THE MALIGNANT EPIDEMIC. 265 



diseases of these animals might be studied, and the cause and treatment of these 

 periodical pests discovered. From the time that this branch of medical sci- 

 ence began to receive the attention it deserved, these epidemics, if they have not 

 quite ceased, have changed their character, and have become comparatively 

 mild and manageable. As, however, they yet occur, and are far too fatal, w» 

 must endeavour to collect the symptoms, and point out the treatment of them. 



The malignant epidemic was almost uniformly ushered in by inflammation 

 of the mucous membrane of the respiratory passages, but soon involving other 

 portions, and then ensued a diarrhoea, which no art could arrest. The fever, 

 acute at first, rapidly passed over, and was succeeded by great prostration of 

 strength. The inflammation then spread to the cellular texture, and there was 

 a peculiar disposition to the formation of phlegmonous tumours : sometimes 

 there were pustular eruptions, but, oftener, deep-seated tumours rapidly proceed- 

 ing to suppuration. Connected with this was a strong tendency to decomposi- 

 tion, and unless the animal was relieved by some critical flux or evacuation, 

 malignant typhus was established, and the horse speedily sunk. 



The most satisfactory account of one of these epidemics is given us by Pro- 

 fessor Brugnone, of Turin. It commenced with loss of appetite, staring coat, a 

 wild and wandering look, and a staggering from the very commencement. The 

 horse would continually lie down and get up again, as if tormented by colic, and 

 he gazed alternately at both flanks. In the moments of comparative ease, there 

 were universal twitchings of the skin, and spasms of the limbs. The temperature 

 of the ears and feet was variable. If there happened to be about the animal 

 any old wound or scar from setoning or firing, it opened afresh and discharged a 

 quantity of thick and black blood. Very shortly afterwards the flanks, which 

 were quiet before, began to heave, the nostrils were dilated, the head extended 

 for breath. The horse had by this time become so weak that, if he lay or fell 

 down, he could rise no more ; or if he was up, he would stand trembling, stag- 

 gering, and threatening to fall every moment. The mouth was dry, the tongue 

 white, and the breath foetid ; a discharge of yellow or bloody foetid matter pro- 

 ceeded from the nose, and foetid blood from the anus. The duration of the dis- 

 ease did not usually exceed twelve or twenty-four hours ; or if the animal lin- 

 gered on, swellings of the head and throat, and sheath, and scrotum, followed, 

 and he died exhausted or in convulsions. 



Black spots of extravasation were found in the cellular membrane, in the 

 tissue of all the membranes, and on the stomach. The mesenteric and 

 lymphatic glands were engorged, black, and gangrenous. The membrane of 

 the nose and the pharynx was highly injected, the lungs were filled with black 

 and frothy blood, or with black and livid spots. The brain and its meninges 

 were unaltered. 



It commenced in March 1783. The barracks then contained one hundred 

 and sixteen horses ; all but thirteen were attacked, and seventy-eight of them 

 died. The horses of both the officers and men were subject to the attack of it ; 

 and three horses from the town died, two of which had drawn the carts that con- 

 veyed the carcasses away, and the other stood under a window, from which the 

 dung of an infected stable had been thrown out. The disease would probably 

 have spread, but the most summary measures for arresting its progress were 

 adopted; every horse in the town was killed that had had the slightest com- 

 munication with those in the barracks. One horse was inoculated with the pus 

 discharged from the ulcer of an infected horse, and he died. A portion 

 of his thymus gland was introduced under the skin of another horse, and 

 he also died. 



Cause.— The disease was supposed to be connected with the food of the 

 horses. All the oats had been consumed, and the lolium tcmukntum, or awned, 



