76 



INFLUENZA. 



advisable, particularly where the cough and irritation are 

 troublesome, or even prior to and in lieu of these measures, to 

 employ, externally, heat and moisture. This is done by 

 swathing the throat in woollen cloths or bandages ^vrung from 

 hot water, and retained in position and warmth for some hours 

 continuously. Where there are many animals affected, or 

 where from other causes, as individual peculiarities, this is in- 

 applicable, similar results, viz. relieving tension and local 

 irritability, may be obtained through the use of sinapisms, 

 ammonia liniment, or mild cantharides liniment. 



Durmg the progress of all the more serious cases of in- 

 fluenza, and where the thoracic complications are evident or 

 dreaded, the condition of the chest and the contained organs 

 must be carefully watched. The internal temperature, nature 

 of the respirations, condition of the heart's action and of the 

 pulse, ought to be noted, Avhere possible, once daily — certainly 

 at each visit of our patient. The involvement of the lower 

 air-passages, the pleura and lungs, as also the heart, must ever 

 be present to our minds as a possible condition of all cases, 

 however simple they may at first appear. 



When, from the signs and characteristic features of the 

 diseased action, which have already been detailed, the evidence 

 derived from auscultation, the distressed and catching breathing, 

 the marked ridge along the margin of the ribs, etc., we are 

 satisfied that pulmonary and ^^leural structures are inflamed, 

 it will be for us to consider whether by external agencies we 

 may be able to afford relief to the animal. 



This without doubt may be successfully done by the employ- 

 ment of means similar to what has been indicated as applicable 

 to the same condition in the upper air-passages. 



Where pain is a less obvious feature in the course of the 

 development of the thoracic complications, but where we are 

 satisfied that effusion is taking place into the pulmonary struc- 

 ture, and consolidation is the result, experience and observation 

 seem to indicate that the application of a smart cantharides 

 liniment over the chest is productive of more lasting benefit 

 than the treatment by means of the hot-Avater blankets. 

 Cantharides liniment I prefer to mustard for many reasons ; 

 amongst others, that it is less likely to produce irritation and 

 pain. I am aware that my experience in the use of this agent 



