ACUTE AND CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. 203 



through negligence or drunkenness, and sometunes until he is 

 scarcely able to move. But a more common method, and, un- 

 fortunately, one too often authorised by the inn-keeper, or 

 conch-master, — for theirs are the horses most commonly so 

 treated, — is that of plunging them into the pond ; and, not 

 satisfied with a short immersion, they are generally kept thei'e 

 for the purpose of -washing the carriage also. The apology for 

 this practice is, that the horses are thereby refreshed ; but the 

 inducement really is, I believe, that it saves trouble. The in- 

 jury this does is not always immediate, nor is it always percep- 

 tible ; but one thing post-masters may rest assured of, it always 

 occasions some degree of muscular debility. It must not be 

 supposed, however, that immersion in cold water will alone do 

 this mischief; on the contrary, in summer, when they have no 

 work, but are merely exercised, they are greatly refreshed and 

 benefited by it : the mischief arises in consequence of previous 

 exhaustion by excessive exertion. 



[The symptoms of this disease usually appear somewhat sud- 

 denly, and are, great stiffness, and inability to move ; severe 

 pain ; considerable fever ; quick, strong, and full pulse, 70 or 

 80 in a minute ; the respiration is very quick ; the dung generally 

 hard, and covered with mucus ; but the skin and legs are warm, 

 and the horse prefei's a standing posture, unless the joints are 

 severely affected. The blood, when drawn, is almost invariably 

 covered with a thick buffy coat. 



The disease generally is not attended with a fatal termination, 

 however severe may be the symptoms, unless the internal viscera 

 are much affected, and then it is usually fatal. 



The appetite is not diminished in proportion to the severity 

 of the other symptoms. There is in this complaint a great dis- 

 230sition to metastasis. The disease flies from one part to ano- 

 ther, and very frequently to the feet. 



Treatment. — The horse must be bled very copiously, until, 

 indeed, the pulse becomes almost imperceptible : and this should 

 be repeated as often as the pulse becomes hard and strong. 

 Back-raking and clysterlng must next follow, and the latter be 

 frequently repeated. The following draught should then be 

 given : — 



Aloes, dissolved in warm water 2 drs. 



Linseed oil 1 pint. 



Tartarlsed antimony 1 dr. 



Nitre 3 drs. 



Spirit of nitrous ether 1 oz. 



Mix. 



If the lungs appear to be Inflamed, the aloes should be 

 omitted, and also if the dung is not hard. 



