48 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



in veterinary medicine; both are valuable adjuncts in treatment in 

 anasarca, as they are during convalescence at the end of any grave 

 disease which has tended to render the patient anemic. Dilute sul- 

 phuric acid and hydrochloric acid are perhaps the best examples of 

 a combination of stimulant, astringent, and tonic which can be em- 

 ployed. The simple astringents of mineral origin, sulphates of iron, 

 copper, etc., are useful as digestive tonics. The vegetable astringents, 

 tannic acid, etc., have not proved efficacious. Iodide of potash in 

 small doses serves the triple purpose of digestive tonic, denutritive 

 for inflammation, and diuretic. Among the newer forms of treat- 

 ment are diluted Lugol's solution injected into the trachea, anti- 

 streptococcus and colloidal silver solution injected into the cir- 

 culation. No one but a qualified veterinarian would be competent to 

 apply these remedies. 



Externally. Sponging the swollen parts, especially the head, 

 when the swelling occurs there, is most useful. The bath should be at 

 an extreme of temperature either ice cold to constrict the tissues or 

 hot water to act as an emollient and to favor circulation. Vinegar 

 may be added as an astringent. When we have excessively denuded 

 surfaces, suppuration, or open wounds, disinfectants should be added 

 to the wash. 



In cases of excessive swelling, especially of the head, mechanical 

 relief may be required. Punctures of the part should be made with 

 the hot iron even in country practice, as no other disease so predis- 

 poses to septic contamination. When mechanical asphyxia is threat- 

 ened tracheotomy may be demanded. With the first evidence of 

 dyspnea, not due to closing of the nostrils or glottis, or with the first 

 pawing which gives rise to a suspicion of colic, a mustard plaster 

 should be applied over the whole belly and chest. The sinapism will 

 draw the current of the circulation to the exterior, the metastasis to 

 the lungs or intestines is prevented, and the enfeebled nervous system 

 is stimulated to renewed vigor by the peripheral irritation. The or- 

 gans are encouraged by it to renewed functional activity; the local 

 inflammation produced by it favors absorption of the exudation. 

 The objection to the use of blisters is their more severe action and the 

 danger of mortification. Septicemia, when occurring as a complica- 

 tion, requires the ordinary treatment for the putrid diseases, with 

 little hope of a good result. After recovery the animal regains its or- 

 dinary health, and there is no predisposition to a return of the disease. 

 (Spl. Rpt. Horse, Dept. Agr. 1911.) 



EDEMATOUS PNEUMONIA. 



(STNONYMS: Contagious pneumonia; adynamic pneumonia; hospital, or 

 stable, pneumonia; equine pleuro-pneumonia; influenza; pleuro-pneumonia.) 



This disease is the adynamic pneumonia of the older veterina- 

 rians, who did not recognize any essential difference in its nature 

 from an ordinary inflammation of the lungs, except in the profound 

 sedation of the force of the animal affected with it, which is a promi- 

 nent symptom from the outset of the disease. Again, this same pros- 

 tration of the vital force of the animal, combined with the staggering 

 movement and want of co-ordination of the muscles of the animal, 



