EPIZOOTIC PNEUMONIA. 375 



There is, however, a very rare exception to these objections to 

 external stimulants during the second stage of the disease, 

 occurring in that condition where the horse neither gets better 

 nor worse for several days — "hangs fire," as it is commonly 

 termed. In such instances a weak solution of mustard, by 

 gently stimulating the skin, will often induce the beginning of 

 convalescence, and act as a stimulant to the whole body. In no 

 other condition are counter-irritants beneficial, and in this, care 

 must be taken not to apply them too strong nor for too long a 

 time. The sides should be quickly rubbed over with about two 

 or three ounces of mustard mixed in a quart of warm water, and 

 the parts covered over with paper or linen. If one application 

 does no good, it is not advisable to apply another ; but if the 

 horse seems to improve for a time and then relapse, a second or 

 even third application may be admissible. 



3d. The application of blisters causes pain and increases the 

 fever. If applied to the sides they impede the respiratory move- 

 ments by the pain they cause, and thus add to the distress and 

 suffering of the animal. The cantharidine absorbed into the 

 system causes irritation of the urinary organs, sometimes con- 

 gestion of the kidneys, interferes with their excretory functions, 

 and by the pain and disturbance thus induced adds materially 

 to the febrile condition, and often causes the animal's death. 

 Horses that recover from the disease naturally do so much more 

 rapidly than those which have been blistered, and which are often 

 a long time in overcoming the effects of the blister; with raw 

 sides, they remain for weeks in their stables unfit for work. 

 Sometimes, more especially if the blisters have been oft repeated, 

 the animal becomes much emaciated, is unthrifty, the blistered 

 skin will slough, and when it finally recovers the blemish remains 

 for life. Finally, animals which die from the disease do so much 

 easier than those which have been severely blistered. Indeed, 

 the agony of death from disease bears no comparison to that 

 from treatment. 



Having now pretty strongly condemned what I consider to be 

 wrong in principle and disastrous in practice, I must proceed to 

 describe the treatment whicli has proved successfuL 



During the premonitory fever, in addition to housing, clothing, 

 &c., already described, the animal is to be allowed an abundant 

 supply of cold water to drink, warm or cold bran mashes, which- 



