INFLUENZA IN HORSES.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 12635, 21 December 1903, Page 3

INFLUENZA IN HORSES.

[press association.] CHRISTCHURCH, Sunday, - Mr C. J. Reakes, who is acting as Chief Government Veterinarian during Mr Gilruth’s absence in Australia, visited Christchurch yesterday specially to inquire into the disease among local horses. Interviewed, he stated that some excitement seemed to have arisen from the use of the term pink-eye, but that the disease was influenza. In examining sick horses he •.aw some exhibiting an appearance which led to the term pink-eye being applied to them, while others showed symptoms of disease in a milder form. He had heard of only one death from the disease. There was absolutely no reason for believing that the outbreak in Christchurch was due to the importation of infection from South Africa or America. The disease had been in New Zealand for nearly seven years. He had seen similar cases of influenza among horses at various times since he arrived in Hie colony. They were exactly the same as the cases which ho saw yesterday. There was nothing new about the disease. He had not before seen so many horses attacked in one stable. The position, however, was easily explained by the fact that the stable became infected, and a large number of horses had been gathered together there, 1 giving the disease an opportunity to become well established before proper steps could be taken to prevent further trouble. There was no need for alarm. From his experience he could say that strangles, which nobody seemed to worry about, caused ten times more trouble among horses than influenza.

With reference to the reported outbreak of pink-eye among horses in the South Island, Mr G. P. Donnelly has received the following telegram from the Right Honourable R. J. Seddon: — “Have received the following telegram from the Hon. the Minister for Lands: ‘ln regard to the alleged outbreak of pink-eye amongst horses at Christchurch, Charlton, M.R.C.V.S., Government veterinarian there, wires as follows: “Newspaper report is rubbish, based on ignorance. Typical influenza has been fairly prevalent during last couple of months, and is of usual benign character. No cause whatever for alarm.” 9 ” It may be pointed out, with regard to the Premier’s message, that the newspaper reports have been founded on statements made by veterinary surgeons.