Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-11-15
Communications.
Written ron THE VERMONT PuGSIx.
I.VFLUB.vZ.y EPIZOOTE

NJ. Editor Public attention is now alb
sorbed in the prevalent disease of horses.
When two or three persons meet it is the
first subject discussed, and many and in-
genious are the theories respecting its ma
ture, origin and results. Enough has al
ready been learned, however, from post
norton examinations to show that it can
not be regarded as new disease. 1t is un
doubt edly form of influenza which has
occurred many times before, both in the
United States and many parts of Europe.
We have no very reliable account of its ex-
istence previous to the tenth century.
French writers note one in that country
in 1871, and in 1903 the courts of law in
Paris were closed owing to the prevalence
of influenza. Other epidemics are record
ed of greater or less extent.
Noah Webster, in his learned work en-
titled "a Brief History of Epidemics and
Presidential Diseases gives histories Of
this disease as it appeared in some A cpl
denies from ll74 to 1900. Other writer's
me ntion epidemics occurring later. The
epidemics of 1882, 1775, and 1911 are partic-
ularl v mentioned as being epizootic. This
word, "epizootic," is derived from two
Greek words which signify "upon an ami
NAL" hence "influenza epizootc," is intlu
enza upon or affecting an animal. The ep-
idemic of 1911 is spoken of as having been
especially severe in this state upon the fox
es and squirrels In 1873 the influenza
commenced simultaneously in London and
Flanders, during the first week in Janua-
a.. IA ,l,..,
month, and in Ireland about the end of the
same at Leghorn, about the middle of
February; and at Naples and Madrid near
| the end of the month. The same year IL
made its appearance in America about the
middle of October, first in the New Eng
land States, and soon afterwards was prev
alent in the islands of Barbados and ia
mai ca. In n few months it is said to have
| extended 10 Mexico, and rs far south as
Peru. 1t seems MOTTO be produced by cold,
| though it is easily excited by it, as it often
appears in tropical countries; it also APP
| pears in this country in the midst Of sum-
mer. An instance Of this occurred in this
State in August 1907, when the whole State
was suddenly invaded. If there are any
diseases that depend wholly upon gener-
al cause in the atmosphere, it would APP
| pear that influenza was one of these.
Ii il well aScertained that influenza gem
orally precedes diseases Of greater magni-
tude, and it is often the first harbinger to
warn us of approaching danger. While tI
| cause is said TO be some poison in the at
mosphere which travels with great rapid
| ~ over whole continents, leaving behind
it an influence which shows itself long af-
ter the epidemic has passed away; yet
what that peculiar safe of the atmosphere
is which produces such potent results, is
not understood. Webster and Gallup both
claim that ii is a change in the electrical
state Of the air. Webster notices as wor-
thy Of remark THAT eighteen opidemics oc-
CURED in years when there was volcanic
eruption in Italy or Ireland, and eleven
others, though in different years, were
within few months of eruptions, making
twenty-nine out of the forty-four that al
most all happened in years of great earth
qulkes, or within few months preceding
or following them and lastly, that twenty
nine instances occurred within year or a
few months, preceding or following the APP
proach Of comels." He did not consider
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as the
| cause OF Influenza, but as effects of COM
mon cause, and evidence of its existence.
There are three forms known to veterina-
ry surgeons, called the catarrhal, rheu-
matte, and neutrality-suspicious.. With re-
gar TO treatment in simple cases, but lit
tie is required beyond complete rest and
peri ect cleanliness both of the stable and
the patient. His drink should have the
chill removed, and the diet should be light
and laxative. If complications arise, they
sho uld be treated according to their ma
ture. HENRY ID. HoLroN, MI
Brattleboro, Nov. IL.