EDITORIAL. 
147 
of which, when it shall have been effected, will prove to be 
the solution of the problem. 
In this article of Mr. Comeny, he proposes to consider the 
disease as “ an epizootic infecto-contagious paraplegia * * * a 
denomination, 5 ' he says, “ that is offered until micro-biologists 
have discovered the specific microbe, with its nature and its 
mode of introduction and culture in the organism of solipeds. 55 
The history given by the author of the few outbreaks he has 
observed, and his description of their symptoms, their duration, 
and their termination, correspond accurately with other reports of 
spinal meningitis as it has been seen in the United States, and 
his subdivision of the disease into the three forms of sub-acute , 
acute and sus-acute , which he mentions, corresponds to our 
various forms of gradation, from the milder attacks to those 
which terminate rapidly in brain complications. We must, how¬ 
ever, notice a great difference between Mr. Comeny’s opinion and 
our own touching the question of etiology. While we may to a 
certain extent ignore the agency of the pre-disposing causes which 
the author seems to accept, to the extent, at least, of allowing for 
the effect of the mode of feeding, the quality of the water, the 
external temperature, the condition of the animals, etc., we 
agree with him in accepting the doctrine of a single determining 
cause in “ a specific germ. 55 
But we cannot so readily agree with him in accepting the 
theory of contagion, as he states it. Indeed, as the result of our 
experience and our observation, and with abundant corroboration 
from others, we believe that positive evidences of contagion are 
yet to be discovered, if ever. If the disease is contagious, how is 
it to be explained that the introduction of affected animals into 
stables where the disease had not previously existed has not been 
followed by its appearance amongst the healthy stock in those 
stables ? 
According to Mr. Comeny, the introduction of the specific 
germ takes place through the urinary passages, and he supports 
this theory by referring to the alleged fact, that (on that account) 
a majority of animals affected are mares. And he claims that 
“ the bladder is the place or seat of the most prolific multiplica¬ 
tion of the infectious germ—from there it reaches the ureters, the 
