The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1871-07-21
The Horse Disease.

More alarm is felt about the horse
epidemic now ravaging our city, and the
reports from the various public and pri-
vate stables yesterday were enough TO
justify the most grave apprehension as
to the safety of the entire horse popu-
lation. Everything indicates an in
crease in the extent and virulence OF
the disease, and eminent authorities
but contagion. There are now very
large number of valuable animals seized
with the plague. Most of these are
hopeless cases, and the sudden mortal.
ty is alarmingly on the increase. Sta
bles that have heretofore escaped are
now sorely afflicted. Many of the large
owners of stock seem seized with a
panic, and the veterinary surgeons are
overwhelmed with work. There are
now 1000 animals more or less AZ
hicted.
Nearly all the fatal results may he at
tributed to neglect and malpractice.
Those animals that have been promptly
placed under the care of well qualified
veterinary surgeons have, almost with
out exception, rapidly and fully recov-
cred.
There is variety of phases of the
present outbreak. The premonitory
symptoms are general dizziness of the
eyes, taccidity of the muscles, and lassi-
tude of the whole system. The animal
will droop and lag while being driven,
and sometimes will balk unnaturally
These appearances are noticed perhaps
for three days, and it is claimed that if
! the case is then submitted to medical
treatment, recovery is almost certain,
otherwise the chances are dubious. Oc-
casionally horse is seized with all the
suddenness of "a spasm. The hind quar-
tiers and feet are stiffened, and the
muscles hardened. The hips are soon
rendered numb and powerless, and the
poor beast totters and falls. More gen
orally the horse is gradually paralyzed,
and is able, with help and care, to reach
his stable. If he remains PROSTATE for
any length of time, fatal termination
ensues within three to six days. 1t is a
mistake to suppose that a majority OF
cases are in the railroad and stage sta
bles. The private establishments have
suffered severely. Usually their pro,
prietors are polite and communicative,
but desire to avoid all publicity.
! The horses in the stables of Mr. A.
I. Stewart have entirely esce ped the
disease, Notwithstanding the report to
the contrary given out by a discharged
employee. None of the expensive ami
mails in Messrs. Vanderbilt's, Bonner's,
Helmbold's and Fisk's stables have been
! at all sick.
There are ut present under treatment
in the Third avenue stables one hun
dred horses, of which number ten have
been Frustrated within the last fort
night.
The Madison avenue line, although
unfortunate in the number of its vic
| Tins, has been successful in their treat
ment. Out of ia within the last fort
night, only ten have died.
The Eighth Avenue Railroad, it is
stated by one Of the stable employees,
! had thirty new cases yesterday, and sew
eral deaths. The Broadway and Seventh
Avenue Railroad Company report moth
ing newer than the two cases recorded
on Thursday.
The proprietors of the Fifth Avenue
! Stage Line are still reticent, but, on the
authority OF a gentleman in the Vi
cinity, it is stated that as many as fif-
teen stages have been taken off the
| line.
The disease at the Ninth avenue sta
bles is said to be raging with great vir-
ulence, and many horses, it is rumored,
are conveyed away in covered wagons at
the dead of night.
The Eighth Street Stage Line has
had six cases out Of 2l0 horses. The
appearance of the disease there is very
recent.