DISEASES OF HORSES 155 



The mustard-covered area should be covered with a paper and this 

 with a blanket passed up from below and fastened over the back. 

 The blanket and paper soould be removed in from one to two hours. 

 When pneumonia follows another disease, the system is always more 

 or less debilitated and requires the careful use of stimulants from 

 the beginning. To still further weaken the animal by bleeding him 

 is one of the most effectual methods of retarding recovery, even if it 

 does not hasten a fatal termination. , 



Another and oftentimes a fatal mistake made by the nonprofes- 

 sional is the indiscriminate and reckless use of aconite. This drug 

 is one of the most active poisons, and should not be handled by any- 

 one who does not thoroughly understand its action and uses. It is 

 only less active than prussic acid in its poisonous effects. It is a com- 

 mon opinion, often expressed by nonprofessionals, that aconite is a 

 stimulant. Nothing could be more erroneous ; in fact, it is just the 

 reverse. It is one of the most powerful sedatives used in the prac- 

 tice of medicine. In fatal doses it kills by paralyzing the very 

 muscles used in breathing; it weakens the action of the heart, and 

 should not be used. Do not give purgative medicines. If constipa- 

 tion exists, overcome it -by an allowance of laxative diet, such as 

 scalded oats, bran, and linseed mashes, and, if in season, grass. If 

 the costiveness is not relieved by the laxative diet, give an enema of 

 about a quart of warm water three or four times a day. 



A diet consisting principally of bran mashes, scalded oats, and 

 when in season, grass or corn fodder is preferable if the animal 

 retains an appetite ; but if no desire is evinced for food of this par- 

 ticular description, then the animal must be allowed to eat anything 

 that will be taken spontaneously. Hay tea, made by pouring boil- 

 ing water over good hay in a large bucket and allowing it to stand 

 until cool, then straining off the liquid, -will sometimes create a desire 

 for food. The animal may be allowed to drink as much of it as he 

 desires. Corn on the cob is often eaten when everything else is 

 refused. Bread may be tried ; also apples or carrots. If the animal 

 can be persuaded to drink milk, it may be supported by it for days. 

 Three or 4 gallons of sweet milk may be given during the day, in 

 which may be stirred 3 or 4 fresh eggs to each gallon of milk. Some 

 horses will drink milk, while others will refuse to touch it. It 

 should be borne in mind that all food must be taken by the horse as 

 he desires it. No food should be forced down him. If the animal 

 will not eat, you will only have to wait until a desire is shown for 

 food. All kinds may be offered, first one thing and then another, 

 but food should not be allowed to remain long in trough or manger; 

 the very fact of it constantly being before him will cause him to 

 loathe it. When the animal has no appetite for anything the stomach 

 is not in a proper state to digest food, and if it is poured or drenched 

 into him it will only cause indigestion and aggravate the case. It 

 is a good practice to do nothing when there is nothing to be done 

 that will benefit. This refers to medicine as well as food. Nothing 

 is well done that is overdone. 



