288 
THE LATE EPIDEMIC DISEASE IN FRANCE. 
thousand which are in the cantons of Ballerov, Trevi&res, and 
Isigny. 
1 think that the epizootic disease, the subject of this report, is 
the same as that which was described by MM. Geslain, Bernard, 
Magne, and also by the Council of Health at Paris, &c. Finally, 
that which has occasionally prevailed in France since the year 
1837, reigns there still, as well as in other countries. 
I will endeavour to point out several modifications which, 
probably, are to be attributed to the localities. 
A disease almost like that which now occupies us has already 
appeared in different parts of France, and particularly in the val- 
ley of Auge, and several veterinary surgeons, and, among others, 
M. Huzard, sen., have given a description of it. 
A disease also resembling this, although less intense, has pre- 
vailed in Paris and its environs during the years 1811, 1812, 
1834, and 1835. It has been observed by several veterinary sur- 
geons. 
Nothing, however, absolutely nothing, has indicated that any of 
these diseases have appeared in the Bessin form from time im- 
memorial. The oldest persons have not witnessed it, nor have 
any of their predecessors recorded it. 
Causes . — It is impossible to attribute the epizootic to atmo- 
spheric influence, nor to the bad quality of the food, nor even to 
the locality. 
The year 1840 had been cold and dry, the year 1841 cold and 
damp ; and, nevertheless, the disease indistinctly shewed itself 
in every period of these two years, and in every place. It has 
been observed raging at the same moment with an equal intensity 
on the borders of the sea, in the plain, and in the marsh. Rain, 
snow, drought, calm, and tempests, all seem to favour its de- 
velopment. Progressing sometimes regularly, sometimes irregu- 
larly, it can, at certain times, be attributed to contagion, and at 
others to the epizootics ; but oftenest it has appeared without any 
ostensible cause. 
In the cow houses of one farmer it often happens that the in- 
fection is confined to one flock only, and others have escaped for 
six months, and even a year. 
During winter, the cows that were in the farm-yard were pro- 
bably diseased : but there was no disease in either of the four 
stables that surrounded it, nor in any of the pasture grounds. At 
other times it was directly the contrary. In most situations the 
epizootics began with the cows ; but in others it was among the 
pigs that it raged most, or among the sheep. 
The development of this disease is often so singular that many 
persons will be tempted to deny the contagion, which in other 
