542 
CASE OF INFLUENZA. 
the 3d, when, on account of the weakness, a few astringent powders 
were administered, and their effect was almost immediate. The 
case appeared to do well with sulphuric ether, calomel, and opium, 
in the form and doses I have before described, but, as the purging 
ceased, acute lameness appeared in the near hind leg. A bottle of 
mild embrocation to the part seemed to give relief, but the 
weakness continued and even increased, although the more active 
symptoms subsided. The mouth became moist and cool, the 
extremities of equal temperature, and the coat smooth, while the 
membranes assumed their natural colour. The breathing, however, 
was accelerated; but though the horse blew rather more than I 
desired, nevertheless, as I before have stated, I regarded that 
symptom only as an indication of debility, which would, with 
returning strength, disappear. 
The case had at first somewhat puzzled me. I could see 
nothing very marked, save fever, for even the slight eruption on 
the skin seemed to be the natural effect of such a cause ; but as the 
symptoms began to shift, and the debility became more and more 
confirmed, I recognised the complaint which so often defies our 
discernment, owing to the disguises it assumes. My treatment, 
however, had been such as I employ for influenza, therefore, when 
I recognised the true character of the disorder, there was nothing 
to regret. It had, however, been by me designated fever, and to 
the proprietor I never gave the disease any other name; for to him 
it was a matter of no consequence what the affection was called, 
provided it did not injure his property. 
On Tuesday, September the 4th, at twelve o’clock, I saw the 
horse. It was lying down, stretched out in a loose box. It raised 
its head at my entrance, but did not rise; I made the usual 
examination, therefore, while it continued down. The eye was 
bright, the skin and extremities warm, the mouth natural; the 
conjunctiva clear, but the breathing quick, and the nasal mem¬ 
branes a little heavy in their hue. The pulse at the jaw was very 
feeble, and the heart was by no means strong. Weakness appeared 
the prominent symptom. All fever had departed. The food had 
been free, but the animal took little more than fluids. It had, how¬ 
ever, gruel for drink, and occasionally it picked a bit of hay. I or¬ 
dered any food to be given the horse would eat, and left the place, 
telling the proprietor his animal was very weak, but in no danger. 
At five o’clock the man came to tell me the horse was dead, 
and had been so two hours. I could not believe the report. I 
thought no disaster of the kind could have occurred, for I had seen 
the horse so lately, and had then discovered no sign of death, 
which in cases of this kind, when the acute stage has passed, is 
never sudden. Death in influenza or fever is gradual, and 
