374 A FEW REMARKS ON STRANGLES. 
In some seasons we have influenza prevailing, and at others 
strangles ; but I think that, usually, the causes which induce the 
one set of diseases similarly affect the other; and the grand 
exciting cause, in my mind, is atmospheric influence. I have 
observed that strangles or catarrhal fevers generally appear in 
a cold, wet spring or autumn, with a heavy, muggy condition of 
atmosphere ; and I look upon the state of the weather, as regards 
dryness, as a sort of barometer to the health of young horses : 
thus, it may frequently happen that almost every one of a batch 
of young horses shall be constantly ailing during the first five 
or six months after joining a regiment, while another lot, under 
the same care, feeding, and management, shall scarcely ail any 
thing during a similar period. 
There is an evident tendency, from many causes, for young 
horses to take on these febrile attacks ; and we must look upon 
it as an effort of nature to get rid of something, induced by 
stabling, deleterious to the system; and thus we never expect 
a young animal to thrive and continue to do well until this pre- 
paratory step has been gone through. It is true that, occasion- 
ally, young horses will pass scatheless through the trial ; but 
these instances are rare, and the susceptibility to these diseases 
exists for a considerable period. The depressing effects of at- 
mospheric influence being more especially felt at spring and 
autumn, during moulting season, will induce disease; and so 
firmly do I feel convinced of this, that under certain states of 
atmosphere, finding two or three horses to become ill, I think it 
advisable immediately to be on my guard, by substituting a 
change of diet to such young horses as are plethoric, and looking 
carefully to ventilation, &c. and doubling my watchful care over 
them, in which I find myself rarely deceived. 
It would appear by a reference to the table, that the numbers 
of cases of catarrh and influenza, and low fever, correspond in 
some degree with those of strangles, shewing that these diseases 
seem to be influenced by the same causes. Your reviewer re- 
marks, that, although he does not incline to the opinion of 
the contagiousness of strangles, yet he is aware that many 
others in and out of the profession entertain a different notion, 
and he mentions an extensive dealer in horses (a Mr. Shaw, of 
Acomb, near York), who, firmly impressed with the notion of 
the contagiousness of strangles, is in the habit of procuring a 
distempered horse, and placing him among his young stock of 
horses, that they might take the disease. I have often conversed 
with Mr. Shaw on this matter, and he assures me it has this 
effect. Mr. Shaw does this with a view of his young horses 
having strangles, and by this means getting rid at once of what 
is obnoxious to the system. He has also assured me, that horses 
