476 
EDITORIAL OBSERVATIONS. 
its forms, if not in its ordinary one, is frequently present with such 
disorder, there is, in our opinion, great show of reason for the view 
Mr. Gabriel has taken of the influenza or distemper . At the same 
time, we must remember that horses may have strangles at one 
time and influenza at another ; that we do not know that strangles 
proves either a preventive or a mitigative of influenza; but we 
know that a horse may have influenza twice and even thrice, 
whereas strangles rarely occurs more than once. Again, we know 
that there are years and seasons in which strangles is epidemic; 
others in which it is rarely or never met with. But whether this 
has any connexion with the prevalence of influenza, we, at the 
present moment, are not prepared to say. 
The next point to which we shall advert is the treatment of in- 
fluenza. We have had occasion before to remark, and we repeat 
our observation, that the disease, in its usual or general form, is so 
mild, or at all events so controllable, that we may well exclaim with 
Mr. Gabriel, “ we know of no set of cases with which we should 
so much like to be inundated as this.” Nature, disordered after so 
lenient and benignant a manner, simply asks for aid from medicine 
to act in concert with her in, as it would appear, eliminating “ im- 
purities” outof the constitution ; and the process directed to so sana- 
tive an end is, as far as we are concerned, a very simple and plainly 
indicated one ; nor does the accomplishment of it appear to cost 
Nature herself any great effort. It is only when the operation pro- 
ceeds unfavourably ; when untoward symptoms arise indicating 
that the matters of which Nature is desirous of ridding herself are 
not forthcoming through the ordinary channels, but lurk behind, cir- 
culating in the system ; or, under circumstances giving rise to fresh 
contamination ; or when parts become attacked with disease in con- 
sequence of their proximity to those already disordered, that 
influenza grows of vital concern to the animal and his medical 
attendant. 
We seem now, on all hands, to be agreed that blood-letting in 
ordinary influenza is apt to be productive rather of harm than 
good : it is a remedy nowise called for under such conditions, and 
one rarely had recourse to without subsequent regret. But should 
“ a more severe disease” supervene, “ this,” as Mr. Gabriel adds, 
“ may be now and then pneumonia : and now bear in mind the 
