THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 215 



up to a certain intensity, and then, all things being favorable as 

 regards the patient's previous health, management, &c, the un- 

 favorable symptoms subside gradually, and the subject conva- 

 lesces into a normal condition. Some medical treatment, advice 

 at least, may be needed. A veterinary surgeon should be con- 

 sulted if possible ; he may do nothing by way of medical treat- 

 ment, but his advice will prove invaluable, and, in the end, of 

 great pecuniary advantage to the patient's master. The treat- 

 ment of small-pox or scarlet fever occurring in human subjects 

 in the London hospitals is a very simple affair to what it was a 

 few years ago, and, in consequence, those maladies are less fatal 

 So with reference to scarlatina in the horse — the medicines, if 

 any are indicated, must be few and simple. The owner of the 

 horse cannot err in carrying out a proper system of hygiene, so 

 strictly observed in well-conducted hospitals. As a febrifuge, 

 water acidulated with cream of tartar is the best : this may be 

 given at discretion ; it allays inflammatory symptoms, cools the 

 thirst, promotes the secretions and excretions; in short, is just 

 the drink for a fever patient. 



A kind of sloppy diet may at first be used, composed of 

 scalded fine feed, &c. ; a small quantity of sweet hay will be 

 required, to keep the stomach employed, and to distend it to a 

 healthy capacity ; yet, in the early stages of this disease, we need 

 not be very solicitous about the quantity of food necessary ; for 

 if we should half starve the patient just at thi3 time, it is of little 

 importance, provided he has an abundance of good water and 

 sloppy gruel to drink. When the disease has so far advanced 

 as to exhaust the patient's strength, then it is time for us to 

 loosen the string of the meal bag. 



If the bowels become constipated, at any stage during the 

 progress of this affection, a dose of sulphur and cream of tartar 

 (one ounce of the former, and half an ounce of the latter) may 

 with perfect safety be given, arid also repeated, if necessary. It 

 is best to give the medicine in the form of drench. The after 

 treatment depends altogether on circumstances ; if the patient 

 has had a careful nurse during his sickness, he may not require 

 any medicine. 



