334 INFLUENZA 



The fact that the lesions are so much exposed renders the dis- 

 ease especialh- favorable for topical applications. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE VIII. 



1 . Early stage of membrane foiinalioti in tlie throat of a pigeon. 



2. A section from an advanced stage in wizich the mucosa is covered 

 loith a thick grayish necrotic exudate. 



3. A tater stage 'where the exudate has sloughed. 



RKFERENCES. 



T. MooRE. A preliminary investigation of diphtheria in fowls. 

 Bulletin No. S. U. S. Bureau of Animal Industrv. 1895. 

 2. Salmon. The diseases of poultrj'. 1899. p. 216. 



INFLUENZA. 



Synonyms. Epizootic catarrhal fe\-er ; epizootic catarrh; 

 horse distemper ; pinl^ eye ; mountain fever ; shipping fever. 



§ 251. Characterization. Influenza is an acute infec- 

 tious disease characterized by a rise of temperature and a ca- 

 tarrhal condition of one or more of the mucous membranes, 

 more especiall}' of the head. One or more of tlie internal 

 organs may become affected. It usually appears in epizootic 

 form. It is a disease of horses although asses and mules are 

 susceptible and a few cases are reported of its being transmit- 

 ted to man and to dogs. 



Influenza is a generic term employed to designate a large 

 variety of symptoms. A somewhat careful analysis of its mani- 

 festations suggests that possibly it includes a number of etiolog- 

 ically distinct diseases i. e. morbid conditions brought about by 

 different causative factors. The term has long been employed 

 to designate a considerable variety of equine epizootics the in- 

 dependence of which could not be established. The disease, 

 as it is seen in the horse, suggests further that possibly it is in 

 its beginning, a general affection because of the early rise of 

 temperature and that later in its course it becomes, to a 

 limited extent, localized. At present, influenza is restricted 

 to groups of symptoms and lesions in the horse that are not 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



