635 
ON THE EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA OF 1836. 
By Mr. J. Ha yes, of Rochdale . 
You desire accounts of the late epidemic or influenza from 
practitioners in various parts of the country ; and, as I fully agree 
with you in the importance of such a collection of facts to the 
profession, and the benefits likely to be afforded to the public, I 
therefore with pleasure send you my humble mite, to add, if 
thought worthy, to your common stock. 
In April last, I had only five cases, somewhat mild ones; the 
weather was cold and wet, the wind weak, and principally in a 
north or easterly direction. 
The symptoms were a dull sullen appearance, watery eyes, 
great heat of the whole body, particularly the mouth, staring 
coat, loss of appetite, a soreness and tenderness of the chest, 
even on the least touch, disinclination to move, a general state of 
debility, painful and accelerated respiration, and quick but small 
pulse. About the third day painful cough succeeded, with sore 
throat and cold extremities, and with little or no discharge from 
the nasal cavities. About the sixth day the breathing was very 
quick and laborious, with continual and obstinate standing in one 
posture, and every symptom of pneumonia and pleuritis, except 
that the arterial action became slower and fuller, and the extremi- 
ties were warmer and swelled. These appearances continued until 
about the seventh or eighth day, when the countenance became 
more lively, and was more attentive to surrounding objects. The 
appetite began to return, and there was a general functional im- 
provement. The cough, however, still continued painful until 
about the 13th or 14th day, when it generally left the animal as 
abruptly as it appeared. 
My treatment was, venesection from eight to twelve pounds, 
according to symptoms. The following ball was then adminis- 
tered : potassce nitratis 3 ii ; antim. tart. 3 i; sulph. flor. 3 ii ; digi- 
talis 3ss; zingiberis 3ss; potassse sulphatis ^iii ; p. lini. 3 iii. 
This was repeated two or three times a-day, until the intenser 
symptoms abated. Mild blisters were applied to the larynx, 
breast and chest, with setons in the brisket, and bandages on 
the legs, according to the indication of the symptoms. 
When the febrile state appeared to be subsiding, I gave sulph. 
flor. 3 iii ; antim. tart. 5 ss ; calomel 9i ; zingiberis 3 i ; aloes 3 i, and 
p. lini sufficient to form a ball, to be given once or twice a day. 
An infusion of linseed was given three or four times a day, with 
mashes of bran and linseed mixed together. After the ninth or 
tenth day, I found the following mild tonic to have a good 
effect, in preventing that dreadful monster hydrothorax from 
