THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. - 99 



Treatment of severe Catarrh. — The same directions as re- 

 gards clothing, diet, &c, just enumerated, apply also to this form 

 of disease — gruel made of Indian meal, to which a few kernels 

 of garlic may be added, and boiled with the same until they are 

 quite soft. A very liberal allowance of this beverage must be 

 got into the horse ; if he is not inclined to drink, pour it down 

 his throat from a bottle, remembering, however, that the parts 

 around the throat are sore, and require you to proceed in the 

 most gentle manner. Be kind to your patient ; let him know, by 

 the manner in which you handle him, that your intentions are 

 friendly ; but, above all, do not elevate his head higher than 

 necessary, nor pour down the liquor faster than he is able to 

 swallow it. The principal object in the treatment of this form 

 of catarrh is, to restore the function of the skin, which is one of 

 exhalation ; and for this purpose we resort to nauseants. The 

 following is the best we know of: — 



Powdered ipecacuanha, 2 drachms, 



" lobelia, 4 drachms, 



" bloodroot, 2 drachms, 



" assafoetida, 1 drachm. 



Mix ; divide into four parts, and give one every four hours, in 

 mash or gruel : if administered in gruel, add two ounces of honey, 

 and continue the same until the whole external surface feels 

 warm, which generally happens after the administration of from 

 four to six powders. It is not advisable to continue them too 

 long when the patient is in poor condition, for the medicine is 

 rather prostrating than otherwise. Keep the rectum empty with 

 injections of warm water, into which a small quantity of soft 

 soap may be stirred. 



If the discharge from the nostrils is thick and tenacious, steam 

 the head, as recommended in article Strangles. A very trouble- 

 some cough may be relieved by adding to the gruel one drachm 

 of fir balsam, or balsam copaiba. If the patient is unwilling to 

 have a draught administered, and refuses to swallow it, even 

 though he is handled in the most gentle manner, and the cough 

 is so troublesome that something must be done, then give 



Balm of Gilead buds, (chopped fine,) ... 1 ounce, 



Powdered skunk cabbage, (ictodes foetid.,) . 3 drachms, 



" slippery elm, 3 ounces, 



" lobelia, 2 drachms. 



