44 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



view it is immaterial, as the treatment of both are identical. The 

 fact that other horses in the same stable or neighborhood have in- 

 fluenza may aid in the diagnosis. 



Prognosis. Influenza is a serious disease chiefly on account of 

 its numerous complications. Uncomplicated influenza is a compara- 

 tively simple malady, and is fatal in but 1 to 5 per cent of all cases. 

 In some outbreaks, however, complications of one kind or another 

 preponderate; in such instances the rate of mortality is much in- 

 creased. 



Treatment. While the appetite remains the patient should 

 have a moderate quantity of sound hay, good oats, and bran ; or even 

 a little fresh clover, if obtainable, can be given in small quantities. 

 It is not so important that a special diet shall be observed as that the 

 horse shall eat a moderate quantity of nourishing food, and he may 

 be tempted with any food of good quality that he relishes. The sick 

 horse should be placed in a well-ventilated box stall away from other 

 horses. Grass, roots, apples, and milk may be offered and, if rel- 

 ished, allowed freely. To reduce the temperature, the safest simple 

 plan is to inject large quantities of cold water into the rectum. 

 Antipyrene may be used with alcohol or strychnia. Derivatives in 

 the form of essential oils and mustard poultices, baths of alcohol, 

 turpentine, and hot water, after which the animal must be immedi- 

 ately dried and blanketed, serve to waken the animal up from the 

 stupor and relieve the congestion of the internal organs. This treat- 

 ment is especially indicated when complication by congestion of the 

 lungs, intestines, or of the brain is threatened. Quinine and salicylic 

 acid in 1-dram doses will lower the temperature, but too continuous 

 use of quinine in some cases increases the after depression. Iodide 

 of potash reduces the excessive nutrition of the congested organs and 

 thereby reduces the temperature ; again, this drug in moderate quan- 

 tities is a stimulant to the digestive tract and acts as a diuretic, caus- 

 ing the elimination of waste matter by the kidneys. Small doses of 

 Glauber's salts and bicarbonate of soda, used from the outset, stimu- 

 late the digestive tract and prevent constipation and its evil results. 



In cases of severe depression and weakness of the heart digitalis 

 can be used with advantage. At the end of the fever, and when con- 

 valescence is established, alcohol in one-half pint doses and good ale 

 in 1-pint doses may be given as stimulants; to these may be added 

 1-dram doses of turpentine. 



In complication of the intestines camphor and asafetida are 

 most frequently used to relieve the pain causing the colics ; diarrhea 

 is also relieved by the use of bicarbonate of soda, nitrate of potash, 

 and drinks made from boiled rice or starch, to which may be added 

 small doses of laudanum. 



In complication of the lungs iodide of potash and digitalis are 

 most frequently indicated, in addition to the remedies used for the 

 disease itself. 



Founder occurring as a complication of influenza is difficult to 

 treat. It is, unfortunately, frequently not recognized until inflam- 

 matory changes have gone on for some days. If recognized at once, 



