Pneumonia 5 



o 



ease than any other membrane of the body. This is one of the diseases 

 that the inexperienced may be likely to believe there is not much wrong 

 with the horse because he does not go through such symptoms as are 

 manifest in colic. The disease is usually ushered in by a chill. The 

 fever may reach 105 degrees, and last 5 or 6 days and falls quite rapidly. 

 Muscular weakness is in evidence and the horse usually stands with 

 the front legs spread apart. The appetite is diminished but seldom 

 entirely lost. The membranes of the nostrils are red. The mouth is 

 hot and often sticky. The horse drinks an excessive amount of water. 

 The breathing is rapid and a rusty to yellow discharge comes from the 

 nostrils. Crackling sounds not unlike that of crushed paper in the hand 

 can be heard by placing the ear to the sides of the lung cavity and often 

 by rubbing the sides of the chest with the hand. Death or recovery oc- 

 curs within 10 days to 3 weeks. 



TREATMENTS 



The practice of keeping the horse out doors when the weather will 

 permit with sufficient blankets to prevent chilling is gaining a number of 

 followers in late years. This practice has for its foundation the fact 

 that the germs of the disease do not thrive well in the presence of pure 

 air hence when air is taken into the lungs in the pure state it retards 

 the development of the disease. To say the least pure air is by far better 

 in such a case than a poorly ventilated stable or one having drafts. 



Constipation generally accompanies fevers, for that reason feed the 

 horse from the beginning of the case laxative feeds such as bran and oil 

 meal mashes, scalded oats (allowed to cool), clover hay that has been 

 properly cured and if the horse will drink it as much as 3 gallons of 

 milk a day. If the horse does not eat foods placed before him in a 

 reasonable time remove them. Do not drench with foods. If the facili- 

 ties are at hand and the weather will permit, ring hot blankets out of 

 hot water, apply by bandanging to the sides of the chest and over the 

 withers and cover with a dry heavy blanket to hold in the heat. As the 

 wet blankets cool off ring them out and apply hot again. Continue 

 this for two hours and rub dry with alcohol. 



Unless conditions are ideal for such a treatment as to drafts and 

 drying without taking more cold it is best to omit it. 



Take pure finely ground mustard, mix enough water to make a 

 paste, rub the sides and base of the chest that enclose the sides well with 



