92 TREATMENT OE INFLAMMATION. 



disturbed, that the roller be not buckled tight. Woollen 

 bandages wrapped round the legs may be regarded as part of 

 the clothing, and when the extremities are cold, become of 

 great service in restoring warmth to the limbs. 



Diet. — There is so little variation in the diet, and so 

 little in the food to disagree with the stomach, that we 

 have no occasion to dwell long on veterinary dietetics. 



The common food in stables consists of oats and hay; 

 during the existence of inflammation, it is common to with- 

 hold the oats, and substitute bran ; also to direct that the 

 bran be given in the form of mashes, in order that they 

 may be bland and laxative in their tendency, rather than 

 accumulative within the bowels, which is likely to be the 

 case with oats given during disease. On this account, green 

 meat is preferred to every other description of provender. 

 Vetches, lucerne, green clover, and various roots, as carrots, 

 turnips, potatoes^ &c., are all suited for the sick stable, 

 because they are easier digested than dry food, and like- 

 wise keep the body relaxed, as well as being more grateful 

 to the palate of the animal than the ordinary diet. What- 

 ever is given the sick horse in his box should be placed 

 within his easy reach : his appetite is often so fastidious, that, 

 rather than exert himself, he will go without nourishment. 

 For cases in which no desire to take food at all exists, aliment 

 is forced into the stomach, by drenching with water-gruel or 

 administering oatmeal balls. This force-meat plan is what 

 I do not approve of. During an inflammatory disorder, 

 food is not required, and would be apt rather to irritate the 

 stomach than benefit the body ; as soon as the disorder de- 

 clines, the appetite returns. Even though the loathing 

 continued for days, as long as the animal drank freely, I 

 would not force him. This thirst, when it is judiciously 

 managed, may be made to supply the want of appetite. In 

 place of giving water, let a pailful of well-made water-gruel, 

 perfectly cold, be hung up somewhere in the box, and let 

 this be renewed (whether drunk or not) every twelve hours. 

 Should the gruel be refused, no water must be allowed ; but 

 all drink withheld until thirst compels the gruel to be taken. 



