■g4 Inflammation of the Lungf, 



there be any moisture or even softness of the surface, we may com- 

 monly pronounce a favourable prognosis of the disease. If the 

 couo-h, nevertheless, should be frequent ai!d distressing, the quan^ 

 tity of opium in each ball may be increased to half a drachm. And, 

 as it frequently happens, that the coUgh is kept up by inflammation 

 of the Larynx^ or top of the wind-pipe, which, is, on that account 

 hio'hly irritable and susceptible of the influence of cold air, a blister 

 should be applied round the throat, as high up as the roots of the 

 ears, and about three inches down the neck, in the course of the 

 wind-pipe. A perspirable or even a soft state of the skin is certainly 

 a frreat desideratum in this disease, and whether it take place spon- 

 taneously, or be the effect of measures taken to induce it, is always 

 salutary to the animal. But, I cannot help considering some of the 

 means recommended in books, with the view of promoting this desi- 

 rable condition of the surface, as favouring either of mystery or 

 .superstition. Such, for instance, as covering the animal with the 

 skins of sheep newly kiUed; which practice is always attended with a 

 dtceptive appearance of advantage, on account of the moisture that is 

 iound under the sheep-skin, and is supposed to arise from the perspi- 

 ration of the living animal. — But a little reflection must shew, that no 

 favourable inference ought to be drawn from the presence of this 

 moisture, inasmuch, as a good deal rviW continue to ooze from the 

 sheep-skin, in consequence of the temperature to which it is exposed, 

 and its close adhesion to the skin of the Horse, after the living prin- 

 cipal has forsaken it. This, however, is not all, for, it must be equally 

 evident, that as no evaporation can take place of the fluid, which has 

 been exuded, under the circustances that have been stated, it must 

 continue to remain upon the skin of the Horses, an'" aus '^ ' " -' • 



