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CENTRAL VETERINARY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
tion of organs so commonly witnessed in influenza. In the opinion 
of Mr. Gowing, from atmospheric or other causes, the blood is the 
seat of primary disease, from which follows the nervous depression 
and resulting train of signs characteristic of the malady. 
Mr. Mavor contended that the latter would decide the existence 
of a blood poison, which he was not prepared to admit. He, how- 
ever, thought it possible that a poison might be present, yet not 
affect the blood as to produce the depression referred to. In his 
opinion the nervous system is first affected, though the causes and 
modus operandi could not be explained. He argued from the ana- 
logous results of a blow or the effects of cold, which were evident 
and undoubted, but not capable of explanation. 
Mr. W. Hunting said he could not admit Mr. Mavor’s argument 
without comment. Under such a view, the presence of salines in 
the blood, sufficient to induce inflammation of the kidneys, would 
be included as a blood poison. He (Mr. Hunting) still believes in- 
fluenza to be nothing more than simple fever of a non-contagious 
and non-infections type, and, with Mr. Gowing, that the first causes 
are in the blood, due to the presence of certain matters which should 
be expelled, but, from an intervention to the action of organs, are 
detained, and proving antagonistic to orderly functions, derange 
the nervous system. His view is that the secretory organs are first 
affected. 
Mr. A. Broad said, in referring the action of the cause first upon 
the blood, the atmosphere may be considered to produce it ; but if 
the primary derangement of the nervous system is acknowledged, 
the cause may be one of an electrical character. 
The Secretary said he was desirous of correcting an impression 
which had evidently entered the minds of Mr. Mavor and others 
absent from last meeting. The early prostration noticed in influenza 
was the first sign quoted in his paper, being the most prominent 
and unmistakable from all others. The cause also received an ex- 
tended share of consideration, which also formed a salient point in 
the after debate, giving rise to a very satisfactory discussion. In 
his mind, the causes of the marked depression were clearly made 
out, and we need but go back to the principles of physiology to 
obtain abundant data for their origin. The functions of the skin 
are not confined to the elimination of fluids with salines in solution, 
and other substances in combination of a like nature, but those of 
a gaseous nature are abundantly expelled, as carbonic acid, sulphu- 
retted hydrogen, &c. Nitrogen, in the form of urea, with lactic 
acid, are also abundantly transuded, and when an impervious coat- 
ing is put over the skin, the retention of these materials proves the 
death of the animal. Shepherds practise this when they tranfer 
the skin of one lamb to the body of another to cause the ewe to 
adopt it as her own. Seeing these facts, and also acknowledging 
the action of cold in suppressing cutaneous action, as well as during 
the existence of a continued damp, foggy atmosphere, inimical to 
the proper function of mucous membranes and respiration, as well 
as other organs, all of which were intended by nature for more 
