596 Anatomy, Physiology r , and Pathology of the 



bedewing the surface with a copious perspiration, which, by its 

 evaporation, tends to regulate the amount of heat by depriving the 

 system of its excess of caloric. 



I might dwell at far greater length on this part of our subject ; 

 but having to speak of an important disease to which the respi- 

 ratory organs are subject, I pass now to its consideration. The 

 name given to this affection by almost universal consent is pleuro- 

 pneumonia. I object, however, to the malady being thus de- 

 signated ; and if my view of its nature be correct, a less appro- 

 priate name could scarcely have been selected. The Xevm pleuro- 

 pneumonia, or pneumo-pleuritis, which has been proposed by 

 some who consider the pleura more especially implicated, would 

 immediately convey to the mind of the medical man that the 

 disease was an inflammatory one, involving the substance of the 

 lungs, with their investing membranes. Although there may not 

 be much in a name, nevertheless it were to be wished that a 

 better one had been adopted for this disease ; as inflammation 

 is not its essential feature, especially at its commencement. An 

 incorrect nomenclature is sure to lead to false conclusions with 

 regard to treatment, and thus the life of the patient will be greatly 

 endangered. 



Prior to our discussing the question of the true nature of this 

 malady, I shall take a rapid view of the epizootics which have 

 visited Europe from the earliest history to .the present time. 

 Mention is frequently made in the pages of Holy Writ of these 

 diseases, and we read that among the plagues of Egypt a griev- 

 ous murrain swept off the cattle. Homer frequently alludes to 

 their ravages in Greece ; and Virgil, Ovid, and other Roman 

 authors, speak of their destructive effects among the cattle of 

 Italy, &c. Of late years these maladies appear to have been on 

 the increase, and within a short period England has been visited 

 by eczema-epizootica, pleuro-pneumonia, and variola-ovina. The 

 prevalence in this country of these particular diseases may certainly 

 be said to be new to the present generation ; but whether they have 

 existed here at a remote period is somewhat doubtful. Believing 

 this matter to be of some importance, we are induced to look into 

 the history of these outbreaks ; and should it appear that there is 

 a reasonable ground for the supposition that pleuro-pneumonia is 

 not altogether new, but that it has long since both visited and 

 quitted our shores, we have thereby a strong reason to hope that 

 it may again disappear from among us. 



About the commencement of the Christian era diseases of this 

 class are mentioned by Columella, who considered that they spread 

 by means of their contagious properties. In the fourth century 

 they are again noticed by Vegetius, who described some of their 

 symptoms, and entertained similar views to Columella with 

 regard to their extension. 



