252 RHEUMATISM. 



remedies. Horses which have become the subjects of well- 

 developed and confirmed chronic rheumatism are not as a rule 

 very hojieful patients ; still so much benelit may sometimes be 

 obtained from careful attention to the dietary, and by the 

 administration of an occasional laxative, with the steady em- 

 ployment in the food of a moderate quantity of bicarbonate of 

 potass or soda, that a fair amount of slow work may be done 

 without distress to the animals. Half-ounce doses of oil of 

 turpentine, or two-drachm doses of iodide of potassium twice 

 daily, or the addition to the alkali given in the food of a few 

 grains of arsenic, are, considering the chances of their benefiting 

 as tonics, severally deserving of a trial. 



Locally, in such forms, we are often puzzled what to do, as 

 nothing which we employ seems to result in much good ; in 

 practice I have found more benefit from the employment, 

 where this was possible, of woollen bandages soaked with hot 

 oil, or warm alkaline solution applied to the parts for an hour 

 or two at a time, and when removed, smart friction with a 

 liniment composed of equal quantities of soap liniment and 

 tincture of opium. I have found this better than strong- 

 blistering agents, which in old animals do not seem productive 

 of much good, while in their use they necessitate a great loss 

 of time from the enforced rest. 



The treatment by hot fomentations or bandages, and after- 

 wards friction with anodyne liniment, does not necessitate rest; 

 in truth, it seems to do better when the animal is steadily but 

 not too severely working. 



III. Muscular and Tendinous Kheumatism. 



It is generally allowed that the muscles and their fibrous 

 investing membrane and continuations arc subject to a peculiar 

 painful affection aggravated by movement or manipulation, 

 and believed to be of a rheumatic or rheumatoid character. 

 It is usually of a subacute nature ; occasionally it appears 

 suddenly and unexpectedly, and, once established, is rather 

 liable to recur. 



This disturbed condition seems to owe its origin, wherever 

 the pre-existing disposition exists, to the operation of causes 

 much similar to those Avhich we recognise as inducimj factors 



