234 CHAPTER 24. 



by the use of the thennometer in the hand of a competent veterinary 



'"^Thrfirst essential is rest, absolute and complete, a fact, which if it 

 had been appreciated in past outbreaks, would have saved the majority 

 of the horses attacked. Most cases, that are taken m time, i-un a 

 regular course and temiinate favorably. But if work is continued after 

 the time, when the first symptoms ought to have been detected, an un- 

 favorable result will ensue, either death or some other injurious sequel 

 such as roaring, kc. _ . . 



No disease lends itself more readily to empiricism. It has many 

 phases, and can only be treated according to the symptoms presented by 

 each case. 



473. Symptoms. 

 Influenza in different vears and in different places varies much in its 

 intensity and in some of its symptoms. In some seasons it assumes luore 

 of an inflammatorv character, whilst in others it takes a low form, ihe 

 description of symptoms given below will have reference to the fjenend 

 tvpe of the disease rather than to the particular features, which may be 

 abnormallv present in any particular outbreak. 



In mild cases for the first two or three days the horse is observed to 

 be dull, weak and dispirited, generally sweats on exertion, the bowels 

 are sli-htly constipated, the L^c-s are paler than usual, and there may 

 be occasionally cough. If the patient is promptly removed to a loose 

 box and carefullv treated, these symptoms may pass off (probably m the 

 form of catarrh and a disposition to cedema in the legs) without the 

 necessity for recourse to anv active treatment. 



More' often, however, thev are followed by others of a more urgent 

 nature The horse refuses his food, his coat looks unhealthy, the urine 

 becomes scanty, the faeces pale and scanty, the surface of the dung pellets 

 is -lazed and'perhaps partially coated with mucus, the mouth becomes 

 hot%nd unnaturally drv, or it may be pasty, particularly at the back ot 

 the toncnie, and the mucous membrane altogether and especiaUy round 

 the gums is of yellowish red hue, as is also the conjuncUval membrane 

 of the eyelids. ' The temperature rises perhaps to lOo F. (See par 

 217^ ) The pulse is quick and oppressed, perhaps 70 per minute, but 

 at the same time feeble, and the breathing is quick. The horse appears 

 to be sufferinc- from intense headache, and if made to move, he staggers 

 in his walk. ^These symptoms point very clearly to the nervous centres 

 beincr functionally deranged, especially the brain. 



These symptoms may remain much the same for two or three days, 

 except that the pulse may become a little quicker and more feeble, the 

 respirations quicker and shorter, and the temperature higher. 



If the horse is well nursed, and proper attention is paid to the ven- 

 tilation he will most likely recover without the assistance of medicine. 

 At other times the disease is ushered in and accompanied by weeping 

 of the eves, swelling of the eyehds and of the legs and under the belly, 

 and all "'other usual signs of extreme debility. Even in the very early 



