310 
EPIDEMIC OF 1858 - 9 . 
original normal tissue of the heart and the abnormal effusions 
of lymph. The condition of the muscular structure of the 
organ or of the pericardium did not, however, afford any 
satisfactory proof of the changes which had been wrought 
being referable to inflammatory action. The appearance was 
rather that of a morbid growth from the external surface of 
the heart than anything else. We have seen several similar 
cases, and also in cattle which were high bred and in a fat 
condition.] 
THE EPIDEMIC OF 1858-9. 
By Robert Hunt, M.R.C.V.S., Edgbaston. 
In every returning season many cases present themselves, 
to which that convenient, but ambiguous, term influenza is 
applied. In this respect, I apprehend, we are very much in 
the same position as the practitioner of human medicine. 
Although it is the prevailing impression that in this disease 
the mucous membranes of some part of the frame are always 
implicated, the term influenza is nevertheless given to diseases 
of varied character, and it is therefore not surprising that this 
confused state of nosology and pathology should be attended 
with much practical inconvenience. When the inexperienced 
or unskilful practitioner meets with a case beyond his educa¬ 
tion and practical acquirements, he, like all men when in the 
dark, makes ill directed efforts to extricate himself from the 
difficulty; the outcry is raised for some ee panacea” or spe¬ 
cific ; whereas, common sense and general principles are the 
only reliable sources in our choice of therapeutical agents. It 
is only by pursuing the high road that the paths of error can 
be avoided; it is only by a plain interpretation of natural 
facts that we can hope to steer clear of mischievous practice. 
I was pleased in perusing in your last volume some re¬ 
marks made by a gentleman, who evidently had closely 
watched his cases of what may not inappropriately be called 
epidemic paralysis. I allude to Mr. Smale. I can echo his 
words to a considerable extent about the character of the 
attack prevalent at that period, and I agree also with his 
treatment; but I found one thing indispensable, and that 
was rapidity of action. The counter-irritants I used were of 
the most active kind, and of those I found the Acetum Can- 
tharidis mixed with mustard to be very efficacious, for it was 
no sooner applied than action commenced. I also kept the 
