THE EPIDEMICS OF 1836. 
136 
from the fact of its having been known to disappear or end its 
course in the return of health, under a great variety of not only 
different remedies, but even under different modes of treatment. 
In truth, those practitioners appear to have succeeded best who 
have done little more than look on, only keeping out of the way 
all such influences as were or might be productive of harm, and 
watching that no organ — the lungs especially — became seized 
with inflammation during its course. Of all the steps taken 
towards effecting recovery, the removal of the patient from his 
domicile or place where he experienced the attack into the open 
air, or a change of air, seems to be that which has been attended 
with most benefit ; and numerous have been the cases in which 
that change alone has, unaided, worked a cure. 
ON THE EPIDEMIC OF 1836. 
By Mr. W. F. Karkeek, of Truro. 
“ Pardon this digression ; 
But whatsoe’er may be a man’s profession. 
Whether the trade be noble or ignoble. 
Whether he steers a frigate or a coble. 
He finds some vast importance in the calling, 
And deems the universe is kept from falling, 
And all the interests of man affected 
By that to which his talents are directed.” 
Anon* 
It may appear superfluous, Mr. Editor, in troubling your 
readers with any thing more respecting “ The prevailing Epide- 
mic,” after so much has been written and said on the subject ; 
but as it appears, from your brief report of the proceedings of the 
Veterinary Medical Association, that its members differ exceed- 
ingly in their opinions on this disease, I have ventured to offer 
mine, and more particularly so, as they are different from most 
others ; for 
<e Who shall decide when doctors disagree ?” 
The diseased changes observed in the different parts of the 
body were certainly considered and discussed with an extreme 
degree of minuteness by the professional gentlemen present at 
the meeting of the Association ; but, in my humble opinion, the 
original and real cause of these changes was entirely overlooked, 
viz. — the morbid state of the fluids — being of opinion that the 
epidemic bane vitiates the blood and deranges its vital principle : 
