DISEASES AMONG HORSES IN THE CRIMEA. 263 
brother, and others, look on “ as a primary substantive 
affection. ” 
I am, &c., 
John Gamgee. 
16, Upper Woburn Place ; 
April, 1856. 
DISEASES AMONG HORSES AND CATTLE IN 
THE CRIMEA. 
By F. de Fair Elkes, M.R.C.Y.S., Depot, Baljik, 
Black Sea. 
My dear Professors. — The performance of severe 
duty alone must plead my excuse for not, ere this, penning 
you a few lines. I was, directly I arrived in Buyukdere, 
(the then head cavalry quarters), appointed to the medical 
charge of a depot just formed here, and since my arrival, I 
have been scarcely able to find a leisure moment. There 
were 490 horses here when I came, forty-six of which were 
at once put by me into a “ temporary hospital.” Since then, 
the number has been increased to nearly 1 100, and I have now 
157 cases under treatment, the majority of which have <c sore 
backs;” and such backs as drew from the commanding 
officer here the declaration, that, in his opinion, “ most of 
them would never bear saddle again.” They were really in a 
deplorable condition. Neglect during transit, and the con- 
tinuance of the exciting cause, producing terrible ravages in 
both bone and ligament ; and thus entailing much trouble 
during treatment. In many cases, the removal of the tips of 
the dorsal spines was necessary, as also the detaching of 
portions of the ligaments of the muscles attached to the 
spinous and transverse processes of the dorsal vertebrae, as 
anteriorly the trapezius, and posteriorly, the latissimus et 
longissimus dorsi ; also the spinalis dorsi muscles. The cause 
of these sore backs is the surcingle being very tight. This 
first irritates, and then inflames the part, when a tumour 
forms ; and, as a matter of course, suppuration follows. 
During all these stages the pressure is constant, many of the 
poor animals having to carry a man ; while the half trot-like 
canter they compel them to proceed at, must necessarily 
increase the torture of the animal. The continuance of this 
for many days will enable you to imagine their state when 
we receive them. Hot fomentations used primarily, followed 
by cold lotions, with mild escharotics and disinfectants, such 
as Sol. Cupri Sulph. dil., vel Arg. Nit. dil., with the addition 
