 

 nourishment but it does terminate the disease much sooner 

 and with less mortality than occurs under any other treat- 

 ment. 



PREVENTION. Anti-Influenza Serum is used success- 

 fully for prophylaxis. For this purpose ten to thirty c.c. 

 should be injected subcutaneously. Immunity following this 

 treatment is usually of a few weeks' duration and is used 

 extensively when shipping valuable horses. 



Equine Influenza Mixed Bacterin in the hands of many 

 large practitioners has given excellent results in immunizing 

 against influenza. This product contains streptococcus equi 



