INFLUENZA OR CATARRHAL FEVER IN HORSES. 277 



produce active purgation in the horse is to cause great 

 irritation, and to destroy much more of the powers of the 

 constitution than under some circumstances can he spared. 

 It also requires so great time to effect it, that our de- 

 pendence on it is lessened. 



Diaphoretics and nauseants are by some veterinary sur- 

 geons thrust down the animal's throat, as though a horse 

 w^hich was seriously ill was determined, if it w^ere not pre- 

 vented by physic, to devour all before it. Of this we may 

 be certain, that in every inflammatory state the appetite is 

 lost. The return of a desire to feed is to be looked for 

 and hailed as a symptom of recovery, not prevented as 

 though it were an actual danger, and demanded physic to 

 delay its return. Diaphoretic are all nauseants, and w^ere 

 they not, are very weakening. The quantity of tartar 

 emetic administered to an animal in disease is often suffi- 

 cient to injure the texture of the stomach. These medi- 

 cines are given without rhyme or reason, simply because 

 something must be done. The inflammation may by such 

 means be reduced, but so Is the animal at the same time, 

 and a long loss of services with a long course of tonics is 

 the consequence, even if the life be not destroyed. 



Diuretics also affect the strength, which is always weakened 

 in disease, and therefore these agents are to be avoided. 



Diluents are of no use to the horse, as the animal in 

 sickness will partake of no form of sustenance. A pail of 

 chilled, or rather warmed water, should however be placed 

 in the manger, and changed several times during the day. 



Every horse, in almost every state of disease, should be 

 placed in a loose box, the air of w^hich should be free and 

 cool. Draughts are to be avoided, neither should the wind 

 blow upon the animal, but the current of air ought to be 

 constant, and the clothing hght. Rugs are improper, and 

 a sheet is at such a time sufficient. All noise or excite- 

 ment should be suppressed, and the sick horse be made as 

 comfortable, and kept as quiet as though a Christian, and 

 not an animal, w^re suffering. 



EPIDEMIC CATARRHAL FEVER, OR INFLUENZA, IN HORSES. 



This fever purposely heads the description of diseases, 

 as being one of the most frequent which attacks horses. 



