514 ON THE RECENT FP[DEMIC AMONG HORSES. 
animal frame, and partaking of different appearances, according 
to the parts affected. No wonder, then, that any specific remedy 
cannot be applied for its removal or amelioration ; and that our 
therapeutical agents require to be modified, according to the symp- 
toms exhibited in the different cases. 
In some animals it merely attacks the mucous membrane of 
the nose and eyes, and appears in the form of simple catarrh. At 
other times, the inflammation finds its way through the cribri- 
form plates of the ethmoidal bones, and proceeds towards the 
anterior lobes of the cerebrum, and exhibits symptoms of an 
attack upon that organ ; while in others, it threatens the mucous 
membrane of the larynx and superior part of the trachea, giving 
rise to laryngitis, the effects of which are cough, sore throat, and 
a difficulty in swallowing the food, &c., not unfrequently ab- 
scesses forming in the submaxillary and parotideal spaces, giving 
it the nature of strangles. 
Tracing it still farther, we find that, in some instances, it pro- 
ceeds most rapidly, escaping the notice of superficial observers, 
to affect the same continuous mucous membrane in the lungs. 
In this stage it is denominated bronchitis. In other instances, 
it equally involves organs within the chest. Contiguous with the 
lungs, it spreads towards the pleura, a membrane of a different 
character, and being of a serous nature. The diagnostic marks 
then not unfrequently have a more unfavourable character, termi- 
nating in an effusion of water within the chest, under the name 
of hydrothorax, and finally, there is an affection of the heart and 
pericardium, terminating often in an effusion of serum within 
the membrane, and named hydrops pericardii. 
In the late epidemic among cattle it assumed much of the 
same character, varying, however, in the different districts of the 
county, and according to the locality and the diversified expo- 
sures to contagion and infection. 
Our worthy and talented Professor north of the Tweed de- 
scribes it as consisting of an influenza or catarrh, with blisters on 
the nostrils, lips, tongue, and gums, and small pustular eruptions 
about the teats and the heels and interdigital spaces, attended 
by fever and quick pulse, with deranged appetite, and, in a few 
instances red-water making its appearance, evidently depending 
on some morbid state of the digestive apparatus. His treatment 
was changed according to the aspect and stage of the disease, an 
interesting description of which has appeared in your Journal. 
Having taken this cursory survey of the disease, we proceed 
to a consideration of the treatment to be adopted. Although 
in some seasons of the year the malady is more prevalent and 
fatal than in others, yet all animals are liable to become subject 
