PLEURISY. 245 



injurious. As the disease assumes an inflammatory character, 

 the breathing becomes more disturbed, the mouth hot, flanks 

 heaving, and the nostrils expand and contract violently. 

 Blisters must now be applied to the sides and breast, and 

 those which will act quickly. The author prefers the follow- 

 ing : of pulverized cantharides half an ounce ; lard one ounce ; 

 eroton oil twenty drops ; linseed oil sufficient to make it 

 liquid. Divide the following into five parts, and give one 

 part internally every two hours : liquor ammonia acetatis 

 twelve ounces ; extract of belladonna one ounce ; water one 

 pint. If there is no improvement in twelve hours, give one 

 scruple of white hellebore with three drachms of nitre every 

 four hours until its action is manifest. This remedy, however, 

 is a dangerous one in the hands of any but the qualified prac- 

 titioner. Instead of it, the tincture of aconite may be used — 

 indeed, it is one of the very best remedies. Take of tincture 

 of aconite half an ounce to an ounce of water ; give twenty 

 drops on the tongue every three hours. Active purgatives 

 should not be given ; injections, however, are very useful. 

 The horse should be kept on a low diet for a few days, as 

 bran mashes, carrots, or green food ; but no hay should be 

 allowed, and a pail of water should be kept before him. This 

 is regarded by the author in all inflammatory diseases as one 

 of our best medicines. 



PLEumsT. 

 By pleurisy is meant an inflammation of the pleura, or mem- 

 brane covering the lungs and internal walls of the chest, without 

 the lungs being involved in the inflammation ; when, however, 

 they partake of its inflammatory action, it is styled pleuro- 



