Treatment of Laminitis. 115 



of the heart occurs only in acute inflammation, 

 it is in that form alone that general remedies are 

 required; these are blood-letting, active purga- 

 tives, and depressants. Bleeding alone, though 

 often repeated, will not suffice to subdue inflam- 

 mation, for each bleeding is followed by reaction, 

 and that reaction again establishes the inflamma- 

 tion. . . . By combining dejjletion with depress- 

 ing remedies, we save blood and avert chronic 

 disease. The great principle to be observed in 

 acute inflammation is to subdue it at once, so as 

 not to allow reaction, and give the small blood- 

 vessels time to contract to their proper size. 

 Aconite^ given in ten-grain doses in half a pint 

 of cold water every Jiour^ diminishes the vascular 

 and nervous excitement after two or three doses ; 

 the patient seems inclined to lie down and sleep, 

 which seems to be the desideratum so strongly 

 urged by Mr. Greaves — viz. get the weight off 

 the feet. Large doses of aconite produce alarm- 

 ing symptoms and considerable excitement, but 

 in small doses I have often seen its sedative 

 effects almost instantaneous. Aconite being a 

 most powerful medicine, should be always used 

 with great caution ; Fleming's tincture is by far 

 the safest, if it is thought advisable to give large 

 doses. The largest should be given first, and 

 this must not exceed 20 minims^ in one ounce 

 of liq, ammonia acet. and a pint of water ; in four 

 hours half the quantity, and in five hours after, 

 one quarter. Over-doses of aconite are known 

 by a great depression, anxious countenance, 

 accelerated breathing, increased rapidity, and 



