274 
JOHN MYERS, Sr. 
ity where the disease appears most frequent, we are obliged to pay its 
tribute to miasmatic influences. The evidences we have persuade us 
to believe that the system of the Southern stock must be impregnated 
# • 
with the effluvial atmosphere prevailing in that climate. This may ac¬ 
count for the inviolability of themselves, and tenacity of the virus which 
our native stock inhale from their excrements. Even the expirium may 
be charged with poison, and will act as such in the first summer if they 
change their homes to any of the northeastern States. It is also claim¬ 
ed that they are subject to infection after being acclimated. 
Not having anything essential to add to this miasmatic topic, I do 
not hesitate to acknowledge my predilection that the germ theory em¬ 
braces the most plausible explanation for the enigmatic rapid dying 
away of whole droves, dairies, etc., within a week or two. Innumera¬ 
ble statements of such mortalities are recorded in agricultural reports 
and periodicals, but the sporadic cases, which are fully as important as 
to whether they are contagious or non-contagious, are almost entirely 
ignored, as in such instances the pecuniary loss is estimated more than 
science. To prevent the former it is necessary in the first place to 
examine thoroughly into the causes and nature of the disease, a prob¬ 
lem which is yet to be solved, and must not be neglected if prophylac¬ 
tic measures are to be instituted and expected to prevent such calami¬ 
ties. My experience as to the period of incubation has not familiarized 
me enough with its circumstances to give a decisive judgment. Two 
days to five weeks seems to be the average time the poison requires to 
develop the disease. 
Prognosis is unfavorable, especially in midsummer. 
Treatment. —No administered remedy as yet has given any satis¬ 
faction. The salycilic and carbolic acids, with some slimy infusions, 
seldom seemed to do any good. Bromide potassa, with glycerine extr. 
eucalyptus glob, and water proved to be no better, nor did quinia give 
any more favorable results. Bathings of the abdominal regions with 
warm water, mustard or red pepper were also resorted to. Must, how¬ 
ever, admit that my therapeutical experiments were dissatisfactory. The 
rapid course and lack of time to give the proper attention to the action 
of medicines frustrated a systematic procedure. 
It appears to me credible, if not indisputable, that this morbid con¬ 
dition belongs to the acute decomposition of the blood (sepsis san¬ 
guinis), and signalizes itself principally through the abnormal colored 
urine, undoubtedly owing to some liberated hematin and cholochrome. 
It makes its appearance in the hot summer months. 
