ON THE PRESENT EPIZOOTIC AMONG HORSES. 245 
the cerebro-spinal system, to cause such a rapid prostration of 
strength and semicomatose state, that the tottering, half para- 
lytic gait met with under such circumstances has induced many 
to imagine that either the spine or kidneys were the parts first 
affected. 
Symptoms . — The precursory symptoms vary much in this dis- 
ease, and are generally so obscure as not to attract any notice. 
Until a few hours previous to its making its appearance, there is 
no alteration which would lead to any suspicion of the threaten- 
ing evil. Sometimes, though by no means invariably, there is 
a sudden loss of appetite, yet the animal may drink with avidity. 
He is, however, in the majority of instances dull and listless, with 
a dejected countenance ; moping his head in the manger, as if 
he were half asleep. The surface of the body and extremities, 
when at all altered in temperature, are more frequently found 
rather warmer than usual. This stage is, however, preceded by 
a rigor or cold fit ; yet there are some cases where the coat is 
found staring, and harsh to the feel, from a corrugated state of 
the integument resulting from depression of temperature. The 
eyes becoming attacked is, in most instances, what determines 
in the mind of the attendant that there is something really the 
matter. Many at first attribute this symptom to the effect of a 
blow, or some other accidental circumstance. One, sometimes 
both, are remarked to have an increased secretion. The pupil 
of the affected eye has, ere this, become contracted. Before the 
lapse of many hours, in many instances before the lapse of one, 
the eyelids become completely closed from irritation and tume- 
faction. Their margins become everted, presenting to the view 
the conjunctival membrane highly inflamed, of a reddish colour 
tinged with yellow. Inspissated mucus, often muco-purulent mat- 
ter, collects and adheres to the inner canthus. Mouth hot, but 
by no means parched ; usually containing a quantity of “ soapy 
slaver.” There is generally a peculiar appearance of the buccal 
membrane covering the gums, lining the lips, and beneath the 
tongue, denoting extensive derangement of the gastro-intestinal 
mucous surface. There is not alone an alteration of colour, but 
also a marked increase of vascularity. The capillary vessels of 
those parts which, in the healthy state of the animal, carry only 
colourless blood, have now their courses well delineated by their 
extreme turgescence. The nasal membrane is frequently scarlet. 
In short, in this stage of the disease there is erythema of all the 
mucous membranes participating in the affection, an increase of 
their secretion, and a tendency to slight infiltration of their sub- 
jacent cellular tissue. In some of those cases, where the dis- 
ease appears to be much more intense than usual, slight abrasions 
