THE DISEASES OF CATTLE. 37 



of the lung?, the terminations of which are, altered structure, 

 and hydrothorax, hence it differs from the disease termed 

 epizootic Pleuro-Pneumonia, from the fact that it is not infec- 

 tious nor contagious, but sometimes endemic. The treatment of 

 this compound disease, if it can be so called, must be nearly the 

 same as that recommended for acute inflammation of the lungs, 

 with the addition, of " broken doses of nitrate-potassa in water." 



EPIZOOTIC PLEURO-PNEUMONIA. 



This disease, which has at certain periods, prevailed so 

 alarmingly in the old world, is of rather rare occurence in this 

 section of the United States, the only cases that have come 

 under the author's notice, occured among some animals owned 

 by the Hon. D. Webster, some three years prior to the death 

 of the Sage of Marshjield ; he about this period, lost some very 

 fine cattle, and in order to secure himself pecuniarily, he sent a 

 number to Brighton market, which were sold at current beef 

 prices, although some of them were really worth their weight 

 in gold. From the intelligent description Mr. Webster gave 

 me of the mode of attack, primary symptoms, duration of the 

 disease, and its termination, — and at the same time having a 

 couple of subjects laboring under the same difficulty, — I had a 

 fine opportunity to compare notes, and make a correct diagnosis. 

 On expressing my doubts to Mr. W., of the genuineness of the 

 disease, he immediately quoted from the " Farmers Dictionary,'* 

 Youatt, several German and French authors, to sustain his 

 position, and contrary to the experience of our American vets, 

 I was compelled to " knock under," as the saying is, and coin- 

 cide with him, that the cases, as they occurred, were of a purely 

 pleuro-pneumonic character, and since which period my opinion 

 has remained unchanged. In view of furnishing the reader 

 with reliable matter on the subject now under consideration, a 

 selection from the pen of Findley Dun, V. S., " A prize essay y* 

 is offered. 



"The causes of the disease, both immediate and remote, 

 are subjects full of interest and importance ; and a knowledge 

 4 



