THE PRESENT EPIDEMIC AMONG HORSES. 
93 
The first appearance of it in this vicinity was about the middle 
of September. The weather was generally wet, the atmosphere 
close, and (to use a provincialism) “ muggy,” and has continued so 
up to the last week, when the frost set in, since which time the 
disease has rapidly diminished, and leaves me now with a solitary 
case of influenza. 
In some cases, I believe the epidemic has been communicated 
by actual contact ; in others, from horses having been put into the 
same stall or stable with infected ones ; but in a variety of cases — 
I may say in a majority of them — it has arisen spontaneously, that 
is, from the inhalation of the atmospheric poison without commu- 
nication or contact. 
The early symptoms are, loss of appetite — soreness and increased 
heat of the legs — a defluxion from the eyes, the lids of which 
rapidly become swollen, so much so, that in many cases the serous 
deposit actually forces up and inverts the conjunctiva — drooping 
of the head — difficult respiration, with evident obstruction in the 
frontal sinuses — great oedema of the legs — a small tremulous pulse 
— an unwillingness to move — and the position in standing is very 
similar to a horse in tetanus. 
These symptoms gradually become more evident and intense 
until the fourth or fifth day, which is the crisis of the attack, and 
then they require redoubled attention. 
The treatment which I first adopted I have scarcely altered, 
as I found it answer exceedingly well; and I am happy to say, that, 
out of nearly 150 cases, I have not lost a single horse. I have 
avoided bleeding, because, in those cases in which it has been re- 
sorted to previous to my being called in, the patients have not gone 
on so well. I have given those mingled diaphoretic and seda- 
tive medicines which we are accustomed to administer in the usual 
pneumonic affections accompanied by debility, to which the horse 
is subject. Digitalis has never been forgotten when the state of 
the pulse demanded it. The diet — scalded oats, with bran, or what- 
ever else the horse could be tempted with. Purgatives were care- 
fully avoided. Sometimes there occurred a spontaneous diarrhoea, 
the consequences of which would be much to be feared if neglected, 
on account of the previous debilitated condition of the animal. 
I do not conceive that age or condition alter the appearances or 
effects of the disease ; for I have seen horses in the best condition 
with as great prostration of strength, in three hours, as those that 
are proportionately poor. 
When the disease has disappeared, there is debility for a week or 
ten days, during which they require tonic medicine. After this 
they resume their work without inconvenience. 
VOL. XIV. N 
