622 Journal of Agriculture. [lo Oct., 1908. 



Complications and SEQUELi^. 



The most serious aspect of influenza is its liability to complications, 

 and what may appear to be a severe cold may develop into a serious attack 

 of inflammation of the lungs, intestines, or joints. In those cases where 

 inflammation of the lungs (pneumonia) supervenes, death often takes 

 place with startling suddenness. A horse that had been seen apparently 

 well a few hours previously may be found dead. The pneumonia is 

 frequently double, that is, both lungs are involved. The difficulty of 

 breathing is very pronounced. It is stated that in the present outbreak 

 the tendency to complications having their seat in the lungs is greater 

 than usual. 



In the intestinal form of the disease, in addition to the primary 

 symptoms, there is slight colic and uneasiness. The state of constipation 

 will be succeeded by diarrhoea, the faeces being watery and escaping 

 from a constantly open fundament, with much straining to evacuate. Death 

 may ensue by the third or fourth day. In a small percentage of cases 

 inflammation of the feet follows on the premonitory svmptoms and the 

 horse becomes "foundered." 



Other troubles may supervene. There may be the development of 

 abscesses about the throat, joints, or internally. Rheumatism of muscles 

 and joints, with accompanying lameness, is of frequent occurrence, and 

 swellings on head and limbs are common. Recovery, however, takes place 

 in the majority of cases if care and attention are given, the disease run- 

 ning its course in from six to ten days. 



Nursing and Medical Treatment. 



The prime essential is rest. The medical man orders the influenza 

 patient to bed immediately, and warns him against attempting to battle 

 the disease out while performing his ordinary work. So with horses : few 

 of the cases will develop into anything serious if the patients are relieved 

 of work immediately. 



During an attack of horse influenza good nursing is of supreme import- 

 ance. Unless steps are taken to insure the patient's comfort, the giving 

 of medicine will be futile. He should, therefore, be placed in a roomv, 

 well ventilated, but warm box. with plenty of bedding, and should be well 

 ■clothed and bandaged. Plenty of pure water to drink, frequently offered 

 in a clean bucket, is desirable. A teaspoonful of saltpetre or of chlorate 

 of potash may be dissolved in each half-bucket of water. Greenstuff, if 

 available, should be presented in an appetizing manner. Gruel, milk with 

 •eggs beaten up, linseed or hay tea, boiled oats or barley — in fact, anything 

 that will tempt the patient to eat — should be offered. Only small quanti- 

 ties of food should be offered at a time, and any food that is not imme- 

 diately eaten should be taken away. Nothing nauseates a horse quicker 

 than allowing stale or mouthed food to remain in front of him when he has 

 no desire for it. 



As a homely and readily available remedy, three ounces of whisky four 

 times a day, with one drachm of quinine in it twice a dav, may be given. 

 An ounce of sweet spirit of nitre may be substituted for the whisky. When 

 ■convalescent, one drachm of extract of gentian may be substituted for the 

 quinine. In a simple case, inhalations of hot water vapours (steam), into 

 which a little eucalyptus oil has been introduced, is good. A stimulating 

 linimf^nt applied to the throat will be serviceable. In cases where there 

 is difficulty in swallowing, medicine in the liquid form should not be given. 



