EPIDEMIC AMONG HOUSES. 
(>C>7 
were dull, and the lining of the orbital cavity slightly increased 
in vascularity. As the disease increased the pulse continued to 
rise iu number and diminish in strength ; the general debility 
increased' fearfully ; the bowels were completely torpid ; the pulse 
gradually grew weaker until it became imperceptible, and the 
voluntary powers at last totally failed. When the patients once 
fell, they were seldom able to rise again. About three hours 
before death I have observed that the mouth was cold, and the 
pulse imperceptible; but immediately previous to the animal’s 
dropping the eyes grew bright and staring, and seemingly fixed 
on one object, and directed upwards: the horse then usually fell 
backwards, and expired almost immediately. 
The duration of the disease was various : some horses died in 
thirty-six hours, others lingered on ten days ; but in all those 
cases that were slowest in their termination, the pulse on the 
first appearance of disease was 40, and gradually rose to a con- 
siderably higher number. The first two cases that I had died 
with a pulse that never exceeded 45, but the strength of the 
pulsation decreased hourly in every case until it could be no 
longer felt. The blood was always very dark-coloured, nearly 
black, and flowed very tardily from a large orifice. There were 
none of the appearances of epidemic catarrh about this disease ; 
no soreness of throat or cough ; no enlargement or pain in the 
submaxilliary or sublingual glands ; no swelling of the legs or 
increased secretion of tears, or swelling of eyelids, or discharge 
from the nostrils. The extremities retained their natural warmth 
until the near approach of death ; and, I may add, that there 
was little or no acceleration of breathing visible in any one 
case. The urine passed freely, and in sufficient quantity. In 
some cases, the appetite was only slightly impaired ; in others, 
there was a total refusal of food : fluid has always been taken in 
large quantities. Throughout the disease (except until the near 
approach of death, when more or less spasmodic action of the 
intestines might be inferred) there was no perceptible pain in 
any particular part. The coat usually looked well ; the abdo- 
men not tucked up ; but in some cases the animal flinched under 
pressure. Shivering fits were not an accompanying symptom, 
yet there was a slight staring of the coat in some cases at the 
very commencement, but during the after progress of the dis- 
ease the skin looked healthy. In general, the animal remained 
standing in one position, disinclined to move, with great languor 
and loss of spirits, and a certain sleepy look : and on attempting 
to rouse him the swaying motion of the hind extremities, and 
in later cases the dragging of the hind legs, shewed how 
grievously the strength had wasted : however, I may add, that two 
