DISEASES OF THE HOESE. 511 



and haj tea, milk, eggs — an5^thmg which the stomach or rectum can 

 be coaxed to take care of — must be employed to give the nutriment 

 vrhich is the only thing that will permanently strengthen the tissues, 

 and they must be strengthened in order to keep the capillaries at their 

 proper caliber. 



Laxatives, diaphoretics, and diuretics must be used to stimulate the 

 emuncTtories so that thc}^ shall carry off the large amount of the prod- 

 ucts of decomposition, which result from the stagnated effusions of 

 anasarca. Of these the sulphate of soda in small repeated doses, and 

 the nitrate of potash and bicarbonate of soda in small quantit}- , and 

 the chlorate of potash in single large doses, will be found useful. 

 Williams cites the chlorate of potash as an antiputrid. Stimulants 

 and astringents are directly indicated. Spirits of turpentine serves 

 the double purpose of a cardiac stimulant and a powerful warm diu- 

 retic, for the kidneys in this disease will stand a wonderful amount of 

 work. Camphor can be used with advantage. Coffee and tea are two 

 of the diffusible stimulants which are too much neglected in veterinary 

 medicine; both are valuable adjuncts in treatment in anasarca, as they 

 are during convalescence at the end of any grave disease which has 

 tended to render the patient anemic. Dilute sulphuric acid and 

 hydrochloric acid are perhaps the best examples of a combination of 

 stimulant, astringent, and tonic which can be employed. The simple 

 astringents of mineral origin, sulphates of iron, copper, etc., are use- 

 ful as digestive tonics; I doubt if they have any constitutional effect. 

 The vegetable astringents, tannic acid, etc., have not proved efficacious 

 in m}^ hands. Iodide of potash in small doses serves the triple pur- 

 pose of digestive tonic, denutritive for inflammation, and diuretic. 

 Among the newer forms of treatment are diluted Lugol's solution 

 injected into the trachea, antistreptococcus serum and colloidal silver 

 solution injected into the circulation. No one but a qualified veteri- 

 narian would be competent to appl}" these remedies. 



Externally. — Sponging the swollen parts, especially the head, when 

 the swelling occurs there, is most useful. The bath should be at an 

 extreme of temperature — either ice cold to constrict the tissues or hot 

 water to act as an emollient and to favor circulation. Vinegar may be 

 added as an astringent. When we have excessivel}^ denuded surfaces, 

 suppuration, or open wounds, disinfectants should be added to the 

 wash. 



\x\ cases of excessive swelling, especiall}' of the head, mechanical 

 relief may be required. Punctures of the part should be made with 

 the hot iron even in country' practice, as no other disease so predis- 

 poses to septic contamination. When mechanical asphyxia is threat- 

 ened tracheotomy may be demanded. With the first evidence of 

 dyspnea, not due to closing of the nostrils or glottis, or with the first 

 pawing which gives rise to a suspicion of colic, a nuistard plaster 



