INFECTIOUS CATARRHAL FEVER OF HORSES. 
745 
burden you with fine distinctions upon any phase of the disease 
itself ; these can be found in the greatest profusion and with the 
most sacred regard for details in a dozen excellent works in 
the English language, both as original writings and as transla¬ 
tions of the recognized authorities of the world. They can be 
studied better in the seclusion of our offices and homes, and are 
doubtless familiar to us all. 
I have been led to present this subject to you on account of the 
frequent enzootic outbreaks of the disease, usually in the large 
stables of our best clients, and on account of the extent of its 
ravages, the alarming symptoms, and the frequent high mor¬ 
tality. I am more anxious to discuss the etiology and treat¬ 
ment of this disease than to describe its symptoms. As to the 
infecting agent, there is nothing to be learned from the writings 
of any author in any land, beyond theories of more or less in¬ 
genuity, deduced from careful study of the history of outbreaks 
and the effects upon the system, although the disease has been 
known and has received much consideration for more than 
700 years. The more recent observers are nearly united in 
the belief that a micro-organism floating in the air at certain 
times and under favorable conditions is taken into the system 
through the inspired air, and in susceptible subjects gives rise 
to a train of symptoms which constitute this disease. No better 
conditions exist for rendering the air contaminated by these 
germs than are found in the city sales-stables, especially in the 
late spring and early summer, and occasionally at other seasons, 
more particularly in the autumn. When I specify ‘‘ susceptible 
subjects ” I do not wish to include only young and green horses, 
although they are, of course, the most easy victims. All veteri¬ 
narians with experience in treating sale horses will bear wit¬ 
ness to the frequency with which they have seen during the 
prevalence of such an enzootic outbreak old horses near the 
close of life become victims of it—“ swappers ” who have be¬ 
come useless from old age and infirmities through long years of 
service in the immediate vicinity of the stable where they at 
last become affected by the “ green sickness.” I can narrate a 
