204 PARASITIC DISEASE IN HORSES. 
it is so with all. Nevertheless, I feel assured that parasites 
may infest the system, and even in large quantities, with¬ 
out the practitioner suspecting their presence. With re¬ 
ference to “ various secondary affections,” mentioned by 
Mr. Littler, I can quite understand that their true nature 
is often not understood, or the cause which gave rise to 
them comprehended. There are certain diseases which 
give rise to symptoms analogous to those produced by 
parasites; for example, if a horse loses flesh, his mus¬ 
cles becoming flabby at the same time, the visible mucous 
membranes pale, and the abdomen unusually large, with drop¬ 
sical effusions into the areolar tissue of his legs and the under 
part of the belly, these symptoms may, with consistency, be 
attributed to mesenteric disease, complicated, perhaps, with 
thoracic disease also. But if in addition we observe that the 
horse has a chronic cough, a voracious appetite, an unhealthy 
coat, and often a lax state of his bowels, then the evidence is 
very strong in favour of parasitic disease being the cause of 
the symptoms. 
A similar specimen to the one alluded to was sent to the 
College on the 1st December, 1863, by Mr. Goforth Wyer, 
M.R.C.V.S., of Donington. In this case the parasites were 
of the same kind as in Mr. Littler’s case, viz., strongyles, and 
the surface of the colon presented precisely the same speckled 
appearance, which was due, I believe, to the same cause. 
That worms existed in very large quantities in the intestines, 
and were the cause also of death in this instance, I think 
there cannot be a doubt. 
In connection with these remarks it may be asked, if any 
means can be suggested to prevent the occurrence of parasites 
in the horse, and when they do exist what is the best mode 
of getting rid of them. These two points concern both the 
owners of horses and veterinary surgeons, and although I did 
not intend to make any remarks upon them, nevertheless, I feel 
desirous of giving expression to a few thoughts which have 
suggested themselves to my mind. 
Prevention of disease at all times demands our first 
consideration, and with reference to the point in question I 
hesitate not to state that a dry soil, nutritious food, and 
a clear dry atmosphere are most congenial to the health 
and longevity of the horse; and that animals bred and reared 
under such circumstances are usually capable of great 
endurance. On the other hand, horses which are reared in a 
damp humid atmosphere, upon a badly drained soil, and fed 
upon coarse, half-decomposed, innutritious herbage, are as 
