PNEUMONIA. 33 



severe strain forced upon it. Many authors advise the use of blisters, but 

 this the writer cannot endorse, considering their employment injudicious. 



Other authorities recommend flaxseed meal poultices, and warm fomen- 

 tations. These arc objectionable from the fact that the animal is liable to 

 become chilled while the applications are being removed and changed. 

 The object is to prevent the air coming in contact with the chest, and no 

 better means can be devised than the cotton jacket. Many thicknesses of 

 cotton batting can be quilted on to cloth, cut with holes for the fore legs, 

 aiid roughly shaped to envelop the chest from the neck to the loins. Tin's 

 when basted on to the animal is a sure protection, and contributes to his 

 comfort, by keeping the skin moistened with perspiration , and all the 

 advantages of a poultice are thereby secured. 



Opium should be given in the first stage to subdue the pain and to quiet 

 the system. If the pulse is full and boun*ling and the animal in good 

 health previous to the attack, sedatives may be combined with the opiate, 

 and the morphine and aconite prescription, recommended in acute pleu- 

 risy be used. If pain is not severe, and fever runs high, the tincture of 

 aconite root may be given every two hours, alone, or in the following 

 mixture — 



R Tr. Opii Camphoratse 5 i 



Tr. Aeoniti Rad. gtt. xxv 



Potass. Chloratis 3 ij 



Amnion. Muriatis 5 i 



Syr. Simplicis § i 



Aquae ad. § iij 



Ft. Mist. Shake well. Sig. Dose one teaspoonful from four to six hours. 



A room of equitable temperature should be chosen, and good ventilation 

 be maintained. Never wait in pneumonia until trouble comes; rather 

 anticipate it, and be prepared for emergencies. Commence early with 

 supportive measures, and insist upon it the animal takes nourishment 

 at regular intervals. Select the concentrated and most sustaining nutri- 

 ment such as raw eggs, beef juice, and beef exti-acts. 



To support and sustain the vital powers and to prolong life beyond the 

 limit of the disease, is the general indication in the second stage. Opium 

 if indicated may still be persisted in, and stimulants and stimulating tonics 

 should be commenced. Given moderately at first, but pushed if the need 

 becomes manifest. Quinine in two grain doses should be given every four 

 hours, and two teaspoonfuls of brandy may be administered in milk at 

 intervals, and the effects watched. Shouldthe pulse weaken, the stimulant 

 must be increased to a tablespoonful dose, and given every two or three 

 hours. If failure of the powers seems imminent, one teaspoonful of the 

 aromatic spirit of ammonia must be added to each dose of brandy. 



