ECZEMA EP1Z00TICA. 
567 
the only marked difference, as far as locality is concerned, 
between the parts affected in this horse, and the ox tribe. 
Should other cases occur, and it is very likely they will, I 
see nothing in the nature of the affection to suppose that the 
mucous membrane of the mouth may not be similarly 
affected. The very circumstances under which the mare 
contracted this disease, go very far in support of its being 
of the same nature as that affecting cattle. As far as we 
know, the mare was free from any such affection at the time 
she was placed in the meadow, which locality was the espe¬ 
cial repository for cows affected with eczema . Now if this 
disease can be communicated from one cow r to another, and 
it is almost invariably believed that it can ; is it not also 
possible that the mare in question contracted the disease 
from the cows that were placed in this field? I incline to 
the opinion that it is more than possible ; I consider it very 
probable. Admitting the susceptibility to be but feeble in 
the equine species to take this malady, the chances of escape, 
nevertheless, would, in this instance, be reduced to their 
minimum. No circumstances could be more favorable for 
the disease being transmitted from one animal to another 
than in this instance. The meadow contained a number of 
cows with disease of their feet and mouth, which by their 
£f trailing” and feeding among the grass, would of necessity 
leave upon the herbage the secretion from the vesicles and 
ulcers situated on their feet, lips, tongues, and teats. 
The recording of this case is, in my opinion, of great 
importance, and the agricultural public, as well as the pro¬ 
fession, may yet have greater reason to be thankful to Mr. 
Lepper for the trouble he has taken in communicating it. 
Mr. Lepper appears to think that this is the only case of 
the kind on record. This may be the case as far as England 
is concerned, but I have, nevertheless, a faint recollection of 
similar cases having been related to me before, by some of 
the members of the profession. If I am right in this 
respect, the reading of these remarks may remind those who 
may have told me of them ; and should they have any notes 
of the cases, or they are sufficiently imprinted on their minds, 
they may be induced to send me the particulars. 
If further investigation should prove that this disease can 
be communicated from the bovine to the equine species, a 
necessity will be seen to take care that horses are not ex¬ 
posed to such influences. For my own part, I have long 
considered that I have witnessed manv horses affected with 
%/ 
a disease similar, if not identical, with that affecting the 
mouth, feet, and teats of cattle. In a short paper I read. 
