INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. IS"? 



emetic tartar, and nitre : they also very considerably lower the pulse, and 

 they are safe. 



It is of importance that we determine the blood, or a portion of it, froin 

 the inflamed and over distended part to some other region. On this princt- 

 ple we warmly clothe the horse labouring under this disease, that we may 

 cause the blood to circulate freely through the vessels of the skin, and that 

 we may keep up the insensible perspiration, and perhaps produce some 

 Sweating. But do we put the horse in a warm place? No; for then we 

 should bring the heated and poisoned air in contact with the inflamed lungs, 

 and increase the excitement, already too great. It is an absurd practice to 

 shut up every door and window, and exclude, if possible, every breath ol 

 air; rather let every door and window be thrown open, and let pure and 

 cold air find access to these heated parts. It is interesting to see how 

 eagerly the horse avails himself of the relief which this affords him. If 

 no direct draft blows upon him, he can scarcely be placed in too cool a box. 



Now and then the whole skin of the horse may be rubbed with the brush, 

 if it does not teaze and hurry him; but it is indispensable that the legs 

 should be frequently and well hand-rubbed to restore the circulation in them, 

 and they should be covered with thick flannel bandages. As to food, we do 

 not want him to take any at first, and most certainly the horse should not 

 be coaxed to eat. A very small quantity of hay may be given to amuse 

 him, or a cold mash, or green meat, but not a particle of corn. 



In eight-and-forty hours the fate of the patient will generally be decided. 

 If there be no remission of symptoms, the inflammation will run on to 

 congestion of the lungs, and consequent suffocation, or to gangrene. We 

 must in this case, give the medicines more frequently ; repeat the blister ; 

 bleed, if the state of the animal will bear it ; and rub the legs, or even scald 

 them. If the strength now rapidly declines, the horse may be drenched 

 with gruel, and tonic medicine may be tried, as camomile at first, and 

 this not recalling or increasing the fever, a little ginger and gentian may 

 be added. 



Should the heaving gradually subside, and the legs get warm, and the 

 horse lie down, and the inflammation be apparently subsiding, let not the 

 owner or the practitioner be in too great haste to get the animal well. 

 Nature will slowly, but surely and safely, restore the appetite and strength ; 

 and it is very easy to bring back the malady in all its violence by attempt- 

 ing to hurry her. The food should be the same, cold mashes, green meat, 

 or a little hay, if green meat cannot be procured, and thin gruel drunk 

 from the pail, not given as a drench. Should the horse be very weak, or 

 scarcely eat, tonics may be tried. The way should be felt very cautiously 

 with the camomile, and the sedative medicine again be resorted to if there 

 be the slightest return of fever. To the camomile, the gentian and ginger 

 may be gradually added, but no mineral tonic. After a while, hay may be 

 offered, and a little corn, and the horse be sufTered very gradually to return 

 to his former habits. 



The causes of inflammation of the lungs are changes from cold to heat, 

 or heat to cold ; exposure to cold while the horse is hot ; washing with cold 

 water immediately after exercise ; sudden exposure to cold, after coming 

 from a very hot stable; frequent checks while hunting; travelling in tlie 

 face of a cold wind ; the transference of general fever to the lungs, pre- 

 viously disposed to inflammation from the usual stable management ; and 

 neglected catarrh, or catarrh treated with stimulants instead of cooling 

 medicmes. Any change from heat to cold, or from cold to heat, will pro 

 Huce it ^most with equal certainty ; the removal from a warm stable to a 

 cold one, or from a cold one to a warmer ; from grass to the stable, antl 



