136 MECHANICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL REST 



allowed to lie long on his side is apt to suffer from congested 

 lungs or even hypostatic pneumonia. The horse with 

 severely injured knees is advantageously placed in slings. 

 The cow, in the unconscious stage of milk fever, if permitted 

 to lie on her side, speedily becomes tympanitic, and her 

 chances of recovery are seriously impaired. In this and other 

 cases, in which she has to lie even for a few hours, she must 

 be propped up in a natural position on her breast-bone. 



Mechanical and physiological rest are great restoratives. 

 The pain accompanying most injuries and diseases, and 

 greatly aggravated by performance of the natural functions 

 of the part, instinctively enjoins as much rest as possible. 

 Mechanical rest is frequently secured by splints and band- 

 ages, applied in all animals in cases of fractures of long bones 

 of the limbs, and serious muscular and tendinous strains. 

 Slings are also of similar service in horses suffering from 

 fractures, open joint, and occasionally in laminitis. An 

 inflamed part, when practicable, should be raised above the 

 level of surrounding parts. Any pressure likely to interfere 

 with circulation should be removed. To relieve irritation, 

 pressure, and tension', the inflamed udder of the cow is 

 suspended. In irritable and inflammatory states of the 

 digestive organs, the simplest and most digestible food is 

 given, and as little action as possible exacted from the 

 stomach and bowels. When the kidneys are diseased, their 

 work should be lightened, by promoting the action of the 

 skin and bowels. Emollients and demulcents, as well as 

 opium, belladonna, and other agents which paralyse the 

 endings of sensory nerves, exert their curative effects mainly 

 by ensuring physiological rest. But when acute disease has 

 passed away, the gradual use of an affected part generally 

 does good. Exercise in such circumstances proves a health 

 restorer, improving appetite, and stimulating most of the 

 bodily functions. 



The medicinal restoratives in common use are as follows : 

 Linseed, in the form of gruel, tea, or cake, proves a soothing, 

 palatable, digestible, laxative combination of food and medi- 

 cine. Cod-liver oil, especially in dogs and cats, conveniently 

 supplies assimilable fatty matters. Iron salts, possessing 

 tonic and haematinic, as well as restorative properties, are 



