20G DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



CHAP. XLI. 



EPIZOOTIC OR EPIDEMIC DISEASES. 



[From time to time, in nil ages of the world, diseases of an 

 epidemic, or rather epizootic, character have appeared, and 

 destroyed vast numbers of horses and cattle. 



It will be unnecessary to go back to times of remote an- 

 tiquity, although numerous are the instances that might be 

 adduced from classical authors of the most severe epizootics 

 having extensively prevailed ; and, in all probability, from the 

 absence of draining, and the mai'shy and unhealthy situations 

 of many parts of the then civilised world, these maladies were 

 more virulent in their nature, and more fatal in their conse- 

 quences, than those which have prevailed in modern times. 



"In 1714," says Mr. Youatt in his Lectures, "a malignant 

 epidemic was imported from the Continent, and in the course of 

 a few months destroyed 70,000 head of cattle. In horses, the 

 disease was almost uniformly ushered in by inflammation of the 

 mucous membrane of the respiratory passage, but soon involving 

 other jjortions ; and then ensued diarrhoea, which no art could 

 arrest. The fever, acute at first, soon passed over, and was 

 succeeded by great prostration of strength. The inflammation 

 now spread to the cellular texture, and thei'e was a peculiar 

 disposition to the formation of phlegmonous tumours ; some- 

 times there were pustular eruptions, but oftener deep-seated 

 tumours, rapidly proceeding to suppuration. Connected with 

 this was a strong tendency to mortification ; and, unless the 

 animal was relieved by some critical flux or evacuation, malig- 

 nant typhus Avas established, and the horse speedily sunk." 



Our next account refers to two epidemics related by Gibson, 

 one in 1732, the other two years subsequent ; the first occurring 

 towards the fall of the year, the second towards the spring or 

 summer. The former appears to have been precisely similar to 

 our epidemic catarrh, and attended with considerable nasal dis- 

 charge, and unaccompanied with danger ; wdiilst the latter dis- 

 ease was more fatal in its eflccts, was accompanied with a burning 

 fever, soreness of the skin, loss of appetite, costive bowels, and 

 followed by swelled legs. We recognise in the last nearly all the 

 symptoms of injiuenza, particularly as it presents itself to our 

 notice in warm weather. Gibson treated both these diseases by 



* Epidemic literally signifies a disease attacking numbers of men ; while 

 epizootic refei-s to cattle, and is therefore more correct in this place. They 

 are each derived from two Greek words. 



