Epidemics. 249 



The heart, liver, and kidneys, especially in the country, 

 suffered almost as much as the lungs and pleura. 



Much attention has been given to this disease, both in the 

 living animal and at the post mortem, years ago ; but having 

 written to a veterinary surgeon in the country, whose know- 

 ledge of the disease and extensive opportunities of witnessing 

 it on a large scale give great weight to everything he says, 

 his description is preferred to that of limited personal 

 experience. 



As the letter of inquiry included one or two further 

 particulars in reference to epidemics, their introduction into 

 the reply given will be easily understood. 



March, 1851. 



Dear Sir, In reply to your inquiry, I beg to inform you 

 that, in nearly all cattle that have come under my notice 

 with what is termed the " disease," the symptoms are 



ist: Droops the head, appears dull, and feeds but seldom; 

 separates from the herd ; a slight but continuous oozing of 

 saliva. 



2nd : The appetite is further diminished, a slight cough, 

 and difficulty of breathing ; milk diminished. 



3rd: The respiration becomes short, hurried, and difficult; 

 the cough is hard, dry, and suppressed. 



The action of the heart is violent and tumultuous, the 

 respired air is hot and moist, the hide is dry and generally 

 sticks to the ribs. Pressure over the regions of the kidneys 

 and liver cause the animal to yield ; in this stage there is a 

 total loss of appetite. 



4th : The respiration, which appears to be now chiefly 

 carried on by the diaphragm and abdominal muscles, 

 becomes still more rapid than in the former stage. An 

 opaque film covers the eyes, which appear starting from 



