98 
ON EPIZOOTIC DISEASES. 
Next follows a description of the horse labouring under this 
malady. 
“ He paws the ground, and, on his hanging ears 
A doubtful sweat in clammy drops appears. 
Parched is his hide, and rugged is his hair; 
He rolls his mournful eyes — he deeply groans — 
He heaves for breath; which, from his lungs supplied, 
And fetched from far, distends his labouring side. 
To his rough palate his dry tongue succeeds, 
A ropy gore he from his nostrils bleeds. 
A drench of wine has with success been used. 
And through a horn the generous juice infused. 
Which, timely taken, opes his closing jaws; 
Or, recruited into rage, he grinds his teeth 
In his own flesh, and feeds approaching death.” 
Georgies iii, 767- 
These are the genuine symptoms of the disease as they often 
appear in the horse at the present day, and the state of the ani- 
mal when the cordial was given being mistaken. The earlier 
symptoms are true to nature. The classical scholar will thank 
us for the graphic description of them*. 
The poet proceeds to describe the fearful progress of the 
malady. 
" The nightly wolf, that round the inclosure prowled. 
Now plots not on the fold, tamed by a sharper pain. 
The fearful doe and flying stag around our dwellings roam. 
The scaly nations of the sea profound. 
Like shipwrecked carcasses are driven aground : 
The viper dead within her hole is found. 
To birds their native heavens contagious prove. 
To change the pasture ’tis in vain. 
Or trust to physic — physic is their bane. 
The learned leeches in despair depart, 
And shake their heads desponding of their art.” 
Tisiphonef 
Majestically pale now treads her round. 
* Pede terrain 
Crebra ferit ; demissae aures : incertas ibidem 
•Sudor, et ille quidam morituris frigidus; aret 
Pellis, et ad tactum tractanti dura resistit. 
Haec ante exitium primis dant signa diebus. 
Sin in processu coepit crudescere morbus. 
Turn verb ardentes oculi, atque attractus ab alto 
Spiritus interdum gemitu gravis : imaque longo 
Ilia singaltu tendunt : it naribus ater 
Sanguis, et obsessas fauces premit aspera lingua.” 
Georgies iii, 508. 
f Tisiphone was one of the furies, and the minister of severe vengeance 
on mankind. 
