68 THE ARMY HORSE, 



Symptoms. — The first symptoms are loss of appetite, depres- 

 sion and weakness; the temperature rises rapidly to 105° or 

 107° in severe cases; the animal holds his head low and has a 

 stupid look; he staggers Avhen walking, and the visible mucous 

 membranes are of a yellowish tinge. 



When the digestive organs are affected, colics (gripes) 

 occur frequentl}^ In the beginning, constijDation is the rule 

 and the dung is coated with a whitish-yellow, mucus layer; 

 later diarrhea occurs and the dung is doughy, soft, or liquid. 

 The eyelids are sometimes swollen shut and are hot and sensi- 

 tive to the touch. The legs and sheath are sometimes swollen 

 and the lower portion of the belly maj^ be similarly affected. 



Treatment. — Isolate sick animals for their own comfort and 

 the safety of healthy subjects, as influenza is usuall}^ a serious 

 disease. Give quinine sulphate 1 dram, gentian 2 drams, in a 

 ball, three times, daily ; add ^ ounce saltpeter to the drinking 

 water twice daily. The fever may be reduced by, rectal injec- 

 tions of cold water. 



Intestinal troubles may be relieved by the administration of 

 bicarbonate of soda in dram doses three times daily ; if pain is 

 very severe, 2 drams of fluid extract of cannabis indica may be 

 given. Bathe the eyes, if swollen, with warm water. Good 

 nursing and laxative food are essential, cold water being kept 

 \vhere the animal can help himself. 



