TRANSLATIONS FROM GERMAN PAPERS. 
171 
exceedingly rare affection. In Denmark, it is known as spinal-typhus; 
in Holland, as lumbar-typhus.* It would appear probable that we have 
to do here with an infectious disease, in which the poison, as in other 
diseases of this kind, is reproduced and increased either inside the dis¬ 
eased bodies or outside of the same. None of the numerous observers 
make mention of any contagious nature in the affection, and Dr. Bol¬ 
linger, in some experiments upon other animals, had negative results. 
In Denmark, however, spinal-typhus, which appears identical with this 
disease, is treated as if contagious. 
By many observers the injurious material is thought to be taken in 
with the food or drink, especially certain sorts, as sour hay, or hay which 
has become musty or attacked with fungi. In certain regions (Baden, 
Holland) it has been sought to connect the disease with the feeding of 
beet-root and mangel-wurzel to the horses. The view, that the origo mali 
is to be sought in the food, receives support from an analagous condi¬ 
tion met with in cattle. In them a form of bloody urine exists, which, 
in many cases, is a true hoemoglobinuria, induced by certain foods, and 
feeding in certain meadows. Gerlach states that it is a blood disease, 
in which the corpuscles are dissolved and the coloring matter escapes 
with the urine. The same is caused by eating decomposing straw and 
frozen beet leaves. 
No explanation can at present be given of the fact that the disease 
attacks horses which have been standing idle for a few days in the 
stable. 
It is advised as a prophylactic measure, in regions where this 
disease is common, to pay special attention to the quality of the 
food, as there is a possibility of the introduction of the materies morbi 
by this channel. As a therapeutic means bloodletting has been much 
employed, but it is doubtful if, in blood poisoning of such an acute 
character, it can have much influence. Adam, in South Bavaria, in a 
number of cases, found it injurious, and Kolb and others believe that it 
hastens death. This is a point upon which careful observations are 
much needed. Where acute uroemia is threatened, owing to complete 
obstruction of the tubuli uriniferi and consequent suppression of urine, 
copious diuresis should be established. Finally, the author proposes the 
name “ toxic hoemoglobinuria” as a substitute for the other names of 
the disease, believing that it expresses better than any other the nature 
of the affection. 
[ Condensed from Deutsche Zeitschrift f. Thier medicin, Bd. 3, Hfb. 3.] 
* I am informed by Principal McEachran that it is quite a common affection in Canada, being 
noticed more particularly in the winter months.—W. O. 
