“The Epidemic Zymotic Diseases of 
Animals and how they are Com- 
municated to Man.” 
v / BY 
,T. A. GRANT. M.D., F.R.CiP. Lond., 
Consulting Physician General Hospital, 
and to County of Carleton Pro- 
testant Hospital, &c. 
Ottawa. 
Annual Address read before The Medico- 
Chirurgical Society, Ottawa, Nov. /S8j. Reprinted from “The Canada Lancet," 
Toronto, Dec., iSSj. 
THE EPIDEMIC ZYMOTIC DISEASES OF ANIMALS 
AND HOW THEY ARE COMMUNICATED 
TO MAN. 
BY J. A. GRANT, M. D., F.R.C.P., Loud. 
Consulting Physician General Hospital, and to County of Carlelon Protestant 
Hospital, &*c. Ottawa. 
Gentlemen,—With your kind permission, I will digress from the 
usual path in delivering an annual address on the progress of medical 
science, and confine the few observations I have now to offer to “The 
Epidemic Zymotic Diseases of Animals, and How they are Communi- 
cated to Man.” For many years, while directing some little attention 
to Natural History, I have noted points in pathological anatomy closely 
allied with the diseased manifestations in the “genus homo,” and being 
a wide field for the practical exercise of pathological research, I felt 
confident such would not be uninteresting to the members of our 
Society. The subject is one of vast importance to our common 
country, inasmuch as it involves millions, in our live stock, irrespective 
of its scientific aspect. Endemic and epidemic diseases are not alone 
confined to the human species, but extend alike to animals, and the 
manifestations are doubtless of peculiar interest. The analogy is so 
close that they are designated by the same names. Several are 
propagated in the human organism, and many present pathological 
information of great importance. The late Dr. Farr, of England, 2 
DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
specified these as diseases which distinguish one country from another, 
and whose occurrence form epochs in chronology. The exact cause of 
these diseases, although not positively known, is supposed in the animal 
organisms to act like a ferment, hence the term “Zymotic.” According 
to the most recent enquiries the generation of “ organic germs,’’ 
originate in the individual, or by fermentation in the diseased excretions 
of the organism, and thus transmitted through various media from body 
to body, at sensible and insensible distances. 
It is a well recognized fact that the death rate, in almost every 
country, from such sources of disease, is very considerable. The result 
of literally packing animals together, which can doubtless be scarcely 
avoided, as in the trains of our various railroads, cannot escape the 
attention of the most ordinary observer. The atmospheric signal is 
perfect in its way. Thus infection rapidly spreads, where diseased germs 
exist, and the consequences are frequently most serious. According to 
Prof. Law, since 1842, England has lost over 450 millions of dollars 
through the contagion of cattle imported from the Continent. The 
stamping out process by slaughtering all the diseased cattle, and thorough 
disinfection afterwards, and the exclusion of all diseased animals from 
the country, has been productive of the best results. Diseased germs 
are doubtless the very foundation of the diseases of animals, and the 
early recognition of incipient development is of vast importance. Dis- 
eases in animals are divided into two classes : the Exotic or uncommon, 
and the indigenous or common. Of the first class, we have small-pox in 
sheep and birds, Pleuro-pneumonia of cattle, Rinderpest, Malignant dis- 
eases of the generative organs of the horse kind, Malignant cholera of 
animals, Apthous fever, known as foot and mouth disease. Of the 
second class, or indigenous diseases, belong Glanders, Rabies, Contagious 
foot rot, Tuberculosis, Malignant Anthrax, Hog cholera, or intestinal 
fever of swine, Influenza, Strangles, Canine distemper, and Horse pox, 
seen in the cow, goat, and pig. In each of these diseases there is a 
zymotic influence at work, precisely as in the development of disease in 
our own species. Hippocrates, in his time, enunciated clearly the 
influence of impurity in air, soil or water, as factors in the development 
of disease zymotic in character. The impurity of soil has much to do 
with the production of disease, in both milk and meat, thus influencing 
the human family and spreading the germs of disease of a most serious 
character. The death rate in man and animal, from foul stock yards, DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
3 
and filthy alleys in towns and cities, is much greater than the public are 
aware of. Disease may remain endemic, or spread by animal transpor- 
tation, hence the vast importance of strict cleanliness and quarantine 
measures, so as, if possible, to stamp out individual cases. The chief 
epidemic which has occasionally influenced Canadian cattle-trade is 
pleuro-pneumonia, and the rapidity with which such has been checked, 
through isolation and disinfection, is creditable to the agricultural 
departments in the Local and General Governments. Until recently 
there has been greater attention bestowed upon the arrest of disease in 
animals than in man, as far as Governments were concerned. Happily 
now, however, matters are undergoing a change, and sanitary legislation 
is attracting a greater degree of attention from the powers that be. 
“The Contagious Pneumonia of Cattle” has been noted several 
times in Canada, although not to any great extent. It has on several 
occasions been introduced into the United States, by the importation 
of foreign stock. In order to avoid any such dissemination of disease, 
a most careful system of quarantine is now adopted by the Canadian 
authorities. The period of latency of the poison of pleuro-pneumonia 
in the system, is from two to six weeks, at which time it is developed 
with all the well-defined symptoms of pneumonia. The death rate 
averages between 50 and 60 per cent. In this disease the poison is 
exceedingly subtle, virulent and most readily communicated. I have 
more than once noted epidemic pneumonia in the inhabitants of this 
district, most rapid in character, and arrested with considerable difficulty. 
Treatment in either case can only be undertaken with thorough seclusion 
and disinfection. The early recognition of this disease is important, in 
order that animals thus affected should not be slaughtered for sale. 
Rinderpest, or Russian Cattle Plague, is a most contagious disease 
amongst animals of the same species. Its chief characteristic is the 
manner in which the mucous membranes assume a congested state, 
involving also the lining membrane of the stomach and bowels, 
associated with a high temperature and extensive desquamation of both 
skin and mucous membrane. So far, little indeed is known of this 
disease in Canada, the protection against which is strict quarantine and 
destruction of the infected animals. 
Foot and mouth disease, or Apthous Fever, is a species of 
contagious eruptive disease, confined chiefly to cloven-footed animals, 
and has been known to extend to man. This disease is usually ushered 4 
DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
in by a rise in temperature and a general feeling of discomfort, and 
within a day or two is followed by large blisters on the mucous mem- 
brane of the mouth, tongue, fauces, udders, and the parts in and about 
the clefts of the hoofs. It has been known to follow armies, and is said 
to be exceedingly communicable. The contagious disease is spread 
much more by contact than by the atmosphere. Milk from such 
diseased animals is often carried to individuals, the infant most 
frequently coming in for its share of the diseased influence. Soreness 
and otherwise unaccountable lameness in cattle, is a most significant 
indication, when associated with an apthous state of either the tongue 
or fauces. Thorough disinfection is here also necessary, and ablution 
with carbolic acid lotion, with isolation for io or 15 days after the 
disappearance of the disease. 
A case is recently recorded in a German veterinary journal, where 
a veterinary surgeon contracted foot and mouth disease from a pocket- 
handkerchief he had used while examining beasts suffering from this 
disease. The next day he was seized with a violent headache and pains 
in his limbs, high fever and a feeling of irritation in his hands and feet. 
On the third day the fever subsided, and there appeared an eruption of 
an apthous character on the tongue, lips, mouth, and edge of the nose. 
After eight days the various symptoms subsided without any serious 
consequences. 
Epizoo, or epizooty, otherwise known as influenza or horse epidemic, 
has prevailed to a considerable extent on both sides of the Atlantic, 
extending at the same time to man and beast. In 1881 quite a severe 
epidemic of that character was experienced in various parts of Canada, 
and many fine animals fell victims to the subsequent pneumonic action 
which frequently followed. Such epidemics are not of frequent occur- 
rence. The exact cause, although attributed to atmospheric, electrical 
and other agencies, is still a matter of considerable doubt. So far the 
two freest portions of Canada from this disease, and chiefly owing to 
their sequestered character, are Prince Edward Island and Vancouver 
Island. Absolute quarantine, across large bodies of water, is said to be 
one of the best means of preventing the spread of this disease. 
Intestinal Fever of Swine, misnamed Hog Cholera, is a disease 
which, to a moderate extent, has visited this neighborhood during the 
present season, and several fine animals have fallen victims to its 
influence. According to Prof. Law, “this disease is attended by con- DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
5 
gestion, exudation, blood extravasations in the mucous membrane of 
the stomach and bowels, by general heat, and redness of the surface, 
and by the appearance on the skin of spots and patches of a scarlet, 
purple, or black color. The animals had not been dead over ten or 
twelve hours when the whole mucous and muscular coats of the large 
intestines became black, and easily lacerated from incipient mortifica- 
tion.” The chief cause of this disease, is supposed to be swill stuff of 
breweries and distilleries fed to these animals, crowded together in a 
crowded space, and an exceedingly impure atmosphere. It is said to 
be infectious, and spreads rapidly from animal to animal. Much good 
could be accomplished by the most thorough investigation of this 
disease. 
Pork, in its various forms, as an article of diet, is in very general 
use, thus the diseases of the hog play an important part in relation to 
public health. Parasites, although not zymotic in character, infest the 
flesh of this animal, are exceedingly important, inasmuch as they fre- 
quently produce very serious disturbances of the system. The parasites 
are theTrichina Spiralis, the Cysticercus Cellulose, and the Echinococcus. 
Very few cases of Trichinosis have, so far, been noted in the Dominion, 
and up to the present, only number sixteen. We are more fortunate 
than in Germany, where epidemics from this cause are of frequent 
occurrence, chiefly owing to some forms of sausages largely used by the 
masses in a partially cooked condition. Trichinae, as a rule, are killed 
by perfect cooking, the safest plan by far, when this form of meat is 
used. Measley pork contains the immature form of one of the tapeworms 
of man, which originates in the parasite known as the Cysticercus 
Cellulosoe. This condition of pork is frequently seen in our markets, but 
it is not as serious in its consequences as trichina. The two most fre- 
quent forms of tapeworm in Canada are the Taenia Solium and Taenia 
Saginata—the former from measley pork, and the latter from measley veal 
or beef. Tapeworm from beef is generally the result of partial cooking, 
just as in the case of pork. Raw material in either instance favors the 
life of the parasite, and hence the subsequent trouble. 
The appearance of Echinococcus disease in man is, according to 
present records, exceedingly rare in Canada, as up to the present time 
only 8 or io cases are known. The liver with these cysts is unfit for 
food ; not, however, the flesh, from which they may be removed when 
not numerous, and the carcass be still fit for use as food. 6 
DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMAI.S TO MAN. 
Glanders, or Farcy, requires more than a passing notice from its 
importance, and the fact of its fatality when communicated to man from 
the horse, marking its contagious febrile character. Its chief specific 
peculiarities are inflammatory lesions of the nasal and respiratory 
mucous membranes, lymphatic vessels and glands, marked constitutional 
depression, and frequently actompanied with a pustular cutaneous 
eruption. Glanders and Farcy are really one and the same disease, the 
affection of the respiratory mucous membrane is followed by implication 
of the lymphatics. Glanders in man is very rare. Last July a case was 
recorded in the Montreal general hospital, under Dr. Geo. Ross, which 
was well defined, and terminated fatally. So far we have no positive 
case originating in man, and it is always communicated by direct inocu- 
lation of virus from the diseased animal. It is somewhat common with 
horses, and is known to spread rapidly, and, by some, it is maintained 
that it possesses “ a volatile infecting principle,” the period of incubation 
varying from three to eight days, and sometimes even to three weeks. 
The longer the incubation, the less acute the disease, as a rule. Its 
symptoms, as a whole, frequently simulate acute rheumatism. Some 
cases have ended fatally in one week, but, in the usual acute form, the 
average duration is about sixteen days, but, occasionally it will be pro- 
tracted for several weeks, and even months, under which circumstances 
the prospect of recovery is favorable. The wound through which the 
poison is admitted becomes inflamed, tense, painful, and usually has an 
erysipelatous circumference. The ulcer enlarges, presents a chancroid 
aspect, discharging sanious, offensive matter, and the lymphatic vessels 
around present a knotted, cord-like, irregularly, nodulated condition, 
known in man as the farcy buds. According to Virchow, resolution and 
absorption occasionally take place, but more frequently deep-seated 
abscesses form, and constitutional symptoms, indicating a low type. 
Within the first or second day of this disease (and sometimes longer) 
scattered collections of red spots appear on the skin, small, and resem- 
bling flea bites, subsequently they become papular, and elevated above the 
skin like small shot, and assume a yellow color. They are considered 
as due to the deposit of some neoplastic material, which gradually softens 
and becomes disintegrated. They subsequently become vesicular, or 
sero-purulent with inflamed bases. Otherwise, various modifications of 
character have been noted, of minor importance. The mucous mem- 
branes, particularly that of the nose, become affected, and, in fact, sub- DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
7 
ject to specific inflammation and ulceration. Both in man and horse, 
the disease is supposed to originate by the application of the virus to the 
nose mucous membrane. The disease is liable to extend to the bron- 
chial and pulmonary tissues generally. Rheumatism, typhoid fever, 
pyaemia, syphilis, and tuberculosis have all been mistaken for glanders. 
Thorough disinfection—isolation —destruction of stalls and harness, are 
all necessary to arrest the disease. So far, recorded cases point out that 
recoveries from this malady are rare, particularly in the acute form. The 
pre-eminently debilitating character of this disease indicates a stimula- 
ting, soothing, and supporting treatment. Inhalation of iodine and 
carbolic acid are strongly recommended, and thorough syringing of the 
nose with Condy’s fluid, (solution) carbolic acid lotion, or iodised water, 
all of which have been found productive of beneficial results. 
Dr. Kitt, of Berlin, has recently examined the material taken from 
a “ farcy bud ” after the hair had Seen carefully shaved off, and the skin 
thoroughly washed with mercuric chloride. The contents of the bud 
brought in contact with blood serum, and on the 3rd or 4th day, isolated 
yellow points appeared, which soon increased in size, that on examination 
and most careful experiment, proved to be true glanders bacilli.. These 
bacilli are somewhat smaller than those of tuberculosis, but are a little 
thicker and color easily in methylviolet. Rabbits, inoculated with pure 
cultivations of these bacilli, produced beyond a doubt, nasal and pul- 
monary glanders, demonstrated by subsequent microscopical examina- 
tion. 
There are various other forms of diseases which attack man and 
beast much in the same manner, such as cerebro-spinal meningitis, 
known as blind staggers, anthrax, and tuberculosis. As time, however, 
will not admit of particulars on these various subjects, I shall now offer 
a few notes on tuberculosis, as this disease is one attracting very great 
interest. Dr. Bell, the able editor of the Sanitarian (N. Y.) 1877 
August, published an article on “Tuberculosis in milch cows, and the? 
Contagiousness of Tuberculosis by the Digestive Organs.” He states, 
that according to various experiments performed in Germany and other 
parts, tuberculosis may be induced in various domestic animals by feed- 
ing them with tubercular matter, with flesh of tuberculous animals, and 
even with the milk of tuberculous cows, and he concludes by the very 
cogent question : may not the like effects result from the use of such 
food in the human species ? Through the kindness of an offal contractor 8 
DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
in Brooklyn, he made various post mortem examinations of cows, and in 
several instances demonstrated beyond a doubt, the existence of tuber- 
culosis of the lungs in these animals. He states that the milk of cows 
affected with that disease is likely to induce tuberculosis in the child, 
and usually commencing as intestinal catarrh. 
The recent observations' of Mr. Heard, M.R.C.V.S., of New 
Port, demonstrate that the bacillus tuberculosis of man is the same as 
the bacillus tuberculosis of bovines. The cultivated tuberculosis of man, 
when introduced into cattle by inoculation, results in tuberculosis. 
Milk from tuberculous animals does not contain the bacillus tuber- 
culosis, and cannot produce the disease unless the udder itself is the 
seat of tuberculosis, which is frequently the case. There are many 
recorded cases which prove that tuberculosis is a very infectious disease, 
transmissible from man to man and from animal to man. Fully one- 
seventh of the human family death rate, is from tuberculosis, hence the 
vast importance of the most careful enquiry as to all circumstances con- 
nected with the development of this disease. 
Typhoid fever is well known to be promoted by impure milk, as in 
the epidemic pointed out by I)r. Ballard, of Islington. The subject is 
one deserving of every consideration, and in the hands of the physician, 
much good may be accomplished by actively directed endeavors, and 
much practical benefit will doubtless spring from the wide-spread 
thoughtfulness now to be observed in various parts of the Dominion, as 
to the necessity and value of hygienic measures. According to Dr» 
Bowditch, there are more than “two hundred thousand human beings 
slaughtered annuallyjin the United States by preventable diseases.” May 
we not ask what is the death rate from such in Canada? The climate 
of Canada is certainly conducive to health, still there is ample room for 
the exercise of sanitary measures in order to stamp out such epidemics 
as greatly increase the death rate, and bring ruin to once flourishing 
commercial interests. 
As to diseases in animals, the members of our profession hold 
great power in their own hands. We have observed how disease may 
spread from the lower species to the human family, and engender 
trouble and suffering, much of which, through careful observation and 
moderate direction, might be obviated. The English and French 
schools of the past, as well as the present, have worked nobly with a 
benevolent and philanthropic object in view, giving such light to DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
9 
science and the world as the people of our age enjoy. What illustrious 
names have we in John Hunter, Jenner, Bichat, Corvisart, Audral, Louis, 
Pasteur, Koch, and Sanderson, whose labors in comparative pathology 
have formed the very basis of modern thought, in both physiology and 
morbid anatomy. Buckle says, that “ between Bichat and Aristotle ‘ I 
know no middle man.’” As for Hunter, like the meteoric light, his 
intellectual power flashed as the product of his century, and he certainly 
possessed a rare genius which could not fail to impress the age in which 
he flourished. 
From the various facts coming under our observation as to the 
spread of disease, does it not appear reasonable there should be some 
degree of inspection as to both milk and meat, by the proper sanitary 
authorities, in order to guard more thoroughly the public interest. In 
Germany such is most rigidly canied into operation, and no meat is 
offered for sale until first reported upon in the abattoir by the scientific 
pathologist, and thus a good work is accomplished. 
In conclusion let me say, I hold it to be the duty of every member 
of the profession in our city to connect himself with our society, to 
attend its meetings as often as practicable, and to contribute each year 
a few facts, at least, to our transactions. Thus our profession affords 
ample scope for the exercise of individuality. No one man knows all 
minds, and delicate shadings of disease, which may escape one 
individual, may be grasped by another, and thus we are enabled to 
reciprocate nature’s power, and place on record the daily observations 
of life’s duty. Practitioners in rural districts, contrasting their opportu- 
nities with the larger sphere of hospital city work, may erroneously 
conclude that no new discovery can possibly be made in such a line of 
thought and practice. A single fact, however humble, is a valuable 
contribution to science, and such may as well be observed in country 
as city. What a blessing it would be if some rural practitioner could 
possibly define the exact cause of diphtheritic epidemics of recent origin 
at Chelsea, Ironsides, and Montebello. Pure air, fresh water, and 
nourishing diet in abundance, and yet this dire disease and its marked 
fatality. The death rate in the Gatineau country within the past few 
years from this disease, has certainly been very great. 
There are difficulties to contend against in our profession, not 
greater, however, than in the performance of any work, worthy of our 
very best efforts. Our number in this city is not great, and there is an 10 
DISEASES COMMUNICATED FROM ANIMALS TO MAN. 
earnestness of work of a most commendable character. A few 
remain in a measure, outside our medical gatherings, the loss being truly 
theirs. The sympathetic power which unites us, assists in the develop- 
ment of intellectual activity and vigor. Years are rapidly passing on, 
and the connecting link will sever. We have the pleasing gratification 
of knowing that our efforts have not been altogether unsuccessful. 
Genius will raise one man in a million above his fellows. But, alter all, 
“genius is an infinite capacity for taking pains.” 
Whatever the advantages may be, whether at the rural fireside or 
the city hospital, there are rare opportunities of doing good. Let the 
work be carefully and conscientiously performed, with painstaking 
application, and, rely upon it, the reward will come. Thanking you in 
an especial manner for my reappointment to the presidency of the society 
for the coming year, let me invite your hearty co-operation in the noble 
work placed in our hands.