250 LAMENESS. 



I have merely pointed out these essential marks of difference 

 at present ; a more detailed account of laminitis will be given 

 hereafter. 



The treatment of muscular inflammation, when not caused by 

 such a degree of violence as to destroy the vitality of the parts, 

 is very smiple, — a gentle purgative, rest, fomentations. Should 

 atrophy succeed the active stage, a mild blister. 



RHEUMATIC LAMENESS. 



The lameness is characterised by what is termed metastasis, 

 or a shifting of the seat of the disease from one part to another. 

 The favourite seats of rheumatism, occurring after influenza, are 

 the sesamoid bursse ; but it may appear in almost any serous or 

 synovial structure. It is not my intention here to enter into 

 the pathology of rheumatism, that being reserved for another 

 volume ; but I may lay down a simple rule for its treatment. 

 A strong vesicating blister should be applied to the part and 

 around it without loss of time, all other local applications being 

 in my opinion worse than useless. A blister is supposed to act 

 by attracting the rheumatic poison into its vesicles, and removing 

 it from the system by the bursting of such. It is recom- 

 mended by Dr. Eichardson and others that the blister should 

 be near, but not upon, the diseased spot ; but I have found this 

 inconvenient, and a direct application to answer every purpose. 



A horse suffering the greatest agony from rheumatism is re- 

 lieved in the course of one day, provided a numerous crop of 

 vesicles be produced. The cantharides blister is the best; a 

 purgative is useful after the blister. If the lameness be not 

 thus removed, colchicum and nitrate of potash are to be adminis- 

 tered ; and if these fail, the iodide of potassium, or carbonate of 

 soda or potash, with vegetable tonics. 



In dogs, rheumatism is commonly called Kennel Lameness. 



It attacks young sporting dogs more frequently than any 

 other class. The cause is usually to be found either in the 

 construction of the kennels or their management ; damp or cold 

 situations, bad drainage, a short supply of clean straw, and want 

 of exercise, are each and all liable to produce this intractable 

 disease. The symptoms are general rigidity, accompanied with 

 great pain, as evinced by the anxious expression, hurried breath- 



