248 ON THE PRESENT EPIZOOTIC AMONG HORSES. 
These facts throw considerable light on the peculiarity of treat- 
ment required to be had recourse to in the present epizootic 
among horses. It is evidently a febrile affection, exerting its 
influence principally on the organic system of nerves, through 
the medium of which it affects the mucous and tegumental mem- 
branes generally ; more particularly those that have been already 
rendered peculiarly predisposed by chronic disease or some pecu- 
liar idiosyncrasy of the individual. In confirmation of this as- 
sertion, it may be adduced, that, when there is a disposition to 
ophthalmia, the affection of the eyes is sure to be more intense, 
particularly in the one before affected ; and where there is a ten- 
dency to diarrhoea, the mucous membrane of the intestines suffers 
more than any other part of the animal ; also, that, in cases of 
chronic bronchial irritation, the respiratory system suffers much 
more considerably than under any other circumstances. 
We must entirely discard the idea of its being merely a simple 
idiopathic inflammatory affection of one or more of the mucous 
membranes, with fever occasionally, as an accidental attendant. 
The results of treatment, suggested by such an idea, have proved 
its erroneousness beyond doubt. By bleeding, you only diminish 
the already far too weakened forces of the animal, without at all 
striking at the root of the evil. Give the ordinary dose of aloes, 
and you produce super-purgation. The bronchial membrane also 
sympathises, and you thus establish what is a thousand fold more 
difficult to contend with than the original disease; which will, 
like all epizootical diseases, when once set in, run its prescribed 
course : but from the peculiar mildness of the present affection, 
will, if there be no accidental complication, in the majority of 
instances terminate by resolution. However, at most, all we can 
do in the present instance is to assist nature through her opera- 
tions ; and fortunately we shall find it a matter of no great diffi- 
culty. By some, the exhibition of diffusive stimulants is pre- 
scribed. They are, however, by no means desirable, excepting 
in peculiar cases, as they only tend to increase the febrile action, 
without reducing the disease. Some agent is required, the action 
of which will have the effect of allaying the increased irritability 
of the organic system; and thus, by striking at the fountain 
head of diseased action, remove those derangements of function 
which, although, properly speaking, are merely secondary effects, 
are by many considered as the primary seat of the disease. For 
this purpose, I have had recourse, and with the happiest effects, 
to the potassio-tartrate of antimony ; a medicine which possesses 
the valuable qualities of acting on the mucous tissues, not alone 
by mere contact, but more particularly through the medium of 
the nerves, by becoming absorbed into the system, and thus act- 
