THE MODERN HORSE DOCTOR. 315 



tion, was rendered yet more so by the tumefaction of his nostrils. 

 No treatment could be put in practice, and he in a short time 

 died. 



" The three others, though difficult of approach, received some 

 treatment. They were less agitated than the one deceased, 

 though their symptoms were the same. . In addition to oppressed 

 breathing, and full, strong, and very quick pulse, they had injected 

 membranes ; pupils dilated to an extraordinary degree ; the 

 borders of all the natural apertures swollen ; the tongue larger 

 than usual; exhibiting black spots, from the stings sticking on 

 the mucous membrane. 



" Treatment. — Dry frictions, to eradicate the stings implanted 

 into the skin ; frictions with ammoniacal liniment ; bloodlettings 

 from the jugulars. The blood appeared thick and black, and 

 quickly coagulated. Injections were thrown into the mouth. 

 All the horses died.* 



* And that such a result should happen we are not surprised. Only think ! — 

 a horse suffering the most intense agony, — the surfaces highly injected, and 

 a thousand fold more sensitive than at any other time, — is now to be submitted 

 to dry frictions ! This is similia similibus curantur with a vengeance. A high 

 state of inflammatory action is to be augmented by dry friction. To be chari- 

 table, we remark, that such may not be the object of the practitioner ; but the 

 practice must produce such result. For example : Let a person, on a chilly 

 day, seat himself before a comfortable fire ; he soon feels a glowing sensation 

 all over the body ; the oxygen from the fire stimulates the nerves of the ex- 

 posed parts, such as the face and hands, and the blood mounts up to the latter 

 with a rush. How has this been accomplished ? Not so much by increased 

 arterial action, as by excitation of the nervous sensibility, which always invites 

 an afflux of blood, and raises the sensibility of a part by means of the mutual 

 relations existing between the capillary and nervous systems. In this state of 

 primary inflammatory action, what is to be done to reduce it ? Are we to order 

 the person to give his face a sound rubbing ? The reader will see the inconsist- 

 ency of such an act ; and in the case of the horse, he laboring under inflamma- 

 tory action of even a more aggravated nature, dry friction, which increases 

 irritation, must be conducive of more harm than good. Among the many 

 reasons we may urge against bleeding a horse after being stung, we just alludo 

 to one; and that is, that the blood is not at fault — that the pain arises from 

 nervous influence. The blood has no other purpose in the economy of the 

 horse than to convey nutrition into the neighborhood of parts where it is 

 wanted. If too much accumulate in a given part, it is owing to some irritant ; 

 remove or lessen the irritation, and thus allay nervous excitement, and the pain 

 ceases. If ever a horse is to be relieved when suffering from the excitement 

 and pain described above, it can only be accomplished by some such lubricating 

 agent as just recom J " *. 



