538 PLEURISY. 



mended in pneumonia. When this draught is given only 

 twice daily, one or two powders, containing two drachms each 

 of nitrate and chlorate of potash, may be administered between 

 the draughts ; these are readily taken in the drinking- 

 water. When pain is a marked feature in the attack, a mode- 

 rate amount of some soluble preparation of opium may be 

 given with benefit; or instead of the opium mixture, Fleming's 

 tincture of aconite may bo administered every three hours 

 until relief is obtained, or at least until three doses have been 

 given if no relief has been obtained before. When fugitive 

 abdominal pain is troublesome, rehef is afforded by employing 

 opium subcutaneously. To eftect this purpose, forty minims 

 of the solutio morphire hypodermica B. P., containing three 

 and a third grains of the morphia salt, are to be injected 

 into the subcutaneous tissue at the point of the sternum. 

 This will usually afford immediate relief, and if not, may be 

 repeated in an hour. AVith the same end in view, to reheve 

 pain, it is desirable, at this stage of the disease, to assiduously 

 employ heat and moisture by means of woollen cloths -^vnmg 

 from hot water and Avrapped around the chest. In some in- 

 stances the water thus employed may be medicated with tinc- 

 ture of opium. 



In whatever way this is carried out, whether by poultices or 

 cloths wrung from hot water, the applications ought to be 

 made at least twice daily, two or three hours continuously ; 

 and on their removal the sides ought to be dried and the 

 animal clothed, or have some compound soap liniment rubbed 

 smartly over the parts. 



By many the treatment of pleurisy during the first week by 

 the administration twice dail}?- of half a drachm of opium and 

 a scruple of calomel, is spoken highly of ; but from my expe- 

 rience I cannot recommend this as superior, or even equal to 

 that already indicated, by saline febrifuges. 



Following the defervescence of the premonitory fever, we 

 not unfrequently meet with cases where the conditions seem 

 stationary; the temperature, having fallen somewhat, still 

 remains high ; inappetency continues, the secretion from the 

 kidneys is restricted, the respirations arc embarrassed, and the 

 horse is languid and listless. In such I have invariably found 

 good to result from a moderate stimulation or vesication of the 



