118 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



without producing fainting. The same method of treatment 

 may be pursued whenever the lungs are in this congested state, 

 though arising from other causes than over-exertion ; if, indeed, 

 in inflamed lungs, the pulse is at the onset particularly weak or 

 impei'ceptible, a stimulant may be employed with advantage, 

 though it is not desirable to continue it. 



Bloodletting is, however, our sheet-anchor in the treatment of 

 inflamed lunos ; and unless we are enabled to abstract a laro;e 

 quantity, our chance of recovery is but slight. It is, however, 

 useless to prescribe the abstraction of any particular quantity of 

 blood ; its effect on the pulse should be our guide. A large 

 orifice should be made in the jugular, and the bleeding continued 

 until the mouth becomes considerably cooler, and the pulse 

 altered in its character, and if befoi'e hard or full, till it becomes 

 soft and scarcely to be felt. The quantity of blood abstracted 

 before this effect is obtained may vary from eight pounds to 

 sixteen, according to the state of the pulse and the peculiarities 

 of the animal. The bleeding may, if necessary, be repeated in 

 diminished quantities, once or twice, with intervals of six or 

 twelve hours ; but it is the first bloodletting on which we must 

 principally depend. The appearance of the blood must not be 

 allowed to have much influence over our treatment. It is not, 

 however, to be altogether despised, but is chiefly useful in assist- 

 ing our prognosis as to the termination of the case. If the blood 

 flows tardily, is very black, and forms a very weak coagulum, 

 the chances are altogether unfavourable : if, however, it presents 

 a thick buff}' coat, and very firm coao;ulum, we may conclude 

 that the horse is in a state not only to demand but to bear 

 extensive bleeding, and we shall generally find beneficial effects 

 succeed its employment. Indeed, in cases of inflammation, it is 

 better to find the blood presenting a buffy coat than otherwise; 

 unless it should be likewise of a thick muddy aspect, which is a 

 bad sio-n. 



Medicines.- — ^ Although bleeding must be our px'incipal remedy, 

 yet we must not despise other assistance. Although it is desir- 

 able in some degree to unload the bowels, we must take care 

 not to purge, for if we do so, death will probably follow ; and from 

 sympathy between the bowels and other parts, a much smaller 

 dose will act on them than in a state of health. If, therefore, 

 the bowels are not costive, no aperient will be required ; but if 

 otherwise, we should administer an injection, after backraking, 

 and give about a pint of linseed oil ; after this mild aperient, which 

 should not be repeated, Ave may give a drachm of tartarized an- 

 timony, halt" a drachm of calomel, three drachms of nitre, and 

 one of digitalis. It is a dangerous practice to administer small 

 doses of aloes until the bowels are acted on, as by this time a 

 sufficient quantity may accumulate in the system to do irreparable 



