BRONCHITIS. 51 



should at least be described under two heads, notwithstand- 

 ing the one distinction may run, as it does sometimes, into 

 the other. 



1. Acute Bronchitis. — Symptoms. Ushered in by a 

 chill, fever, harsh or painful cough, loss of appetite, heav- 

 ing at the flanks, mouth hot and dry. In a day or so, a 

 discharge of pus or matter will be observed from one or 

 both nostrils. 



If bleeding, or other severe measures be used, the horse 

 will assuredly die, not so much from the disease, but from 

 maltreatment. Better, in a disease of this kind, let nature 

 have her way, and give the horse a chance for his life ; for 

 in the other case, he has absolutely none whatever. 



Treatment First, the horse should be treated as for fever. 

 Place the horse in an open or airy place, embraced by the 

 word " comfortable." Obviously it would not be comfort- 

 able to place a sick horse in an open place, with the ther- 

 mometer below zero. In July or August it will not be 

 necessary to burden the animal with blankets. 



Give him from fifteen to twenty drops of the tincture of 

 aconite root every four hours, till six doses are taken. This 

 will relieve the fever, breathing, and the hot and dry mouth. 

 Give plenty of cold water to drink, for pain and fever re- 

 quire plenty of fluid, as all the secretions are dried up. 

 Let the animal have a little grass, if it can be got : this 

 will relax the bowels, and cool the stomach. On the 

 second day, the following medicines may be given, that is, 

 if they be necessary : Powdered gentian root, two ounces ; 

 powdered nux vomica, one ounce. Mix, and divide into 

 six poAvders, and give one powder morning, noon, and 

 night. These medicines will prevent debility and depres- 

 sion, and the pouring out of fluid or serum into the legs, 

 sheath, belly, and breast. After the fever has been re- 



