Wilmington daily gazette., 1872-10-25
From the N. y. Tribune. of yeste terday.
THE HORSE PLAGUE,
Alarming Spread Of the DIseas SO.
RAyAcEs OF THE DrsTEMrER IN THls s CITY
NO Fatal. CASES REroRTED-ANAIETy J.
business AND TURF CIRCLES

More than 80 Of the principal stables in this
city were visited, yesterday. by TRIBUNE re-
porter, who was in search Of facts in regard to
the horse disteuper now prevailing in this State,
The opinion among sporting men generally seems
to be that the nature the disease has been mis-
apprehended. The horses in almost every livery
stable in the city are more or less affected, but
the fatal cases are few. Private stables are not
exempt from the ravages Of the new scourge, the
majority OF them having several cases. Among
the stables visited were those of Dan Mace, the
iurfman. In them were about 40 horses, all
more or less affected. Among known
trotlers thus affected are the Ethan Allen Lin-
coin colt three years old, for whom 81 5 900 was
refused some time ago. the mare Venus with a
.ecord Of 200; Captain Jink-, who has made
49, Stonewall Jackson, with q record Of 2:37;
,hvt who troited last Friday at Prospect Park;
and Lady Wheeler. In addition, there is the
team composed OF Plimpton and Darkness, who
nave trot:ed in 230. Ben. Daniels four year
old, Jem McMaAon, also has the malady. :
Gray Mack, kirkwood, Ben franklin, and the
stallion colt, Jules Jurgensen belonging to Cbas.
Carman, have also succombed TO the distemper.
1t is believed that the celebrated trotting maj e,
American Girl, who was in Mace's stables until
yesterday, will also have the disease.
The distemper has also spread 10 Lambs stB.
oles in Fifty eighth and Forty ninth streets TO
udells stables, in Fifty seventh street: and to
rnomey's, iu Fifty third street. Prominent
sporting men and horse dealers say that probably
one half of all the horses in the city will suffer,
more or less, before the disease abates.
The Offices Of the different veterinary surgeons
presented quite an animated appearance, and all
day long the surgeons We're visiting sick horses
4, their stables The nature of the disease is
quite we'll known, and they do not regard it as
/ dangerous. Prompt action, good nursing. and
| freedom from excitement are necessary. The
disc ase is catarrhal affection, due, as far as
| known, TO some atmospheric influence. Its
most Characteristic symptoms are low pulse dry,
hacking cough watery discharge from the nos
| trils and eyes more or less affected. DR.. j.
| Cole, who has an extensive practice among road
and lrot,ing stock, gives 1t as his opinion that,
with prompt attention, not one per cent. of the
cases will prove fatal In this opinion he is con.
frmed by Drs. Copeman, Cauanach and others
Dr.C opeman states that out of about 800 cases
only one has proved fatal. The other physicians
confirm this assertion. The disease lasts from
to days. By prompt treatment, however.
slight cases can be cured in from "a to 48 hours.
The treatment most generally recommended is
the following:
A stimulating liniment applied to the glands
of the throat, and vlnuriate Of ammonia, with
licorice and honey, given internally. Carbon ate
OF ammonia is given where a stimulant is
required The surgeons generally condemn the
ami. .phlogistic treatment by sedatives, and
especially purgatives, as exceedingly pernicious.
II thadisease is not promptly attended 10, the
horse may die Of illumination oflhe lungs.
The horses belonging to the different express
companies have also suffered more or less. The
American Express Company alone has 1l5
horses, and one has died. The various horse
car lines suffer from the new epidemic, though
not to no great an extent as the private and
livery stables. On the Third ave. line not more
than 20 out Of nearly 1000 horses have been
rendered unfit for work, though the Superln-
tendent expressed the fear that nearly If not
quite all their stock will become infected before
the epidemic abates. On the Sixth ave. line
about 1870 out Of 800 hoEsss..have been taken sick
and have been Withdrawn from work. The
number Of daily trips was reduced yesterday on
this road, and fears were expressed that the
diminution would be still greater to-day. The
Second ave. railroad employs about 1000 horses
and last evening, no cases Of sickness hid
occurred In the company's stables. Tbis Il the
only line ofpubic travel which has been entirely
exempt, though no fatal case has been reported
10 the superintendents Of the stage and railway