TREATMENT. 73 



This clothing ought to be removed, at least once daily ; the 

 body and limbs gently rubbed over, the former with a little 

 tepid water and vinegar ; the clothes shaken in the open air, 

 and all replaced. 



In many of these cases the use of the Roman, otherwise 

 called the Turkish, bath, is deserving of trial. We want facts 

 from which to reason respecting the action of the skin in 

 febrile diseases generally in the horse. 



As regards food in every form, and all through the disease, al- 

 though always objectionable to carry its allowance to the extent 

 of cramming the creature, it is advisable to coax his appetite 

 where it is deficient, and it is astonishing what may be done in 

 inducing a sick animal to eat by coaxing. Green food, when 

 procurable, is to be preferred ; in the absence of this, fresh 

 roots sliced and given from the hand, or a little picked hay, 

 should be offered — anything, in short, the animal seems fond 

 of, always endeavouring to keep it of such a nature that the 

 bowels may not become constipated. 



Should they become confined, it is better not to give physic 

 or purging medicine, properly so called ; endeavour to over- 

 come this condition by enemata of tepid water, or tepid water 

 with oil ; while, if taking any mash or steamed oats with a little 

 bran, most animals will readily enough, with a little educa- 

 tion, take linseed-oil along with it, in ounce or two-ounce doses. 

 It is not necessary that the animal should be compelled to 

 drink nothing but lukewarm water. This is a beverage which 

 few animals, unless habituated to it, care for, and, if allowed to 

 stand in the stable for some time, the water will be warm 

 enough. Cold linseed-tea, or milk, are both to be recom- 

 mended as drinks, according to conditions ; they are nourish- 

 ing, and, from their demulcent properties, well suited to the 

 irritated and irritable mucous surfaces. 



In the employment of medicinal agents we must be largely 

 guided by the nature and severity of the symptoms as they 

 develop themselves. The more rational, and, in actual prac- 

 tice, the more satisfactory procedure, is the exhibition of such 

 agents as may act more directly on the constitution of the 

 blood, as tend to allay the considerable systemic irritation 

 shown b}- the exaltation of body-temperature and rapid tissue- 



