14 
CASES OF THE EPIDEMIC. 
and intestines throughout of a very dark damask colour : these 
organs were filled with food in a fluid form. No apparent ob- 
struction or inflammation throughout the intestinal canal. Liver 
very dark, turgid with blood, and easily friable, like a piece of 
rotten paper. Heart : its parietes were softer than usual, the 
interior linings of a deep scarlet blush, and it contained black 
blood on both sides. Lungs perfectly healthy, and other organs 
not named generally so, but every viscus seemed softened by slow 
disease. 
Remarks. — I have given this case as being the first that was 
affected, and being curious as regards the state of pulse. 
CASE II. 
Jan . 6th. — Admitted a young chestnut horse at 12 a.m., in 
good condition, very dull and heavy, and off his feed. Pulse 60, 
and weak. No feeces had been seen voided this morning — a 
very slight heaviness in breathing — legs, ears, and extremities 
comfortable — no perceptible pain. Bled three quarts, more 
could not be taken, or the animal would have fallen — blood black 
as ink, and flowed tardily from a large orifice. Blistered both 
sides very extensively ; put a rowel in the chest ; gave three 
parts of a dose of physic in solution, and one drachm of calomel 
in a ball, with ginger and gentian ; ordered warm clothing to 
the body, bandages and hand-rubbing to the legs, and the food 
to consist of gruel, carrots, hay, &c. 
7th. — Pulse 70, and the patient weaker. Medicine has not 
acted — respiration natural, but blister has had no effect. The 
blister to be washed off, and a fresh one applied. Injections to 
be given every three hours, and one pint of common oil admi- 
nistered. There is no sign of pain in any part of the body. He 
picks a little hay during the day, and drinks plentifully of gruel. 
Sth. — This morning pulse had risen to 80, and nearly indistinct. 
He began to throw his head about, as if something annoyed 
him. The bowels were still obstinately inactive. The pulse gra- 
dually grew weaker, until it could not be felt — the mouth be- 
came cold — the vital functions seemed to be perfectly paralysed. 
A little before 11 o’clock his eyes became bright and staring, 
with a swaying motion of the hind extremities : he seemed to gaze 
steadfastly at some object in the ceiling — sunk very slowly back- 
wards — and expired immediately. 
Post-mortem appearances. — The brain apparently softer in 
structure, and paler than usual. Lungs healthy. Heart softer in 
structure than in health, and, like Case I, of the same peculiar 
colour internally. The stomach and intestines similar to the fore- 
