REVIEW — ON THE EPIZOOTIC IN CATTLE. 
629 
laws which Nature has laid down for the preservation of the health 
of her creatures. But although these predisposing causes are so 
various in their nature, and produce such serious results, they 
happily can, in the great majority of cases, be remedied or pre- 
vented by care and attention. 
“ We have shewn that most of the symptoms of pleuro-pneumo- 
nia are such as are exhibited in pneumonia, pleurisy, or bronchitis ; 
modified, however, by the structure principally affected, or, in 
other words, by the local seat of the disease. The most remark- 
able peculiarity of pleuro-pneumonia, however, is the tendency of 
the inflammation to assume the sub-acute and chronic forms, and 
of the fever to lapse into the typhoid form ; tendencies the effect 
of which renders the epizootic disease more fatal than ordinary 
pulmonary inflammation. In many cases the disease progresses 
for a considerable time before any symptoms become apparent. 
The consequent hold that it takes of the system before any reme- 
dial measures can be adopted, accounts, in a great measure, for the 
mortality attending it. 
“ The terminations and post-mortem appearances have been 
found to be exceedingly various, depending on the intensity, the 
duration, and the particular seat of the disease. 
“We have indicated the means to be pursued in enabling the 
practitioner to discriminate between the same symptoms as exhi- 
bited in different diseases, and have shewn the importance of ar- 
riving at a just and true prognosis of the case to be treated. 
“ In the treatment of pleuro-pneumonia we have shewn the futi- 
lity of depending on specifics; we have also shewn that the best 
and most scientific mode of treatment results from a deliberate 
consideration of the symptoms and the modifying influences amid 
which the animal may be placed. Observation and experience 
indicate the necessity of cautiously using depleting measures, and 
of supporting the strength and vigour of the constitution by the 
exhibition of tonics and stimulants. As much depends upon the 
care of those in charge of the animal being well directed, the 
practitioner’s instructions should be given in plain and simple lan- 
guage, and accommodated to the capacity of those who have to 
follow them out. 
“ In using means to prevent the occurrence of the disease, we 
should endeavour to maintain in a sound and healthy tone the 
physical powers of the stock, and to avoid whatever tends to de- 
press the vital force. Exposure to the influence of contagion must 
be guarded against, and, on the appearance of the disease, every 
precaution must be used to prevent the healthy having communi- 
cation with the sick. By a steady pursuance, on the part of the 
stock-proprietor, of these precautionary measures, and by the ex- 
VOL. XXill. 4 p 
