67 
CRIMEAN RETROSPECTS. 
By G. Fleming, M.Y.C.E. 
The perusal of your leader in the January number of the 
Veterinarian , induces me to respond to the appeal made by 
you to those of the profession who have spent a portion of 
their time in the Crimea. For this purpose, I have collected 
a few stray notes and observations made during my six 
months’ sojourn in that region. But, as you have justly re- 
marked, it is to those who “ did the work and bore the 
brunt,” in the early part of the campaign, that we must look 
for much of that valuable kind of information not to be ac- 
quired in time of peace, and which the daily increasing de- 
mands of the science, and the natural desire for advancement 
which is, or at least ought to be, a part of our natures, re- 
quires at their hands. 
I have said nothing of that most potent and prevalent of 
all the then existing maladies, mange with debility , for in my 
opinion it is worthy of a separate communication, and its con- 
sideration at this time might recall anything but agreeable 
reminiscences to the memories of those who had much to do 
with it. But, there was one fact which I have observed, and 
which I think too remarkable not to be noticed, as it tends 
to substantiate what many must have witnessed; namely, the 
close analogy which often can be traced between epidemics 
and epizootics, when they make their appearance simultane- 
ously, and arise from the same exciting causes. 
The months of February, March, and beginning of April 
were particularly severe, and I found my number of sick 
animals increase in spite of all my efforts ; for the camp was 
exposed on every side to those cold winds, and Black Sea 
fogs, which were so obnoxious to man and beast, and be- 
sides, the greater part of the animals were picketed in mud, 
and without the least shelter. 
At the foot of the slope, on which stood my sick lines, 
was a graveyard used by the French general hospital, close to 
the English head-quarters, for the interment of their dead. 
At this time, the French troops suffered severely from typhus 
and cholera, for they were young, unacclimatised, badly fed, 
and as badly sheltered. Disease did its sad work amongst 
them, and thousands thus perished ingloriously, never more 
to return to la belle France. 
From early morning until evening, the toil of burial went 
on in this place, but only on particular days ; some days few 
