HORSE SICKNESS.

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 5153, 21 December 1903, Page 7

HORSE SICKNESS.

PRESS ASSOCIATION. CHRISTCHURCH. December 19. Mr C. J. Eeakes, Acting-Chief : Government/Veterinarian, in the absence of Mr Gilruth, visited Christchurch yesterday to specially inquire into the disease reported among horses. When interviewed Mr Reakos stated that some excitement seemed to have arisen from the use of the term pink-eye, but the disease was influenza. In examining some of the sick horses he saw seme signs of an appearance which led to the term, pink-eye being applied to it, while others showed symptoms of the disease in a mildor fonn. He had heard of only one death from the disease. There was absolutely no reason' to believe that the outbreak at Christchurch was due to the importation of the infection from South Africa or America. Mr Reakes said ho had been in New Zealand for nearly seven years, and had seen similar cases of influenzaamong horSea at various times during that period. They were exactly the same as the cases ho saw that day. There was nothing new about, the disease. He had never before seen so many horses attacked in one stable. The position, however, was easily explained by the fact that the stable had became infected, and a largo number of horses had been gathered together there, giving the disease an opportunity to become well established before 7) roper stops could be taken to prevent its snread. Ho said there waa no need for alarm. From his experience he could eay that strangles, which nobody seemed to worry, about, caused ten times more trouble among homes than influenza, >