Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1894-02-08

tissue, and even portions of the ad-
jacent muscles become involved in the
process Of decay. The sloughin g goes
on rapidly in these cases, until death
or the poll-axe puts an end to the suf-
fering of the poor brute. In influenza
in whatever form it may appear, or
however, much it may be complicated,
the marked musclar debility is always
present and manifested primarily;
while in severe cases of the diseases of
the throat, bronchiae or lungs after
days Of sickness from depletive treat
ment or from lack Of proper nourish-
ment it may and often does ensue, but
is always secondary symptom and the
sequence of others conditions. The
course of the disease is, as rule,
regular, conyalescence occurring in
from seven to fifteen days, and the
disease ending, as do nearly all blood
diseases, in leaving the patient very
much enfeebled and often with swoolen
limbs which may remain for some
time after the patient has to all appear
ances otherwise recovered. The natur-
al tendency of influenza is toward re-
covery. With proper treatment and
when incomplicated, the rate of NOR
tality should not exceed one and half
to three per cent, according to sur
roundings. Good care, warm quarters
(well ventilated) and nourishing food
in moderate quarters have much in
fluence on these patients, and when
associated with good treatment are
generally successful in bringing about
good recovery.
No class or particular breed of horses
is exempt from influenza, yet 1 am of
the opinion that the heavier animals,
draft horses and others, plethoric and
in full flesh are more susceptible, and
seem to become more seriously affected
by it. Some authors and practitioners
claim that horses owned and kept in
the country districts do not appear
to be as good subjects as those kept in
cities, the former being kept more in
accordance with the state of nature.
My own experience, however, leads
me to doubt this statement. Animals
recently brought into our locality from
the western sections are generally
attacked soon after their arrival, or in
course of shipment, hence the term
y'ssshipping colds," as used by the
dealers, young animals seem more
susceptible than older ones, but the
older ones seem to have the disease
more severely, and are less able to en-
dure the suffering and weakness con-
sequent upon attack. When they do
take it, itseems to have more exhaust
ing and enfeebling effect upon them
in every way. Many cases l have seen
in old horses were long time con-
valescing, and not few failed to make
complete recovery, being left with
some other disease, or dying from the
disease itself.
Is this disease contagious?-Some
authors, among them Gamgee, claim
that it is; others that it is not. [ am
inclined to the latter opinion, no posi-
tive evidence having proven to me its
communicability from one animal to
another. Certain it is that it is infec-
tious, but the active principle that pro-
duces the poison or carries it from
place to place, and from stable to stable
and infects one animal, may also in
feet ten or even hundred if they
come in contact with the poison; and
vet no one diseased animal is capable
of reproducing the disease in another
when the active principle or poison is
absent.
Causation. Many theories have been
advanced as to the cause of this dis.
ease. Some claim that it is due to
ozone in the atmosphere, others that it
is due to microscopic animalcule;
others that it is due to change OF
weather, as sudden change from wet
to dry, or from heat to cold; others
that it is due to injurious noxious
gases, Various other causes have been
assigned, but all in my opinion lack
positive proof. Certain it is that what.
ever may be the case, whether exciting
or predisposing, or both, it is mater
ial one, and we'll worth of more
thorough investigation than the pro-
fession have thus far given to it, either
scientifically or practically. A disease
so prevalent as this has been for several
years past, really demands more scien-
tiic study. There is no doubt that
the conditions of the atmosphere and
certain bad surroundings seem to ex-
cite powerful influence on animals
when sick, whether they have any
effect on the production Of the disease
or not:
This Is also true in relation to the
season of the wear when the attack