DROl'ST.] 



MODEllN VETERINARY PRACTICE. 



[DB0P8T. 



tinued evacuations, the 8uppressit)n of urine, be found for their cause. If they appear in a 



'":n''"L'r'a iiorse, not hav in-; been recently ridden, 

 it may naturally bo concluded that it ia con- 

 gestion of the brain, which may exi«t without 

 any viaible pain or pressure. Should this bo 

 the case, the animal must not be bled, but 

 take of 



the sudden striking-in of eruptive humours, 

 the obstruction of the lungs, exposure for a 

 length of time to a moist atmospliere, laxity of 

 the exhnlents, defective absorbents, topical 

 weakness — in which case it is most frecpientj 

 and, indeed, it may arise from anything that 

 produces debility. 



DROPSY OF THE HEAD. 



This atiection does not frequently attack the 

 horse ; but when it does so, it is very likely 

 to puzzle the young practitioner, as he may be 

 apt to take it for the staggers, the symptoms 

 being very like those which appear in that 

 disease. Water in the head, when it occurs in 

 the horse, is generally in consequence either of 

 injuries done to the brain itself, or of blows 

 from falls, or from schirrous tumours, or ex- 

 crescences within the skull, from original 

 laxity, weakness in the brain, or from general 

 debility, and an impoverished state of the 

 blood. 



AVith respect to its proximate cause, very 

 opposite opinions are still entertained by many 

 clever writers ; which, in conjunction with the 

 equivocal nature of its symptoms, prove a 

 source of considerable embarrassment to both 

 old and young practitioners. . Some believe it 

 to be inflammatory, and, in consequence, bleed 

 largely. Slight inilaramation, in the first case, 

 may cause a deposition of fluid on the brain ; 

 but this inflammation has, by its eflects, pro- 

 duced debility. A torpor of the absorbent 

 vessels may also occasion the disease, and a 

 consequent debility in those vessels to perform 

 their functions. 



It sometimes happens in horses that are 

 brought up immediately from grass, and ridden 

 rather sharper than they ought to be, which 

 causes congestion of the brain ; but as we 

 shall have to speak of that disease in its proper 

 place, we will now enter on the symptoms of 

 dropsy in the head. 



AVhon a horse is attacked witli tliis, he re- 

 fuses his food, hangs his head down in the 

 manger, is dull, and seems careless of all kinds 

 of nourishment ; hanging liimself forward, rest- 

 ing his whole weight on his fore legs, looking 

 as if he was going to sleep, and wanted rous- 

 ing up. 



When these symptoms appear, a reason must 



Watery solution of Aloes 

 Nitre .... 

 Linseed Meal 



'1 do. 

 . '1 do. 

 Mix for a drink, and give immediately. 



Let the horse have plenty of room, such as 

 a loose box, or bay of a barn. Let him havo 

 plenty of straw, in case he should lie down, 

 and be inclined to roll or knock himself about. 

 Should this treatment not appear to reliete 

 him, apply a blister to the poll or back of tho 

 neck, composed of 



Cantharides 

 Ilog's Lard 



2 drachms. 

 2 oz. 



Let this ointment be well rubbed in beliind 

 the ears. 



Should the disease be occasioned by blows, 

 or falls, &c., examine the head well for any 

 convincing proof of the pain that may be exist- 

 ing there. Should there be evidence of this, 

 do not hesitate immediately to open the tem- 

 poral artery, and abstract as much blood as 

 you can, without the horse's fainting. Should 

 he begin to tremble, it is time to leave ofi", for 

 the object has been gained. 



Secure the artery in the following manner: — 

 Have a curved needle, armed with doubled 

 whity-brown thread, and take up the lips as 

 directed in sutures ; then lay a pledget of tow 

 over the orifice, tie up the suture, and tho 

 bleeding will be stopped. 



For feed, give very little, or no hay, but 

 bran mashes. Do not give any corn. We re- 

 commend bleeding, if tiie disease arises from 

 blows, because this is most likely to stimulate 

 the absorbents to perform their natural func- 

 tions. For the medical treatment, proceed as 

 before directed. 



DROPSY OF THE CHEST. 



This, as a primary affection, is not common 

 in the horse ; but, as a secondary attack, is fre- 

 quent, and more especially in an attack of in- 

 flammation. It consists of a collection of fluid 

 within the cavity of one or both of the plurae; 



235 



