234 CHAPTER 24. 



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

 surgeon. 



The first 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 in time, run a 

 regular course and terminate 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, &c. 



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 years and in different places varies much in its 

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

 of an inflammatory character, whilst in others it takes a low form. The 

 description of symptoms given below will have reference to the general 

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

 abnormally 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 slightly constipated, the faeces are paler than usual, and there may 

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

 box and carefully treated, these symptoms may pass off (probably in the 

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

 necessity for recourse to any active treatment. 



More often, however, they 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 glazed and perhaps partially coated with mucus, the mouth becomes 

 hot and unnaturally dry, or it may be pasty, particularly at the back of 

 the tongue, and the mucous membrane altogether and especially round 

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

 of the eyelids. The temperature rises perhaps to 105 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 suffering from intense headache, and if made to move, he staggers 

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

 being functionally deranged, especially the brain. 



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

 except that the pulse may be.come 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 eyes, swelling of the eyelids and of the legs and under the belly, 

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



