THE 
VETERINARIAN 
VOL. XXXVII. 
No. 436. 
APRIL, 1864. 
Fourth Series, 
No. 112. 
Communications and Cases, 
REMARKS ON CASES OE PARASITIC DISEASE 
IN HORSES. 
By Professor Varnell, Royal Veterinary College, London. 
During the month of February, 1864, I received some 
interesting morbid specimens taken from horses whose 
deaths were doubtlessly caused by parasites. Being aware 
of the ravages that parasitic diseases are making in our do¬ 
mestic animals, far greater than is generally supposed, even 
by the members of the profession, I am induced to ask for 
room in the pages of the Veterinarian for the following letter, 
and the few remarks I have made upon it; my chief object 
being to add to the common but as yet scanty stock of this 
description of veterinary literature. The facts that I may 
be able to contribute, and those also which my professional 
brethren may be disposed to supply, will doubtless be useful 
to whomsoever may undertake the publication of a treatise 
on the entozoa of domestic animals, and the diseases that are 
produced by their presence. Such a work is much needed 
at the present time, and whoever accomplishes the task will 
confer a boon on the public at large, as well as on the pro¬ 
fession. I make this remark, as I have some reason to think 
that such a book is in the course of preparation, although 
I cannot speak positively thereon. 
To the pathological anatomist an investigation of the struc¬ 
ture of parasites, and a knowledge of their natural history, 
are of great importance, as their presence in large quantities 
often implies previous disease in the animal they inhabit, 
xxxvii. 14 
