INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 641 



this kind of treatment has upon an ordinary case of pneumonia 

 is beyond my comprehension ; it can only add to the irrita- 

 tion of the inflamed part, and increase the amount of exudation, 

 if pursued in the earlier stages. I have seen it extensively 

 tried, and must confess the results have been most disastrous. 

 In the later stages, during the deliquescence and absorption of 

 the exudate, if the pulse be small, or in any degree presenting 

 the double or dicrotonous character, when the system is de- 

 pressed by the obnoxious effects of large quantities of effete 

 materials in the blood, moderate doses of stimulants are both 

 necessary and beneficial. The practitioner should, however, wait 

 until the consolidative stage has to some extent disappeared, 

 and secondary crepitations established. Four or six ounces of 

 whisky or brandy may then be given two or three times a day ; 

 not every hour, as recommended by some practitioners. The 

 effect of the first doses must be carefully noted ; if they stimulate 

 the appetite, they are to be repeated ; but if they cause distress 

 in the breathing, or any signs of exacerbation, they are to be 

 discontinued. 



During the pyrexia from seven to ten drops of Fleming's 

 tincture of aconite may be given with advantage. It appears to 

 exercise a beneficial influence, allaying irritation and lowering 

 the temperature both in horses and cattle, and is to be preferred 

 to opium, belladonna, or any other sedative. In the dog, the 

 hydrate of chloral is to be preferred to aconite. The bromide of 

 potassium or ammonium also exercise a calmative effect, and 

 may be given to all animals in suitable but not large doses. 



Calomel, opium, digitalis, tartar emetic, seem to have no effect 

 in curtailing the duration of the malady. Opium is only admis- 

 sible when the pneumonia is associated with pleuritic pain. 



Purgatives are inadmissible in the horse on account of the 

 sympathetic and irritable condition of the alimentary mucous 

 membrane. 



If constipation be extreme, enemas, or a small dose of oil, are 

 to be preferred to the more active cathartics. Aloes is contra- 

 indicated, and should never be given. In horned cattle a saline 

 cathartic may be given in the early stages, for the purpose of 

 unloading the stomachs and alimentary canal, and thus give 

 greater freedom to the respiratory movements. 



Nitrate of potash given dissolved in the animal's drinking 



2 T 



