INFLAMMATIONS.] MODERN VETERINARY PRACTICE. [inflammations. 



more; nor should even n third blt.'eclin<jj, thougli 

 in a lesa dojj^roe, bo omitted in other four hours, 

 if the irifl.iniinatory appearances have not be- 

 come mitii^atoil. The blooding may be known 

 to have a sahitary on'oot by the pulse boccuning 

 softer and fuller, particularly if it shows a dis- 

 position to rise as the blood ilows. Here also 

 it is proper that the blood bo abstracted 

 quickly, and from a large orilicc. 



As soon as the tirst bleeding is over, the 

 animal should be back-raked, in order to re- 

 move any hardoncd dung that may obstruct 

 the passage, and which, if sulfored to remain, 

 will infallibly aggravate the complaint, and, 

 indeed, in many instances, is the cause of it. 

 The distressing stranguary that sometimes 

 accompanies inflammation of the bowels, is 

 also, frequently, as much produced by the 

 pressure of hardened excrement, as by any- 

 thing else. 



It is not the dropping away of a few balls 

 of hardened dung, or the passage of some 

 thin glairy matter, which shows that no ob- 

 struction exists ; on the contrary, when these 

 are present, a most obstinate costiveness may 

 yet remain farther up in the passage ; and a 

 flow of thin faeces may escape by a groove, 

 formed by the side of an obstructing portion 

 of dung. Unless, therefore, there be an evi- 

 dent free passage to all the fsecal matter, and 

 unless the excrement be wholly softened, it is 

 always proper to rake ; for it must not be lost 

 sight of, that whether as a consequence, or a 

 cause, constipation aggravates the disease, and 

 is always present. 



A complete recovery seldom, if ever, 

 takes place, until these faecal matters are re- 

 moved. It is always of consequence to bear 

 in mind, that as the state of the bowels, is 

 such as not to render it prudent to allow of 

 strong purgatives being given by the mouth, 

 so the greater activity is required to empty 

 them mechanically, and by the assistance of 

 clysters, which should be thrown up very fre- 

 quently. The next thing to be done is to raise 

 a brisk external inflammation over the bellv, 

 to lessen thereby the internal affection ; and, 

 in this case, even cantharides are hardly quick 

 enough in their action. A more speedy deter- 

 mination to the skin may be made, by first 

 fomenting the belly with hot water for a 

 quarter of an hour, and then by applying a 



large mustard poultice, farther liquified with 

 oil of turpentine, or with the li(juid blister 

 (see List of Mfdicines), which may bo .spread 

 on coarse linen, or a horse-cloth. What, how. 

 ever, is still more preferable, ia the fleshv side 

 of a newly stripped sheepskin, covered with it, 

 and then applied close to the belly by means 

 of flannel rollers, to retain it in its situation. 

 AVlien tliis has remairu'd on for three or four 

 hours, if an evident abatement of symptoms 

 does not show itself, proceed to blister in the 

 usual way. It next becomes a consideration 

 as to what remedies may be given by the 

 mouth, which must greatly depend on the de- 

 gree of costiveness with which the animal is 

 distressed. In a ca-se where the obstruction 

 does not appear obstinate, we should recom- 

 mend that castor and linseed oils be given 

 combined— six or eight ounces of each, shaken 

 together, with a little gruel. When the bowels 

 are more closely constricted, take of— 



Solution of Aloes . . . . 2 oz. 



Sokuion of Khubarb . . . 2 do. 



Good Gruel i quart. 



Repeat this every three or four hours, till full 

 evacuation is obtained. Before the costiveness 

 is overcome, care must be taken not to in- 

 crease the distension of the bowels with 

 much liquid given by the mouth ; but when a 

 passage is obtained, take about three quarts of 

 good oatmeal gruel, and the same quantity of 

 linseed-meal tea. Mix these well together, 

 and keep them constantly warm, and occa- 

 sionally horn a little down; when consumedi 

 repeat the quantity. 



This must be the only food given to the 

 horse until a decided amendment is apparent, 

 when he may, by slow degrees, be brought 

 into the use of his ordinary food ; but this, at 

 first, must be dealt out to him with a verv 

 sparing hand, lest the disease return, in whicii 

 case it almost always proves fatal. In case 

 the animal is very restless, a loose box would 

 be the most preferable place for him ; or, if 

 situated in the country, where no such tliitif^ 

 can b^ obtained, the bay of a barn, or even 

 the floor, well littered down with straw, 

 would be preferable to a stable or stall. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE INTESTINES FROM 

 SUFERPURGATION. 



As the former affection consists of a phleg- 



299 



