TREATMENT. 171 



present, a small close of aloes, from three to four drachms, com- 

 bined with thirty grains of calomel, sufficient to induce an 

 action of the bowels, and repeated after an interval of two or 

 three days, will be found of greater benefit than active purga- 

 tion. Bleeding, unless in the cases indicated, is not to be 

 recommended, and even in these is of doubtful efficacy. 



Having obtained an action of the bowels, should the horse 

 be inclined to feed moderately, care must be exercised that 

 only such food is given as will tend to maintain a natural or 

 rather moist condition of the canal. Not being disposed for 

 movement from the pain of the limb, a loose box is not so 

 absolutely needful in any stage of erysipelas as in many other 

 affections. 



As we cannot expect to cut short the development of con- 

 stitutional symptoms, the more rational system of treatment 

 seems to be that of directing all our energies and apphances 

 to moderate the course of these — preventing complications, 

 supporting the system, and maintaining unobstructed those 

 natural channels of the body through which poisonous and 

 effete material is thrown off. From its general soothing and 

 mild diuretic action, a mixture of sweet spirits of nitre with 

 camphor and solution of acetate of ammonia, given in moderate 

 doses three times daily, will be found to serve these purposes 

 well ; or, as in the case of other febrile disturbances, both 

 specific and common, and particularly when the internal 

 temperature is high, the continuous use of salicylic acid in full 

 dose twice or thrice daily is deserving of being fairly tried. 

 As the disease advances and stimulants become more necessary, 

 the liquor ammonia acetatis may be supplanted by an ounce 

 of the solution of ammonia carbonate, two ounces of aromatic 

 spirits of ammonia, or the same quantity of brandy or whisky. 

 When the thirst is great, such salines as sulphate or hypo- 

 sulphite of soda, or chlorate of potass, are readily taken with 

 the drinking-water, and appear productive of benefit, more 

 particularly during the height of the fever. 



With some practitioners — even from the earliest stages of 

 erysipelas in all animals — treatment by tonics, particularly 

 preparations of iron, is spoken of favourably; still I have 

 always looked upon these agents as likely to yield, and fancy 

 that in practice they have yielded, better results when given on 



