478 
CORRESPONDENCE. 
than influenza was even suggested, so that, if in error, Iain not 
alone. 
But let us describe a typical case of this disease, whatever it 
maybe, and leave the diagnosis to the reader. 
Yesterday morning a horse belonging to Troop “ G,” Seventh 
Cavalry, took his exercise as usual, and seemed in the best of 
health. Toward evening he was seen to be dull, languid, stand¬ 
ing with head lowered, ears drooping somewhat, and resting, first 
on one leg, then another. Only a part of his supper was eaten . 
This morning I examined him, and find the following symptoms 
presented : Temperature 106 ; pulse 80, very soft, and so weak 
as scarcely to be counted at the jaw; respiration 20 per minute ; 
mucus membrane of the nose slightly injected, and dry on the 
surface; that of the eyes greatly swollen, deep pink in color, and 
covered with patches of loosely-adherent coagulated mucus. The 
cornea is injected, particularly along the inferior border, and the 
pupil is contracted. Tears are constantly dripping over the 
cheeks, and the eyelids are kept closed. The hair feels rough, 
and the legs are swollen. This swelling is cedematous, and affects 
most seriously the hind legs, which are warmer than is natural 
around the fetlocks, and slightly sensitive to pressure. The fore 
legs are but slightly swollen, as is also the sheath. The gait is 
precisely that seen in severe cases of influenza—weak and wab¬ 
bling. The appetite is limited to hay alone ; slight constipation. 
Is this influenza or cellulitis f True, all cases are not just like 
that above described, but they are simply modifications, and differ 
only in presenting various local complications, as may be seen in 
any epizooty of influenza. I deny that we are justified in calling 
the disease cellulitis, because a majority of the cases show unusual 
swelling of the limbs. The disease does not begin as cellulitis, 
nor is the cellulitis anything more than a local manifestation, 
depending principally , if not entirely, upon the debility of the 
circulatory system. It is worthy of notice that in those few cases 
where the mucus membranes of the nasal cavities and trachea are 
affected the heart-beat remains comparatively strong, and in no 
instance have I seen more than slight accompanying oedema of 
the extremities without a symptom of cellulitis. 
