282 THE PRESENT EPIDEMIC AMONG CATTLE, &c. 
laxative medicine, of which, in such cases, salts are as good as 
any), and the antimony and nitre continued in full doses twice 
a-day, until the strength and frequency of the pulse are reduced . 
In some cases you will find the carbonate of ammonia a useful 
tonic, and in others wine, ale, or porter, will be required. When 
much effusion has taken place in the chest, it will be advisable to 
try tapping. You will form your diagnosis of the necessity of 
this by percussion, or the use of the stethescope, or, what is the 
same thing, applying the ear to the sides. The other symptoms 
you have had an opportunity of witnessing, and the operation fol- 
lowed up by the administration of tonics combined with diuretics. 
On the present Epidemic among Cattle. 
By Mr . Joseph Carlisle, V.S . , Wigton, Cumberland. 
My dear Sirs, — Allow me the honour of addressing you on the 
present epidemic amongst cattle, a disease, from its mortality, of 
material importance. It has made its appearance in this part of 
Cumberland, and threatens to be a most formidable pestilence. 
As sure as the animal is attacked, so sure is its doom sealed. 
For many a century the nature of epidemics has engaged the in- 
quiry of the medical man and the philosopher, but as yet we re- 
main in a complete cloud of darkness. We may pretend to judge 
of their origin from the effect which they have on the animal body, 
and spin out a plausible theory : but how intricate and undefined 
are our conjectures ! — and we have stated almost all we know 
when we admit that most of the infectious diseases have their 
origin from some peculiar compositions of gas or gases pervading 
the atmosphere, or some aerial poisons by which it becomes con- 
taminated, and which are formed, possibly, from the miasmata 
which have escaped from the bowels of the earth during some vol- 
canic eruption or deeply seated commotion, the result of which is 
a contagious poison. 
We may form a thousand strange conjectures, but I hope the 
time is not far distant when the real and not speculative causes 
of epidemic diseases will be practically proved. Then, and not 
until then, shall we be able to combat and fairly beat this for- 
midable enemy out of the field. 
Our epidemics assume singular and unaccountable types. 
Every new visit presents different symptoms, according to its in- 
tensity, or the organ or organs that are attacked or involved : 
we are, consequently, compelled to vary our treatment according 
to its nature and the effects produced. We may unanimously agree 
