PECULIAR TO HORSES. 67 



Treatment. — The animal slioukl be fed on sloppy bran mashes 

 three times daily, to which add one drachm of powdered nitre, and 

 twice daily lubricate the region of the throat with some stimulating 

 liniment. Let the patient breathe a pure atmosphere, and he will 

 soon get well. 



PLEURISY. ' 



This is one of the most painful among equine affections. ' 



Pci'sons who have suffered the pains attending acute pleurisy, 

 describe them as lancinating ; this accounts for the deplorable con- 

 dition of a horse when suddenly attacked with this terrible affliction. 



Symptoms. — The excruciating torment attending the early devel- 

 opments of the malady, causes the animal to get down and tumble 

 about, as if he were the subject of colic ; biit soon it will be observed 

 that the case is not one of colic^ for as soon as the most painful 

 features of the malady have subsided, the animal does not recline 

 on the floor, but stands, with his fore legs wide apart, in view of 

 preventing friction between the lungs and the interior lining mem- 

 brane of the cavity of the chest ; the pain is continuous, which is 

 proof positive that the animal is not the subject of colic. 



If pressure be made with the finger on the spaces between the 

 ribs and the chest, it elicits symptoms of great pain ; and should the 

 ear be placed against the walls of the chest, a grating sound will be 

 heard, and the respiratory murmur is not natural. This malady is 

 apt to terminate in dropsy of the chest. In all cases of acute pleu- 

 risy the pulse is strong and wiry. 



TREATME>rT. — Supposing the disease to be in its early stage, as 

 shown by such symptoms as above, give the patient twenty-five 

 drops of tincture of aconite, mixed in about two ounces of water, 

 and ten drops more every hour, un*jil the pulse becomes softer ; then 

 omit the aconite, and give one drachm of powdered nitre, twenty -five 

 drops of powdered blood-root, in four ounces of water ; drench the 

 animal very carefully, so as not to put him to unnecessary pain. It 

 is possible that the animal may take this medicine if placed in a 

 bucket containing a few quarts of water. This latter medicine may 

 be repeated every four hours, until four doses have been taken ; in 

 the meantime, a thin paste of mustard and vinegar should be care- 

 fully rubbed on the sides of the chest and under the breast ; the 

 paste must be quite thin, or it cannot be absorbed, hence will be 

 useless. Should the weather be chilly, clothe the lower part of the 

 limbs with flannel. 



The intelligent OM^ner will attend to the wants of the animal, ana 

 see that he is located in a part of the stable where he will be free 

 from annoyance. 



It will be easy to ascertain whether or no the case is curable ; for 

 if, during the treatment, the patient continues to grow worse, hydro- 

 thorax^ or dropsy of the chest, is sure to set in ; this latter disease 

 requires the services of a veterinary surgeon. 



