INFLAMED LUNG3. BLISTERING AND ROWELUNG EMPLOYED. 75 



Jissection of the lungs, in chap. 2, pages 31 to 34; but he will please to re- 

 member, I am not at present prepared to maintain, that the real cause of a 

 destroyed lobe, which I have just suggested, is more correct than that ven 

 tured by me at page 33. 



Bleeding, though highly beneficial at first, when the animal system is in full 

 vigour, is extremely dangerous after the inflammation has continued some 

 time. When (the fever continuing) weakness is indicated by swelling of the 

 legs, or nature seeks to relieve itself by a running at the nose, then bleeding 

 will be harmful ; this latter was considered a most favourable indication of crisis 

 in the epidemic fevers of my youth; but 1 sincerely hope that the groundless 

 fears the rumour of such a plague engenders, never more will visit us with 

 affright : the idea of infection, in such cases, is too ridix;ulous to admit of refu- 

 tation. 



Weakness follows, of course, every attack of so vital an organ as the lungs, 

 and is a necessary consequence of the great evacuations of each sort his ex 

 treme danger has rendered indispensable. But cordial balls, or indeed, stimu 

 lants of any sort, are very improper, and might occasion a partial relapse, if 

 given before the animal is quite recovered. Good grooming, diet, and exer- 

 cise, constitute the means of restoring his strength. Let him be well rubbed 

 down, daily, and his nostrils s{>onged out clean and often, when the discharge 

 takes place, which most commonly attends the cure; the same offensive mat- 

 ter must be cleaned away from the stall and manger, and he may be led forth 

 daily whilst this business is going on. Hand-rubbing the legs should con- 

 tinue, so as to promote warmth , and they may be subsequently wrapped up, 

 especially if the weather be chilly, with hay-bands, &,c. Exercise may be 

 gradually increased as the patient gains strength and appetite. At first, good 

 stout oat-meal gruel, sweetened with coarse sugar or treacle, alternating this 

 with wheat-meal, in order to coax his appetite; then oats which have been 

 steeped in boiling water may be given, and next put him to hay of fine odour, 

 in small quantities at a time. If grass or green vetches can be procured, a 

 little, and not too much, may be cut for the now convalescent horse, in order 

 to keep open his body ; on the contrary, should he appear low spirited, a little 

 malt occasionally will give him more vigour before leading him to the field 

 every day, or leaving him there in clothing, whilst the sun may be out, if it 

 shine at all. 



Blistering and rowellino are recommended by most veterinarians, a-s 

 tending to divert inflammatory heat from the more vital part of the surface. 

 The theory is good; in the practice of human medicine I believe blistering is 

 universally adopted ; and this is one reason why I ever looked upon this 

 means of cure with suspicion, even before I ascertained that the general heat 

 or fever is always increased by the employment of either blister or rowel. 

 Both are of the same nature; and the practitioner may learn how either 

 citrates on the system by ascertaining the state of the pulse previously to the 

 application, and comparing it with the increased action of that barometer 

 whilst the remedy is taking effect. Subsequently, however, it must be con- 

 fessed, the agitation of the pulse will subside; and although I seldom find oc 

 casion for employing either blister or rowel, yet 1 am free to allow, that the 

 manner in which inflammation of these organs sometimes terminates (namely 

 nil abscess, or soft tumour under the skin), seems to invite an early adoption 

 ^f artificial means to bring about the same ends. The hand-rubbing just re- 

 commended effects this to a certain extent; and if it has been neglected, or 

 Idzily performed, then will blistering become necessary to prevent suppuration 

 within. 



As this tumour usually makes its appearance and marks the crisis of acute 

 attack?, the practitioner may form an estimate of the probable beneficial of- 



