"The Devastating Impact of the 1872 Epizootic on Civilization"

In late 1872, an epizootic, or horse flu, swept through North America, causing a significant disruption to urban life as horses fell ill and were unable to work. Cities struggled to deliver goods and transport people, with some resorting to human-powered alternatives. The epidemic, which started in Canada and spread south, affected not only working-class horses but also valuable ones, leading to debates about the replacement of horses with mechanical contrivances for urban transportation. The situation also highlighted issues of animal welfare and the treatment of working horses during the 19th century.