In the Stable, Field, and on the Road. 59 



progression nor retrogression; still neither the accele- 

 rated breathing nor pulse settles at all. In a few cases 

 this is purely referable to weakness, but if the secretions 

 and mucous membranes are unsatisfactory this is an 

 ugly symptom. Without for one moment understanding 

 the importance of attending to this point, it is of the 

 utmost consequence to act judiciously, for an error made 

 now throws all chances against the patient. Two drachms 

 of aloes, or eight of oil, given at this stage, especially if 

 the bowels are comparatively empty, is sufficient to kill 

 the largest and best horse alive. The aloes get absorbed 

 into the system and act as a deadly poison, or else their 

 action is followed by constipation. 



Always rely upon enemas, frequent draughts of cold 

 water, and, if it is eating moderately, one drachm of 

 aloes, or half a drachm of calomel, or, which I like far 

 better, two ounces of linseed oil. Under such circum- 

 stances you can make no progress until the bowels 

 are corrected. Sometimes the pulse will rise daily in 

 the face of camphor and belladonna, but upon dis- 

 continuing them and giving tonic stimulants, the pulse 

 at once commenced to excel, and my patient recovered, 

 but after all most of them die. I now approach in- 

 fluenza simple. This is the most important part to 

 my readers of this subject. If the horse is observed 

 just as it is in the act of contracting the epizootic, and 

 when it is in its incipient stage, if proper care is at 

 once supplied, it will be found that it is only an 

 ephemeral disturbance. In such a case administer a 

 pint of warm ale, one table-spoonful of ground ginger 

 (Barbadoes is best), and the same quantity of powdered 



