RHEUMATISM. 251 



If the attack be severe, or if it be continued, the parts affected will 

 soon become hot and swollen. When a part has been frequently 

 attacked, a chronic swelling generally becomes apparent. 



When Rheumatism arises from exposure to cold or wet, it generally 

 affects the loins or shoulders. 



508. Treatment. 



For any present attack the best treatment is friction to the part 

 affected, which should afterwards be wrapped in hot flannel. Hot 

 fomentations are also beneficial, but great care must be taken to avoid 

 a chill by applying flannel bandages as soon as the fomentation is dis- 

 continued ; or, if these are not available, the part should be well dried 

 and then rubbed with ammonia liniment. 



In severe or long-continued attacks it is advisable to give an ounce of 

 bicarbonate of potass, followed daily by a dose of half the above amount 

 with half an ounce of nitrate of potass, until relief is obtained. Col- 

 chicum in half-drachm doses may be combined with the above. If these 

 remedies fail, two drachms of iodide of potassa may be given in addition. 



If the pain is great, in lieu of the above, one drachm of powdered 

 opium and one drachm of aloes with ginger and linseed meal may be 

 given night and morning for three days. The medicine may then be 

 discontinued for a few days, and afterwards repeated. If the pain is 

 very great, one drachm of extract of belladonna may be added to the 

 above dose. 



In all cases it is essential to keep the bowels in a loose state. The 

 dose recommended above will probably produce this effect ; but if 

 needed, half a pint of linseed oil may be given, and repeated according 

 to circumstances. 



If the lameness is persistent after the ordinary means of reducing 

 inflammation have been employed, and when all febrile symptoms have 

 subsided, a blister of biniodide of mercury may be applied to the part, 

 and repeated if necessary. 



In good truth, however, in this as in many other diseases prevention 

 is better than cure. Horses in really well-managed stables do not often 

 suffer from Rheumatism. 



In animals, which either from previous attacks or constitutionally are 

 predisposed to this disease, the greatest care, in addition to maintaining 

 the system by good feeding, should be taken to have them dried and 

 cleaned immediately after their return from work. The evil effects of 

 allowing horses to stand and get chilled after exercise have been dwelt 

 upon at length in the previous Chapters on grooming and stable man- 

 agement. 



Horses predisposed to this disease should never have their legs or 

 feet washed, except when mud necessitates it, and in such cases they 

 must be dried quickly and wrapped in loose flannel bandages. 



