THE MODERN HOUSE DOCTOR. 71 



Small doses of ipecac and lobelia may be given occasionally in 

 thin gruel, in view of relaxation of the tissues. Injections must 

 also be given. 



Many practitioners object to giving fluid in a case of lung 

 fever, for fear it will excite the animal. Human practitioners 

 might, with the same propriety, prohibit their fever patients (in- 

 fants) having medicine forced down their throats, for the same 

 reason ; and if they were treated in the same rough manner as 

 the horse is, the prohibition would be judicious. To give ahorse 

 a ball, under the circumstances, is perfectly absurd ; we might 

 just as well substitute a canister shot ; for, before the former 

 can be digested, the horse is about to kick the bucket. 



Having administered the above draught, we next resort to 

 counter irritants. These must be applied particularly to the legs, 

 with constant hand rubbing, until they are quite warm ; then a 

 flannel bandage is to be applied to each leg, and the process of 

 rubbing to be again repeated, should they again become cold. 

 Every drop of blood thus invited and retained in the extreme 

 vessels is so much gained towards relieving the congested state 

 of the lungs. Our usual counter irritant is, — 



Oil of cedar, 4 drachms, 



Oil of sassafras, 2 " 



Dissolve the above oils in a wine-glass of alcohol ; then add 



Tr. capsicum, (or hot drops,) 1 pint. 



"With a view of promoting the insensible perspiration, the ani- 

 mal should be covered with suitable clothing, not enveloped in a 

 mountain of blankets, or butfalo skins, as we frequently see them ; 

 but a single blanket, with flannel leggings, will probably be all 

 that is needed, even in cold weather. In the hot season a linen 

 covering will be the most suitable. Our only object in clothing 

 the animal at all, is, to retain the insensible perspiration in the 

 immediate vicinity of the surface ; we then have the materials 

 (warmth and moisture) which are generally needed to keep up 

 the relaxation of the capillary and excrementitious vessels of the 

 external surface. 



If the disease is seen and treated according to the above rules, 

 very little else is needed ; for, the blood by this means being 

 equalized, there can be no congestions any where. We have 

 then only to maintain the equilibrium of the circulation, and thi3 



