IXFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 643 



In the horse the application of either mustard or turpentine 

 causes very great distress, a high state of excitement, an increase 

 of the febrile disturbance, and often tends to hasten a fatal 

 termination. For these reasons the indiscriminate employment 

 of such remedies is highly condemnable. "Warm fomentations to 

 the sides, however, afford relief ; and they should be persistently 

 employed in all cases marked with rapidity or distressful 

 breathing. 



When the extremities remain very cold, the return of warmth 

 and. circulation will be much assisted by frictions, or the applica- 

 tion of a mild embrocation and bandages ; and, to sum up, it may 

 be stated that the successful treatment of pneumonia consists 

 in the following essentials : — 1st. Placing the patient in a well- 

 ventilated loose box, where the air is pure, abundant, but not 

 too cold. The necessity of pureness of air will be understood by 

 reference to the observations of Sir Thos. Watson quoted at 

 page 559. If the air he impure, suppuration of the lungs to an 

 extreme extent will be apt to be established, as impure air con- 

 tains organic germs in great abundance, and these, gaining access 

 to the inflamed part, increase the tendency to the formation of 

 pus. In the winter months, especially if the weather be cold, I 

 liave noticed that coldness of the air increases the pulmonary 

 inflammation, and that after a very cold night an animal has 

 been in a state of approaching collapse in the morning. To 

 prevtint the occurrence of the mortality from the above cause, 

 veterinary establishments ought to be furnished with loose 

 boxes, where the air can be artificially warmed to a temperature 

 of at least 70° F. 2d. The surface of the body, extremities, 

 and head are to be kept warm by suitable, but not too heavy, 

 clothing ; frictions, and the application of non-irritating stimu- 

 lants to the extremities, being useful in cases where they are 

 deatlily cold. Sd. The horse is to be allowed as much cold 

 water as it will drink ; but it is not advisable to allow it to 

 drink a large quantity at once. If it be permitted free access to 

 water whenever it pleases, by placing it in its box or stall, it 

 will generally partake of it in sufficient but not over-abundant 

 quantity. 4:th. The febrile condition must be treated according 

 to the intensity of the symptoms. If the fever be high, nitrate 

 or chlorate of potash are to be administered, but if, on the con- 

 trary, the fever be of an adynamic type, carbonate of ammonia 



