South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-30
EQUINE FLU AND
SPANISH FLU Of
SIMILAR BREEDS
Resemble Each Other in Many
important Points But of
Different Family.

Although the serious epidemic Of
influenza now affecting the human
family has no relation TO tho disease
Of the same name which affects
horses. specialists Of the United
states department Of agriculture
point out resem bIauce OF svup-
toms and course OF the disease In
each instance
According 20 the department, in
9uenza among horses al the present
time is under better control in all
sections of the country than ever
before. This results almost entirely
from the work Of the federal au-
thorities in combating the pest
Equine influenza is a common dis
ease in the large cities Of the coun-
try. affecting horses which pass
through infected stables Of dealers.
Only. however, under certain in
9uences not understood and when
large numbers OF horses in COM
mercial channels are exposed TO con
tagion. does Il assume an enzooIic
or epizoOtic form. Unlike certain
other infectious diseases. one attack
OF influenza does not grant 81 lasting
immunity. However. previous at
tack or attacks or other unassigna-
BILE reasons apparently make old
horses less susceptible than young
ones.
An Old Disease Of Horses.
History indicates that this disease
has been recognized i'm various oJt-
past Even before the Christian Ira.
severe epizOOtic believed TO be in
huenza. is recorded as having oc-
Cured in Sicily. and again in 4 d.
1901 IL spread over "a considera ble
portion OF italy. causing great loss
among the war horses OF Rome. Tn
1913 the disease affected Germany
and spread 20 other parts OF Europe,
and in 1711 Il followed the tracks
OF the great armies all over Europe,
causing immense losses among the
horses. other extensive outbreaks
obtained at intervals from 1913 to
1888. one OF which was that of
tS7O-73. in connection with the
Franco-Prussian war. The first re-
corded appearance Of equine infuen-
"a in North America was in 1855.
Probably the most severe outbreak,
however. was that of 1S7O-72. when
it spread over the entire country
from Canada. south 20 Ohio, and
then eastward TO the Atlantic coast
and westward TO California. although
the severity OF the outbreak of 1870
on should not be overlooked. In
these epizootics. there was a heavy
loss of horses. and being prior 10
introduction OF the motor truck in
city commerce. business in the great
commercial centers Of the country
was seriously inconvenienced, and in
some cases practically suspended for
lack OF available horses.
Like the influenza epidemics in
he human family. epiZootiCs of
equine influenza are difficult 10 con-
troll. The true primary cause of the
disease has not been established.
Tough il is generally believed 20 be
due 20 specific germ. too small 10
ue detected under the highest power
microscope r. certainly has The
characteristic OF extreme dinusibu-
itv. leading 20 spread of disease over
large area OF the country IN few
days. the outbreak running its course
despite an efforts 90 prevent It, and
-he infection gradually suhSidine
without aSsignab BILE cause
symptoms Of the Malady
The symptoms are those of fever.
fn some eases preceded hy a chill
There is great prostratiou and de-
preston q muscular force. the WISH
Hle lucous membranes. especially
chose Of the eve. become a deep SAT-
-rou ocher. or violet red color from