INFLUENZA OF HORSES 31 



is indisposed, with slight lameness in one of the legs, and until the urine 

 has been examined there is nothing to indicate the nature of the malady 

 from which he suffers. 



A little acid applied to the urine reveals at once the nature of the 

 disease by causing the coagulation and deposit of albumen. 



9. CONTAGIOUS DISEASES 



INFLUENZA OF HORSES 



A low form of catarrhal disease affecting the horse has for a long time 

 been distinguished from common catarrh by the term influenza or dis- 

 temper. It has existed in this country as far back as veterinary history 

 extends, prevailing generally in the spring of the year, reappearing some- 

 times in the autumn. 



Influenza attracted a special attention in 1872, in consequence of an 

 extensive outbreak in the United States, causing enormous loss among horses 

 belonging to the tramway companies. In consequence of the swelling 

 and inflammation of the eyes, which is in many cases one of the symptoms, 

 it acquired the name of " pink eye", but at the time the American 

 veterinary authorities admitted that there was nothing in its character 

 to distinguish it from the old form of influenza, and they ascribed the 

 excessive mortality to the injudicious treatment to which sick animals 

 were subjected. The tramway companies insisted on keeping them at 

 work after the indications of the disease had appeared, with the result 

 which has been referred to. 



The new term " pink eye" was accepted in this country as evidence of 

 the existence of a new disease among horses in the States, and consider- 

 able alarm was created among horse-owners, who realized the risk of 

 importing the disease from America, an event which really occurred, but 

 not until several cases of what was considered to be " pink eye" had been 

 detected in different parts of England. It may be observed here that 

 the swelling and redness of the eye had always been recognized as a 

 symptom in certain cases of influenza, and the older practitioners insisted 

 on this fact when the attempt was made to substitute '' pink eye" for 

 influenza. The popular feeling, however, was too strong for them, and 

 to this day cases of influenza, associated with swelling of the eyelids and 

 redness of the lining membrane, continue to be described as cases of 

 " pink eye". 



