FEVER. • 163 /^ 



and effects of inflammation, a blister, or stimulating application, 

 should never be applied to a part already inflamed. 



FEVER. 



Fever is general increased arterial action, either without any 

 local aflection, or in consequence of the sympathy of the system 

 with inflammation in some particular part. 



The first is 'pure fever. Owing to bad stable management and 

 general treatment, and the susceptibility of various parts of the 

 horse to take on inflammation, this usually degenerates into in- 

 flammation. But pure fever is sometimes seen, and runs its 

 course regularly. 



It frequently begins with a cold or shivering fit, although this 

 is» not essential to fever. The horse is dull, unwilling to move, 

 has a staring coat, and cold legs and feet. This is succeeded by 

 warmth of the body ; unequal distribution of warmth to the legs ; 

 one hot, and the other three cold, or one or more unnaturally 

 warm, and the others unusually cold, but not the deathlike cold- 

 ness of inflammation of the lungs ; the pulse quick, soft, and 

 often indistinct ; the breathing somewhat laborious ; but no 

 cough or pawing, or looking at the flanks. The animal will 

 scarcely eat, and is very costive. While the state of pure fever 

 lasts, the shivering fit returns at nearly the same hour eveiy 

 day, and is succeeded by the warm one, and that often by a 

 slight degree of perspiration ; and these alternate during several 

 days until local inflammation appears, or the fever gradually 

 subsides. No horse ever died of pure fever. If he is not destroyed 

 by inflammation of the lungs, or feet, or bowels succeeding to 

 the fever, he gradually recovers. 



Fever is general increased action of the heart and arteries, and 

 therefore evidently appears the necessity for bleeding, regulating 

 the quantity of blood by the degree of fever, and usually keeping 

 the finger on the artery until some evident and considerable 

 impression is made upon the system The bowels should be 

 gently opened ; but the danger of inflammation of the lungs, and 

 the uniformly injurious consequence of purgation in that disease, 

 will prevent the administration of an active purgative. A sn^all 

 quantity of aloes may be given morning and night, with the 

 proper fever medicine, until the bowels are slightly relaxed, after 

 which nothing more of an aperient quality should be administered. 

 Digitalis, emetic tarta'r, and nitre should be given morning and 

 night, in proportions regulated by the circumstances of the case. 

 The horse should be warmly clothed, but be placed in a cool and 

 well- ventilated stable. 



Symptomatic fever is increased arterial action, proceeding from 



