‘230 
INFLUENZA IN THE METROPOLIS. 
their zealous co-operation. One thing we hope for certain, and 
that is, that those of our profession whom good fortune has placed 
in positions rendering it unlikely, or next to impossible, for them or 
their families to require aid from such a fund, will not, on that 
account, withhold their support; but, as Mr. Baker says, “ may 
(and will) spare a trifle to contribute to the comfort of those 
less fortunate than themselves.” We are glad Mr. Baker thinks, 
with us, that the day of the general meeting — the first Monday 
in May — will afford a fitting opportunity for bringing the affair 
forward. We trust that he will be prepared to do so. Then will 
the sentiments of — we hope — a large body of the profession be 
manifested : should which turn out propitious, nothing will remain 
but to form a Committee for the purpose of considering matters in 
detail. For our own part, we shall continue to do all in our power 
towards carrying into execution, what appears to us to be, so 
happily conceived a scheme of veterinary philanthropy. 
South-westerly as the wind for some considerable time, with 
but few and short interruptions, has been, blowing up cold showers 
of rain and occasionally hail, it has brought with it, or stirred up 
among our horses in the metropolis, the spring influenza. Every day 
almost has, for some three weeks past, been adding to the numbers 
attacked ; but at the time we are writing, the epidemic would seem 
to be at its height, there being, we believe, at the present moment, 
more horses suffering from it than at any antecedent period. 
The attack* is frequently ushered in by a shivering fit, succeeded 
or accompanied by a paroxysm of “blowing;” sometimes both oc- 
curring, either simultaneously or in succession, sometimes neither 
being observable. During the blowing or excited state of the respi- 
ration — evidently nervous in its character — we may frequently no- 
tice a tremulous eversion or curling of the upper lip. The rigor, 
in general, does not last long, though the blowing will commonly 
continue for some hours, ultimately subsiding into a hot stage, dur- 
ing which we observe the accession of fever, with dejection — a 
dulness or heaviness amounting in some cases almost to a degree 
of torpor. This state gradually resolves into febrile catarrh, of 
* The horse having been noticed, perhaps, to cough for a day or two, or 
more, antecedently. 
