220 CHAPTER 22. 



application ; but if the mustard seed is purchased whole and then ground, 

 about two thirds of that quantity will be sufficient. In these cases, how- 

 ever, as in most others, much must be left to the discretion of the attend- 

 ant, who ought to watch the symptoms and the effect produced. The skin 

 of some horses is much more easily acted on than that of others. 



As the disease progresses, it is of the utmost consequence to sustain 

 the strength of the patient as far as possible by giving him soft nutritious 

 food, by most attentive nursing, and by warmth applied to the body by 

 means of clothing, <kc. 



It is necessary to call the particular attention of the reader to the 

 distinction in regard to diet which exists between the premonitory and 

 the later stages of the attack. In the former the patient must be deprived 

 of all corn and fed on laxative diet. Such timely measures, combined 

 with a loose box, will probably ward off the impending attack, or at least 

 prevent its becoming serious ; whilst on the other hand when the disease 

 has fairly established itself, the strength of the patient needs to be 

 sustained in order to enable him to throw it off and survive its debili- 

 tating effects. When however the disease has established itself, the 

 appetite always fails and the difficulty is to get the patient to take any 

 nutriment. His appetite must be tempted by whatever may seem at the 

 moment to be palatable. A handful of grass, a carrot or two sliced 

 long^vays, or a few mouthfuls of bran mash, or of oatmeal gruel made 

 fresh as required, or a few bruised oats may be tried. Skim-milk at this 

 stage will be found very useful in sustaining the strength. In cases 

 w^here much debility is present, half a drachm of quinine dissolved in an 

 ounce of water and a few drops of sulphuric acid may be given twice daily 

 in a pint of port wine. 



As a general rule these diseases terminate quickly and favorably and 

 without any after injurious effects, when treated as recommended above. 

 It is only when the system is unduly lowered, or the fever is aggravated 

 by the use of violent blisters, that we have reason to fear an unfavorable 

 termination. 



443. Another mode of Treatment. 



In the treatment of these diseases it is frequently customary to have 

 recourse to the free use of violent external irritants. The author in 

 previous Chapters on Inflammation and Irritants has given at length his 

 reasons for disapproving of such practice. But inasmuch as the applica- 

 tion of these remedies is very common, he deems it right to lay before 

 the reader the usual mode of applying them. 



Blisters are generally applied after the more acute febrile symptoms 

 have been somewhat got under. When used earlier, they increase the 

 violence of the symptoms without producing any corresponding advantage 

 as regards the internal inflammation. 



In each case care and circumspection are needed to apply the irritant 

 to the proper part. The seat of the attack must be ascertained by 

 auscultation and by taking notice of the other signs detailed above ; and 



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