216 
THE EPIDEMIC FEVER NOW PREVALENT AMONG 
HORSES. 
By Mr . W. Percivall. 
During the last month, and also (though to a less extent) 
during the present, an epidemic disorder has been “ flying 
about” among the horses in this neighbourhood, which, though 
quite of a different nature from the one that has caused so much 
needless alarm and disturbance among the more rational part of 
the creation, has called for the vigilance and attention of the 
medical practitioner. Whether we christen it an epidemic or an 
influenza, or assign any other appellation to it, is of little mo¬ 
ment, so long as we do not suffer ourselves to be misled by the 
cognomen. 
It has proved a disorder readily recognizable, and one (judi¬ 
ciously treated) unattended with danger. To the eye of the 
experienced practitioner, the animal’s countenance at once be¬ 
trays his malady; and yet I very much doubt whether any de¬ 
scription one could give would convey the impression to the 
mind of the reader ; so difficult is it 
“-dicere cominunia proprie.” 
In my humble opinion, the liveliest picture one can present 
of any disease, is that which is taken from the plain unadorned 
narration of a case of the most ordinary and frequent occur¬ 
rence. We are too apt, in nosological descriptions and definitions, 
to frame something (out of all the cases we may have seen) in 
our own mind, which, taken separately, as it stands, has really 
no existence in nature. As far as regards the likeness of the 
object represented, I would prefer the rough sketch taken on the 
spot to the most elaborate and finished representation worked 
off through memory’s illusive retrospect. 
The first intimation you have of the complaint is, that the 
animal is “ off his feed;” that he either ate nothing, or but a 
little hay during the past night; and that he has likewise re¬ 
fused his morning feed. You visit the animal, and find him 
dull and dispirited, his countenance betraying his malady; the 
eye exhibiting either that peculiar gloomy dolorous aspect which 
a drooping lid and listless spirit gives it, or else being itself 
affected with the disorder, when it is found nearly or quite 
closed, and overflowing with lachrymal secretion. The pulse 
rarely is so low as fifty, and seldom mounts beyond sixty. The 
coat (particularly in the parts left exposed) becomes pen-fea¬ 
thered, losing its glossy sleekness; the extremities become 
cold; the mouth unusually warm and dry; the urine sparing. 
