Preface. vii 



When possible, I have given translations of the passages in the 

 several histories, following the ipsissima verba as closely as the sense 

 would permit ; when the descriptions have proved too long for complete 

 transcription, a brief abstract has been made ; and when, at a later 

 period, writings become greatly multiplied, an enumeration of the 

 principal authors and the titles of their books has been given, in addition 

 to a notice of the special maladies they have described. In this respect, 

 Heusinger's excellent work has proved an invaluable source of 

 reference.^ 



I have always been impressed with the idea that a history of many 

 of the ' murrains ' that have travelled across countries, often in company 

 with or preceding human pestilences, would prove a most valuable aid 

 to the student of comparative pathology, and be of service to the busy 

 practitioner whose leisure is more limited ; while to the physician, agri- 

 culturist, or statesman it might serve as a guide for reference whenever 

 the diseases of animals shall occupy a larger share of scientific and public 

 interest than at present. Acting on this impulse, the task was com- 

 menced, and nothing but the importance and interest that appeared to 

 gather round it as I proceeded could have compensated for the labour 

 required. Unsatisfactory as the result now appears to me, yet I trust it 

 will be found acceptable and useful to those for whom it was written, 

 as a treatise on a subject of national importance. 



In considering the extent and the many difficulties attending such a 

 work, I may say in the words of Pliny, quoted by Paulet, ' Res ardua, 



vetustis novitatem dare, novis autoritatem, obscuris lucem, 



fastiditis gratiam, dubiis fidem, omnibus vero naturam et natura suae 

 omnia.' 



^ In addition to this and the other works mentioned above, the following also 

 treat of epizootic diseases, tliough generally in a didactic manner, and are seldom, 

 if at all, noticed in the body of this treatise. Wollsiein. Das Buch von den 

 Viehseuchen. Wien, 1811. Werner. Handbuch von den Seuchen des Viehs. 

 Breslau, 1798. Bojanus. Anleitung zur Kenntniss und Behandlung dcr wichtig- 

 sten Seuchen unterdem Rindvicli und Pferden. Wilna, 1830. Plank. Grundriss 

 der Epizoonologie oder Thierseuchenlehre. Munchen, 1833. 



