64 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



involved, great care must be observed in administering 

 draughts. Give plenty of cold water, and encourage the 

 animal to drink it. If I were compelled to make a choice 

 of one agent, to the exclusion of all others, with which to 

 treat influenza, I would choose potassoe chlorat. ; the 

 administration of which should be continued for five or six 

 days, until by increased appetite, improved pulse, the 

 animal becoming brighter, etc., it becomes evident that 

 nature is getting the better of the disease. In acidity of 

 the stomach, sodcT carb. is to be given ; and as stimulants, 

 liq. acet. ammon. 5ii. — 5iii., in water, or alcohol, beer, 

 whisky, wine, etc., in the usual quantities may be given. 

 Some veterinarians recommend the use of milk to sustain 

 the animal, but this description of food is not suitable for 

 the horse, and if he has any appetite at all he should not 

 be given milk or eggs — the food should be of a nutritive 

 and laxative character; however, if the appetite is very 

 poor, anything he will take may be given, as a nice bit of 

 hay, a carrot, or an apple. The judicious use of stimulants 

 is to be persevered in ; and, in this case, I think a good 

 alcoholic stimulant, as good old whisky, is the best of all 

 stimulants. Beef tea is also recommended. In the con- 

 valescent stages use tonics, as iron, gentian, etc., but do not 

 overdo stimulation, or the administration of beef-tea, milk, 

 eggs, etc. Occasionally a case is met with where a sedative 

 may be of use ; but this is very rarely. Belladonna, 

 hydrarg. subchlor., opium, and digitalis, etc., have all been 

 recommended, but close observation of the results obtained 

 tends to prove that they are not of much benefit except for 

 the cough. If the throat is sore, fomentations or applications 

 of the ammoniacal liniment should be tried, or cantharides 

 tr., mustard, etc. ; and in an exceptional case it may be 

 necessary to use hydrarg. iodidum rubrum, especially when 

 strangles and influenza co-exist, and an abscess is forming. 



