70 G 
VETERINARY MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, 
Tuesday , Nov. 22d. 
Professor Sewell, President. 
The present Epidemic. 
A paper on this subject, by the President of the Association, 
was read by the Secretary*. A disease under the name of In- 
fluenza, exceedingly prevalent at different times, although having 
occasionally existed from time immemorial, was first described by 
some Italian physicians. They traced it to atmospheric agency, 
but they differed as to the nature of that agency. That disease 
has been differently described by different writers in later times. 
In truth, it had no fixed character; but it varied with the pecu- 
liarities of the seasons, and with the want or the defect of ven- 
tilation, and with various predisposing causes, arising out of the 
locality, and constitution, and habits of the patient. He, there- 
fore, entitled his paper “The present Epidemic,” because it dif- 
fered materially from all that had hitherto been described. 
It differed mostly in its mode of attack. Local circumstances 
seemed to have little to do with it. It went through the best 
regulated and best ventilated stable almost as completely as that 
which was most neglected. It attacked the young and the old ; 
the stabled horse, and the one at grass, and even the foal that 
had not yet been stabled. Its causes were in the earth, or the 
atmosphere, or both. It assumed a more serious form in those 
that were previously affected with chronic disease ; and no treat- 
ment which the animal was undergoing on account of other dis- 
ease would avert its attack. It simulated almost every disease. 
It was most prevalent and severe when the thermometer was at 
58 degrees of Fahrenheit and more. It had hitherto been con- 
fined to the horse. 
* Our notice of these papers will be comparatively brief, although no im- 
portant point will be omitted. It is the intention of the Council to pub- 
lish the more valuable of them at the close of the session. The peculiar 
views of the respective authors, and their own mode of illustration, will 
then be brought before the public without curtailment. In justice, there- 
fore, to the author and the Association, much now must be omitted. This 
is stated, that we may not be accused of negligence. The debate shall be 
given, with some curtailment, yet more at length ; and on any subjects of 
more than usual importance we should be grateful if the respective speakers 
would, on the next day but one, favour us with their speeches at as much 
length as they please. 
