286 THE PRESENT EPIDEMIC AMONG CATTLE, &c. 
rapid sinking and speedy death of the animals ; for the life of the 
poor creatures, without even a single rally, fled, as it were, from 
them, notwithstanding every possible endeavour was made to 
preserve vitality. Upon opening them, I was farther astonished 
to see the havoc made by disease not only on the lungs, but also 
the liver. 1 am doubtful that this summer will see increased fa- 
tality in such secondary cases. Upon inquiry I found that these 
animals had been seriously affected by the epidemic in 1840 or 
1841, and which, like many thousand others, had, in the wise 
conceit of their owners, been left to the care of chance. 
As my experience has matured, I have seen reason for altering, 
in some degree, a former expressed opinion, namely — -In the cases 
which came under my notice in 1840 and 1841, I considered 
bleeding then to do more harm than good ; but from the many 
fatal cases I have since seen, wherein l found the lungs and liver 
in such a highly diseased and disorganized state, I now am of 
opinion that, where condition will permit, moderate bleeding, 
aided by gentle aperients, nauseants, warmth, and quietude, are 
powerful auxiliaries in producing convalescence, and will also be 
found great preventives against the chronic congestion of the 
lungs which is now so very fatally prevalent among those stock 
where such timely precautions have not been observed. I also 
consider that, were such or similar precautionary means more 
generally known, the country at large would be not a little bene- 
fitted. 
G. Holmes, V.S. 
An Account of the Epizootic Disease which pre- 
vailed in Bessjn, in France, among the Cows, Oxen, 
Calves, Sheep, and Pigs, during the Years 1840 and 
1841. 
By M. Levigny, V.S., Cambes. 
It may now be interesting to cross the channel, and trace the 
history and progress of this disease in France. 
During the three last years the merchants in heifers and pigs 
complained that they daily lost very considerably in the decreased 
price of the animals which they were conducting to Paris and its 
environs. 
This loss they said was occasioned by a disease known by the 
name of the cocotte, which attacked almost every animal, and pre- 
vented them from walking. They were therefore compelled to 
leave on the road a great many who exhibited symptoms of illness 
and occasioned considerable expense, and who were afterwards sold 
at a very inferior price. 
