246 CHAPTER 26. 



inclined to feed. His throat is sore, and at best he can take nothing but 

 soft food. Hence good nursing becomes the main point in the treat- 

 ment. 



The patient's appetite must be carefully watched and tempted with 

 anything that he will eat. In bad cases grass is not only the best, but is 

 often the only food, that the animal can be tempted to swallow or to 

 attempt to swallow. Carrots cut lengthways are the best substitute, 

 when grass cannot be obtained. Bran mash is sometimes palatable for 

 a day or two, but in general it soon becomes distasteful. Linseed gruel 

 may also be offered. If the patient is able to eat it he should be sup- 

 plied with corn softened by boiling water being poured over it with the 

 addition of bran and linseed. Whilst it is desirable to give the animal 

 whatever he will take, it is also necessary that the food should be offered 

 him in a softened condition. Hay, put into a bucket and boiling water 

 poured on it, is also palatable. The steam arising from it will also be 

 found to be beneficial by soothing the inflamed surfaces. -A little scalded 

 crushed oats, or a small barley or malt mash is often eaten with relish. 

 Stale bread may also be offered. 



Warm clothing must be applied to the body, and bandages to the legs. 

 At intervals, if the legs get cold, the bandages should be removed, and 

 the parts rubbed with the hands, until warmth is restored. The patient 

 should be placed in a cool well-ventilated box with abundance of air 

 both day and night. Cool fresh air in this in common with all diseases, in 

 which the respiratory passages are affected, is of the utmost importance. 

 But on no account whatever should the patient be subjected to any cold 

 draught. This caution is needed whenever the respiratory passages are 

 affected. But nevertheless the air in the sick box or stable must be 

 pure and fresh, 



If the bowels are constipated, they must be relieved by ' the use of 

 laxative food, or if need be by injections ; but no strong purgative medi- 

 cine must be given, both for fear of checking the eruption and also on 

 account 'of its tendency to reduce the strength and perhaps bring on 

 superpurgation. If any medicine is needed, half a pint of linseed oil 

 may be given, and repeated after twenty-four hours if necessary. 



The fever which accompanies the eruptive attack will disappear as 

 soon as the disease has run its course. Should it, however, be excessive, 

 it may be advisable to allay it with ordinary febrifuges, but no lowering 

 treatment is admissible. 



497. Treatment of the Local swelling. 



From the general disease we now turn to the Local swelling. Our 

 object must be to induce the process of suppuration ^or formation of 

 matter. In most cases it will be sufficient to keep the part warm with 

 layers of flannel. But if the suppurative process needs further assist- 

 ance to bring it to maturity, fomentations followed by a warm poultice 

 of boiled carrgts or turnips applied to the part and retained in position 

 by an eight-tailed bandage will be beneficial. The greatest care must be 

 taken in all cases to avoid a chill in the part, which would check the 



