REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 331 



may be brought on, which will carry off the animal. Aconite — 

 ten drops every ninety minutes — will be needed ; or extract of 

 belladonna and nitre, as recommended for pneumonia. Aconite 

 has a disadvantage of causing an abundant flow of saliva, with 

 champing of the jaws, occasioned by a peculiar sensation on the 

 tongue and fauces. Its effects, however, in careful hands, are 

 productive of great benefit. It is well that this agent should not 

 be pushed too far, and I would recommend its discontinuance 

 as soon as the more acute symptoms have subsided, following 

 up with belladonna and nitre, or opium and calomel, of each half 

 a dram, given in a bolus every three hours, about six doses of 

 which should be given. One of the best forms of medicine 

 which can be given, but whose effects require marked attention 

 is — 



Nitrate of potass 2 drams. 



Camphor 1 , , 



Powdered digitalis \ ,, 



Made into a ball, and given three or four times a day. One 

 dram of the extract of belladonna may be advantageously made 

 to take the place of camphor — or given in addition, as fancy 

 dictates ; but the rule should be, as few medicaments as possible 

 in either bolus or mixture. 



Absolute quiet is necessary, and thirst may be relieved by 

 bran water, hay tea, or plain water, with nitre or sulphates of 

 magnesia or soda dissolved in it. Soft laxative food, as bran 

 mashes, grass, turnips, carrots, or such edibles, will be needed. 

 Convalescence may be looked for in about a week, with cheerful- 

 ness, regained appetite, the animal rests well, equal temperature 

 prevails, thirst is abated, mouth moist and cool, pulse regular 

 and fuller, &c. 



Effusion, when present, will need the use of tonics and 

 stimulants, with diuretics, as aromatic spirits of ammonia, half 

 an ounce ; powdered gentian, two drams ; tincture of digitalis, 

 two drams, four times a day. In more chronic or exhausted 

 cases, these doses, except the digitalis, may be doubled, given at 

 the same time, or sulphate of iron and nitre may be given in 

 doses of two drams each, twice or three times a day. Iodine or 

 the iodide of potassium may be given with spirits and gentian. 



Sometimes the fluid is drawn off by mechanical means. An 

 instrument, having a round blade and sharp point, with a silver 

 ferrule, is introduced between the ribs, near the bottom of the 

 chest, and after withdrawing the former, the fluid escapes through 

 the tube or canal which is left for the purpose. Stimulants 

 will be required conjointly with the operation ; but in most cases 

 few survive where affairs have proceeded so far as to call for its 

 use. 



Chronic Cough frequently happens to horses after one or 



