INFLUENZA. 63 



fetlock oftener than any other articulation. Eheumatism 

 often occurs as a sequel to a comparatively mild attack of 

 influenza, and may be due to the surroundings of the 

 patient, or from the poison being retained in the blood. 

 Sometimes it aff'ects the hock-joint; at other times the 

 sheath of the flexor tendons is more particularly affected, 

 or the pericardial sac may become affected, and death 

 result. It is a very insidious disease, as the animal does 

 not appear to be much aff'ected until beyond reach of all 

 human aid. 



Treatment. — The treatment of influenza is generally very 

 satisfactory if taken in time. It is a well marked fever, 

 and fevers always run a certain course ; hence we must 

 direct our efforts to enable, or help nature to throw off the 

 disease, and support the animal while the disease is run- 

 ning its course. If we cut, or attempt to cut, the fever short, 

 we do it at the expense of the patient's life. The import- 

 ance of placing the patient in a well-ventilated loose box 

 cannot be over-estimated. Clothe the body according to 

 the season. Horses are often lost through not clothing 

 them properly. Hand-rub and bandage the legs. It should 

 be borne in mind that the patient is not to be kept warm 

 by closing up the doors and windows of his box ; on the 

 contrary, while draughts should be avoided, the doors and 

 windows are to be thrown open to allow an abundance of 

 fresh air to enter, and keep the animal warm by clothing 

 properlj^ 



Medicinal remedies, as a rule, are those that tend to 

 support the system and assist nature to throw off" the 

 disease. The preparations of sodium and potassium are 

 indicated, particularly potassium chlorate, which is prob- 

 ably the most important of all medicinal agents used in the 

 treatment of influenza; 5^'^- — 5iii- doses may be given in 

 the drinking water, or in a draught. If the throat is 



