42 IDIOPATHIC OR SIMPLE FEVER. 



To ordinary observers it appears a more serious affair than 

 many others which are attended with dangerous comphcations, 

 and hence the aid of skilled assistance is oftener invoked than 

 would be were its true nature understood. Being, from its 

 nature, disposed to run a certain and determinate course, and 

 issue in a favourable termination, it is in all cases inexpedient 

 to make any attempts to cut this course short by what is 

 termed a cure. Pitcairn has well said : " I do not like fever 

 curers. You may guide a fever ; you cannot cure it. What 

 would you think of a pilot who attempted to quell a storm ? 

 Either position is equally absurd. In the storm you steer the 

 ship as well as you can, and in the fever you can only employ 

 patience and judicious measures to meet the difficulties of the 

 case." 



Following these indications, the points which demand our 

 attention are — (1) Moderation of the pyrexial symptoms, as 

 vascular excitement, respiratory disturbance, and elevation of 

 temperature, at least where these are excessive. (2) Following 

 the subsidence of them, to assist the system, when depressed, 

 to establish a reaction. (3) To combat symptoms, untoward 

 or unexpected, as they occur. 



The first of these is best secured by at once, if it is possible, 

 placing the animal in a moderately warm loose box, clean, well 

 lighted, and capable of being well ventilated ; while even if the 

 box at our command is not possessed of all these sanitary re- 

 quirements, which few are, it is generally to be preferred to an 

 ordinary stall. During the cold stage it is advisable to make 

 an attempt to equalize the surface-temperature by good hand- 

 rubbing and moderate clothing, not, however, troubling the 

 horse with overmuch handling, rather resting contented with 

 the application of a light woollen rug, and, in certain animals, 

 with placing a set of bandages on the limbs. 

 '"^ In the employment of medicinal agents I have found much 

 benefit from salines, as chlorate of potass or nitrate of potass 

 alone, or combined with sweet spirits of nitre and cami)hor. 

 A very good formula, and one which I have employed with 

 much benefit for many years in simple fever, as well as in 

 other complicated and more serious disturbances where fever 

 is present as a constant and marked feature of the disease, is — 



