198 
PATHOLOGICAL FACTS AND OBSERVATIONS. 
In a former paper I remarked, that “ fever in the feet” some¬ 
time occurs as a consequence supervening upon tedious and pro¬ 
tracted cases of pneumonia. More commonly, however, we see 
it take place after a horse has been made to undergo some great 
or violent exertion,—for instance, after a severe fox chase, or a 
hard ride upon the road. But I do not remember that anything 
has yet been said as to its extreme liability to occur after a sea 
voyage. At all events, it seems to be a fact not generally known, 
that horses are most particularly prone to this complaint after 
having been confined for any considerable time together on board 
of ship. I have had several opportunities of observing this cir¬ 
cumstance, but certainly never upon so large a scale as during 
our expedition to Corunna (Sir John Moore’s campaign in Gallicia, 
in 1808-9). On that occasion, indeed, it prevailed to a very re¬ 
markable extent amongst the horses of the hussar brigade. 
This beautiful brigade of cavalry, consisting of the 7th, 10th, 
and 15th regiments, landed at Corunna about the 20th of Novem¬ 
ber. They had been on board upwards of three weeks, having been 
detained a part of that time by contrary winds at Portsmouth. 
As the transports could not get up close to the landing-place in 
the harbour of Corunna, the horses were necessarily disembarked 
by swimming them on shore from the ships. They were first 
lowered down into the sea, and then towed to land at the tail of 
a boat. After landing, they were put up in a very crowded state; 
and I may also add, they experienced a very great change with 
regard to forage,—from oats and hay, to rye and barley; but 
chiefly rye and rye straw to eat. 
After disembarking, the troops were allowed only a very few 
days to get ready; and on account of the scanty accommodation 
to be expected in passing through the province of Gallacia, they 
commenced marching by squadrons, in daily succession. Each 
regiment consisted of three squadrons, so that the last to move 
from Corunna had from seven to nine days longer rest after the 
voyage than that which went first; a circumstance well worthy 
of our attention, as we shall see in the sequel. On that occasion, 
I was directed to follow a day’s march in rear of the whole bri¬ 
gade ; to pick up all the horses belonging to it that might be 
left on the road; and to get them on to Lugo and Villa-Franca. 
The latter place is seven marches from Corunna; is situated at 
the foot of the Gallician passes; and was indicated as the princi¬ 
pal depot for sick horses. 
At Betanzos, the first stage, I was not a little surprised to find 
more than twenty horses left behind ; all with “ fever in the feet;” 
and the greater part of them belonging to the regiment that was 
