THE HORSE PLAGUE. 
951 
The Epizootic and How to Treat it. 
[From the Rochester Democrat , October 23rd.] 
The Canadian horse disease first showed itself here to any 
extent on Friday last. It soon attacked nearly every animal 
in the livery and horse-car stables, and yesterday we were 
assured that over 500 animals were suffering from it. One 
veterinary surgeon alone is treating seventy cases. 
The disease has prevailed in the dominion for some past. 
According to the Buffalo papers it was brought across the 
Niagara river by the horses of a gentleman who drove over 
to Queenstown to attend a reception given by the Governor- 
General. Soon after his return one of the horses was 
attacked by the epidemic, which in a day or two affected his 
whole stud. The disease has spread so generally since that 
from one third to one half of all the horses in Buffalo have 
suffered from it. We see from the LocJcport Journal that 
the disease has within a day or two become prevalent there. 
We add a communication from a well-known and success¬ 
ful veterinary surgeon of this city upon the nature and 
symptoms of the disease, together with the recommendations 
in regard to its treatment : 
In accordance with a request I give you some of the 
symptoms which characterise the epizootic that has just 
made its appearance, and is vigorously at work victimising 
the horses of this city, with some suggestions in regard to 
the proper care and treatment of the disease during its 
course. 
I think it cannot properly be regarded as a new disease. 
It is clearly a form of influenza that has occurred frequently 
in the United States, as it often has in different portions of 
Europe. Three forms of influenza are spoken of by veteri¬ 
nary authors: the catarrhal, rheumatic, and the gastro- 
erysipelatous form. 
Treatment .—The patient should be excused from all labour 
and allowed complete rest. The stables should be cleanly 
and well ventilated. Disinfectants may be useful, and in 
some stables necessary. Any of the following will answer : 
Carbolic acid, sulphate of iron, or bromo-chloralum. The 
patient should be properly groomed, and the nose and eyes 
frequently sponged with water, and the limbs, if cold, ban¬ 
daged. The drink should have the chill slightly removed, 
but not enough to make it warm and unpalatable. The diet 
should be light and of a laxative nature; say spout feed or 
