PNEUMONIA. 491 
proceed to procure a quart of ale or wine, or spirits and water, whichever 
can be obtained the most easily. One or other of these, slightly warmed 
and spiced if possible, should be poured down his throat, which can 
readily be done, as he has no power to resist, and then in a few minutes 
he may generally be induced to move quietly on towards the nearest 
stable. Here he must remain all night if the attack is a bad one, or if 
he recovers soon he may be walked quietly home. When he reaches his 
stable he may be treated according to the directions given at page 246, 
and in the evening or the next morning early, if the pulse rises and is 
hard and jerking, he may be bled with advantage, but rarely should this 
be done for some hours after the first attack. Congestion is essentially 
produced by debility, and although an abstraction of blood relieves the 
vessels of a part of their load, it increases their weakness in a still greater 
degree, and they are less able to do their work, diminished though it may 
be, than they were before. Hundreds of over-worked horses have been 
killed by the abuse of the lancet in the hunting-field, but the principle 
on which their treatment should be conducted is better understood now 
than formerly. 
WHEN CoNnGESTION shows itself as the result of a chill, the following 
symptoms are displayed :—First and foremost there is rapid and laborious 
breathing, the horse standing with his legs wide apart, his head thrust 
straight forward, and his flanks heaving. The skin is generally dry, but 
if there is any sweat it is a cold one. The legs are icy cold, and also the 
ears. The whites of the eyes and lining of the nostrils are of a purplish 
hue, but not very deep in colour. The pulse is slightly accelerated (from 
forty to fifty), but not hard and incompressible ; and lastly, the attack is 
of recent duration. These signs, however, are not to be fully relied on 
as marking congestion rather than inflammation, without having recourse 
to an examination of the lungs by means of the ear. Placing it against 
the side of the chest, in inflammation there would be certain marked 
sounds, presently to be described, whilst in the state we are now con- 
sidering they are wholly absent, and all that is heard is the usual respi- 
ratory murmur slightly increased in intensity. It is of the utmost 
importance to make out exactly the nature of the case, for the treatment 
should be very different in congestion and inflammation. If in the former 
condition the blood can only be drawn into the skin, relief is at once 
afforded and all danger is at an end; but in the latter, though some 
slight advantage would be gained, the progress of the disease would not 
be materially checked. To produce this determination of blood to the 
skin without loss of time, is sometimes very difficult ; but by the appli- 
cation of hot water and blankets it may generally be accomplished. Two 
men, supplied with a tub of very hot water and plenty of clothing, should 
be rapid in their movements, and proceed as follows :—Have an assistant 
ready to strip the patient when ordered, then, dipping a blanket in the 
water, it is taken out and partially wrung, leaving as much water in its 
meshes as it can hold without dropping ; as soon as it is cool enough for 
the human hand to bear its pressure it should be gently, but quickly, laid 
upon the horse’s back, and the rug, which has just come off, while still 
warm, placed over it, with two or three more over all, the number 
depending upon the temperature of the air. Another smaller rug may 
in the same way be wetted and applied to the neck, covering it with two 
or three hoods, but taking care to avoid pressure upon the windpipe. 
The legs also should be wrapped in flannel bandages, made as hot as 
possible before the fire, but dry. In the course of half an hour, of the 
