RHEUMATISM 



will feed he will commence on the dry bread and gradually 

 get on to that which is soaked. Some horses infinitely prefer 

 stout to beer. 



Bread and Milk will be readily eaten by most horses if a 

 little salt is added to it. 



Beef Tea. — In extreme cases of exhaustion a drench of 

 strong beef tea, containing no fat, as grease of any kind is 

 disliked by a horse, may be given in half-pint drenches every 

 few hours. 



Linseed Tea. — Boil i lb, of linseed thoroughly in a couple 

 of gallons of water, and strain it carefully. This is a very 

 good drink in cases of fever, and a little lemon juice, if added, 

 is often liked by the horse. 



Rice-water. — Wash \ lb, of rice, soak it for two or 

 three hours in 6 quarts of warm water, then boil slowly for 

 an hour, and strain. Give when cold. This is a good drink 

 in cases of diarrhoea. 



Rheumatism, — No doubt more horses suffer from 

 rheumatism than many people imagine, and beyond all 

 question many cases of lameness are attributable to this 

 source, either chronic or acute, and the former very often 

 follows the latter, which is usually caused by cold and damp. 



The Symptoms o{ 2Xm\.q. rheumatism are a high temperature, 

 stiffness of the joints and muscles, and evident pain, all of 

 which are disposed to increase, whilst often the joints swell 

 and become heated. In cases of chronic rheumatism, where 

 the joints are usually attacked, there is less heat, but the 

 pain is considerable, and the animal becomes lame. 



Treatment. — If the pain is very severe, one dose of 

 tincture of opium, 2 ounces, in i pint of water may be 

 given, and a few hours afterwards salicylate of soda may be 

 given every two or three hours until the temperature falls, 

 when it should be discontinued. The horse should be kept 

 warmly clothed and bandaged, and the parts affected well 

 rubbed with some stimulating liniment, (See Intermittent 

 Lameness., Prescriptions^ 



270 



