rEA'ETlB.] 



MODERN VETEllINARY PllACTICE. 



[rEVXB& 



di'bilitv oxi^tinj; in tlio inalif^iiant kind, is seen 

 in tlie purging wliicli is usually pivsi'i\t, and a 

 fcBtid, stinkinpf disclinrf^o from tlio nose also- 

 The breath is likewise jiarticularly disacjrecablo, 

 and the pulse quick and small, attended with 

 extreme weakness. 



In treatinc: of nialis^nant cpidi'mic, it is 

 hardly necessary to say anything about bleed- 

 ing, as that may be considered the principal 

 cause of the disease. As soon as any appear- 

 ances of malignity present themselves, the 

 most active means must be employed to sup- 

 port the strength, rouse the action of the 

 system, and destroy tlie putrid tendency. For 

 the accomplislimcnt of this, take a nose-bag, 

 and fill half-lull witli bran ; then take 

 Chloride of Lime . . . . 2 oz. 

 Water (warm) .... 1 gallon. 



Moisten the bran with this liquid, and put the 

 bag on the horse's head, that he may inhale 

 the chloride, which will remove the putrid 

 tendency. Care must be taken not to have 

 the water too hot. Repeat three or four 

 times a day, for about half-an-hour each time. 

 Give malt mashes, and nutritious glysters, 

 either of rice-water or starch, and administer 

 the following ball: — 



Cantharides .... 5 grains. 



Arsenic 5 do. 



Sulphate of Iron ... 2 drachms. 



Aloes, Cape , . . . 1 do. 



Juniper Berries ... 1 do. 



Let these be well incorporated ■with honey, 

 and given every morning, or every second 

 morning. By this method of treatment a suc- 

 cessful termination of the disease may be 

 anticipated. 



SYMPTOMATIC FEVER. 



A symptomatic fever is a degree of inflam- 

 mation and increased circulation, occasioned 

 by some distinct or local pain, and is not a 

 disorder within itself; but probably the eflect 

 of, and dependent on, some other disease for its 

 being produced. This fever is so influenced 

 by the cause, and so entirely regulated by its 

 changes, either for better or worse, as to be 

 constantly reduced to an alleviation of the 

 original complaint, and totally dispelled by a 

 removal of the disease to which it is a conco- 

 mitant. The fever being only a symptom of 

 Bome other, the mere eflect of preternatural 



heat excited by extreme pain, and not a 

 distinct disease, let the original cause bo re- 

 moved, and, as a matter of course, the eflccl 

 will cease. 



It has been repeatedly urged by authors of 

 great repute, that every fever is one and the 

 same disorder, only appearing difl'erentlv, ac- 

 cording to the various circumstances it meets 

 with in dific-rent constitutions ; and much 

 might be advanced in favour of this assertion. 

 For want of due attention to the diflerence of 

 stages, many fine horses have been hastily 

 condemned. Persons should not only be ac- 

 curately nice in the discrimination of disease, 

 but, by attending minutely to circumstances, 

 endeavour to develop the indications of nature, 

 and strengthen all her eff'orts. In such cases, 

 no person can be too well acquainted with the 

 qualities of medicines, or with what is to bo 

 expected from their efi'ects ; and should have in 

 view, on every emergency, their operations, 

 whether certain or probable relief is to be 

 obtained. These ends should be promoted by 

 every fair and gentle means which circum- 

 stances may justify, or discretion dictate. 



Symptomatic fever is most frequently 

 brought on by a general cutaneous obstruc- 

 tion, or sudden constriction of the pores of the 

 skin, which will constitute the foundation of 

 every fever to which the animal can possibly 

 be subject. Inflamed feet will produce it ; 

 tumours of almost all descriptions ; even nail- 

 ing a shoe on too tight will produce sympto- 

 matic fever; besides wounds, and almost all 

 operations that are attended with severity, 

 blisters, &c. 



With respect to symptoms, the most certain 

 of these are, a universal heat, and disordered 

 pulse ; a palpable disquietude and uneasiness, 

 shifting from place to place. Tlie horse labours 

 under difiicult respiration ; his mouth is very 

 dry, his tongue parched and hot; be declines 

 his food, but will drink water; and sometimes 

 seizes his provender with seeming eagerness, 

 then drops it in disappointment. The body is 

 generally costive ; and in the early stage of 

 disease, there is a alight proportion of obstruC' 

 tion of urine. 



Let a fever proceed from whatever cause, 

 the modes of cure are still the same ; such as 

 diminishing the preternatural heat to that 

 degree which constitutes its healthy state. 



2G7 



