( 2 )
appears to have reached its height. From this time it gradually died out, and when
the subject was made one of special investigation, the disease had not only materially
lessened, but the cases that were brought in, were found to be less severe and more amenable
to treatment.
By the end of April the Epizootic had disappeared as such altogether,
although sporadic cases have since been brought under notice and treatment, as we are
informed by Mr. Greenhill; but as an Epizootic from this time, the end of April, the disease
had died out. We may, therefore, define the time during which the disease existed, as an
Epizootic, from January to April inclusive. The havoc this Epizootic committed during the period
under review was great and serious ; it spared but few; condition, nor age, nor sex, was a
protection : indeed the best fed and cared for, and in the highest condition, were at least as
liable to be attacked, as cattle in poorer condition and indifferently housed and fed ; and
all equally succumbed. The disease, as a rule, made a clean sweep of all the cattle in a yard
where it had found ingress. We may in elucidation mention the fatal result to the large
and valuable head of cattle belonging to Mr. Floyd of Alipore, he lost all. Mr. Stalkartt
of Howrah lost all his, and many others who had for years given the subject of the improve-
ment of the breed of cattle in Bengal much consideration, and had expended much time and
money on this object, saw their work of years demolished in a few weeks. It is not, we regret,
in our power to give any correct or reliable statistics shewing the number of cattle attacked
by this Epizootic, but the result of treatment of those which were brought in was most alarming
and discouraging, probably not less than 90 per cent. died! (Rutherford.)
We now proceed to give the symptoms of this Epizootic, for which we are indebted to
Mr. R. Rutherford, who made careful notes of the cases that were brought under his observa-
tion and treatment, and who has most liberally placed his notes at our disposal. Mr. Greenhill
also lent us valuable assistance whilst conducting our enquiries, and his observations corrobo-
rate those made by Mr. Rutherford. It is to be remembered that these notes were written
some fifteen months since, and when we compare them with the symptoms given
of the Epizootic now raging in England, their closeness and similarity to these is
remarkable. Mr. Rutherford describes the symptoms thus: "The disease is ushered in, in
all cases with fever of a remittent character, but it is only in a few cases that the shivering
and sweating is observed ; the skin is hot and dry, or otherwise of a clammy feel; ears hot,
and pulsation of their arteries very distinct; extremities hot and cold alternately; breathing
accelerated and oppressed; catching of the flauks, and frequent twitchings of the muscles of
the flank. Dulness and loss of spirits is an early symptom, and a strong disinclination to move
or be moved about; the horns are hotter than usual, more so near their base ; eye dull and
expressive of pain of a dull character : conjunctival lining red ; and towards the inner canthus
the membrane shews several ecchymosed spots ; gradually the eye become duller and more
dusky in hue, a discharge of tears is constant, and the animal experiences great annoyanœ
from the flies buzzing about the eyes; the muzzle is usually dry, hot and glazed, or other-
wise a few drops of water are exuded, which however do not run into each other and make
the muzzle moist, but remain isolated. There is early a watery discharge from both nostrils,
which gradually assumes a muco-purulent character. From the mouth you early observe a
dribbling of saliva of a sticky nature and mixed with air, and of a disagreeable fetor ; the
mouth is very hot and breath early of a most disagreeable fetor ; this is a most important
symptom and will almost distinguish the disease from any other. The tongue towards its
base is slightly swollen and coated with mucus and saliva. I have observed no soreness of
the mouth except in one case, and that was confined to the gum of the incisor teeth. At
times, however, slight ulcerated spots are easily observed on the Schneiderian membrane ;
they are small and superficial, irregular edged and of a yellow tinge, owing apparently to a
covering of lymph on their surfaces. The colour of the Schneiderian membrane is early of
a deep red hue, gradually becoming more so, and in many cases evidently embarrasses the
breathing. The air expired through the nostrils is also of a fetid odour, as also is the
discharge; cough, although present, is not, in my opinion, pathognomenic of the disease, as I
have only noticed it two or three times ; this I think is owing to the intense inflammation of
the fauces and larynx ; the pain of coughing would be fearful and the animal avoids it. Amongst
the earliest symptoms is the animal's total refusal of food and drink : water even cannot be
swallowed, and these forced upon the brute are swallowed with great pain and difficulty; this
is a distinguishing symptom and one of great value taken in conjunction with the dribbling of
fetid saliva from the mouth. At first the urine is only slightly changed in colour, in some
instances not at all, but in all cases it latterly becomes very much diminished in quantity, of
a high colour and strong smell. The action of the bowels ; at first natural, rapidly becomes
deranged; the discharges are of a darker colour, incline to a blackish green hue, rank and
very offensive odour ; but as yet there is no positive diarrhoea. At any time, however, from
this, diarrhœa may supervene; the fœces become much thinner, are discharged frequently and
with violence, mixed with mucus and air, and in most cases shortly afterwards with blood.
By this time, however, the fever has generally altered in character ; it has assumed a low typhoid
form; the animal is thoroughly prostrate, capable of no exertion or exercise of nervous energy;
the former symptoms are aggravated, the skin becomes cooler and more clammy, and