176 
Plnh Eye amoiuj Horses in 1890. 
ments of Messrs. Harrison, whose yards for several weeks v/ere filled 
to repletion with carcasses. Horses of every description, under all 
circumstances and conditions of feeding and general management, 
both old and young, have been victims to the epizootic. Large studs, 
however, in populous centres, where many animals are crowded to- 
gether under one roof, with indifferent ventilation and drainage, 
have suffered beyond comparison with those better managed and 
living under more wholesome conditions. 
The existence of the epizootic during the Christmas season 
proved most disastrous to railway and tramway companies, parcel 
contractors, cab proprietors, job masters, and others whose business 
is so largely increased by holiday necessities. Here horses met 
the disease under the most adverse circumstances. Long hours, 
with consequent overwork, fatigue, and debility, do much to predis- 
pose to this, as to all specific fevers, to aggravate symptoms, and to 
bring about serious and fatal complications. Besides, it is rarely 
the case that establishments in populous industrial centres have the 
means of isolating the sick from the healthy ; and, as a result, the 
disorder spreads from horse to horse until all or nearly all become 
its victims. Moreover, the mischief is usually added to when, as 
the result of disablement of some of the stud, others are called upon 
to do extra duty. These overwrought creatures, worn down by 
toil and fatigue, soon become receptive of the virus of the affection, 
and too often succumb to its influence. At such times as Christmas 
in town, and seedtime and harvest in the country, townsmen and 
agriculturists alike are disposed to risk the stud in the exigencies of 
the hour, and to disregard the early indications of disease. Such 
trifling, however, almost invariably adds to the mortality record. 
The form of the disease recently prevailing was singularly free from 
those catarrhal symptoms which are commonly identified Avith influ- 
enza outbreaks. Discharge from the nostrils, soreness of the throat, 
and cough are quite exceptional phenomena in the course of the 
malady ; and the more we see of the disorder, the more are we con- 
vinced that the term "influenza" embraces several febrile afiections 
pathologically distinct from each other. The period of incubation — 
i.e. the time which elapses between the reception of the contagion 
and the manifestation of disease — varies somewhat in different cases, 
but it may be said to range between three and five days. All 
animals are not equally receptive of the disorder : some resist it 
altogether, others yield only after long exposure, and some contract 
it at once. A similar discrepancy is also observed with regard to 
its intensity, duration, and result. In one case it is mild and brief ; 
in another it is severe, proti'acted, and fatal ; while in yet anotlier 
it run^. its course rapidly, and quickly destroys life. Tiiis latter 
characteristic is especially the case where animals have been con- 
tinued in work for a few hours after the onset of the disease. 
In addition to the unfavourable conditions already enumerated, 
horses are predisposed to attack by any sudden change from country 
stables to the vitiated atmosphere of towns. Rarely have animals 
from the country entered the stables of our large firms and horse- 
