OF THE VETERINARY’ MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
283 
simple contact of the virus, it was remarked, has frequently proved 
insufficient. Thus, glandered matter had on a sponge been 
placed up the nostril of a healthy animal, and yet this disease 
had not supervened. But friction, so as to cause an abrasion of 
surface, thus admitting of the quick absorption of the morbific 
virus, was generally effectual in producing it. 
It being engendered by a specific poison existing in the blood 
was questioned by many. The influence of the animal poison 
of Professor Coleman was thus doubted ; and an argument 
brought against its existence was, that at all times it is not pro- 
ductive of the like effects; since sometimes glanders is the re- 
sult of its presence, sometimes farcy, sometimes ophthalmia, and 
sometimes grease ; whereas the atmosphere rendered infectious 
bv the effluvium of small-pox always produces small-pox, and so 
of many other contagious diseases. 
It was argued by Mr. Hill, that this affection is more commonly 
brought on by the inhalation of impure air ; air which had been 
respired over and over again, and redolent of the effluvia 
given off from the dung and uiine of animals; this inducing 
a peculiar state of the system, and rendering it susceptible of 
taking on glanders on the application of an exciting cause. 
It was considered desirable that a distinction should be drawn 
between the terms contagion and infection; and it was proposed, 
that the first should apply when bodies came into contact ; the 
second, when the air is the medium by which the virus is trans- 
mitted. 
An instance of a foal soon after birth having all the symptoms 
of glanders was related ; it, however, got well by administering 
to the mother the sulphate of copper. This is interesting, inas- 
much as it is difficult in the ordinary secretions to detect the 
presence of this salt even after it has been administered for some 
time. 
The time usually devoted to argument having expired, the fur- 
ther consideration of the essay was postponed to the evening of 
March 8th. 
Mr. R. Rush presented a paper on the Physiology of the 
Blood, its circulation, and the changes it undergoes; with some 
observations on foetal growth. 
Adverting to the circulation, he said, “ how many and im- 
portant are the uses of this faithfully maintained although 
complicated function ! On it depend nutrition, secretion, respi- 
ration, absorption, sensation, motion. What part could be formed, 
what fluid elaborated, what excrementitious matter removed, or 
