THE COMPLETE FARRIER.. • 25 



A COMPOUND FEVER. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of this disease are — a slow fever, with 

 great depression ; and sometimes inward heat and outward cold, and 

 at other times heat all over, but not excessive. The horse's eyes are 

 moist and languid ; his mouth is continually moist, so that he is not 

 desirous of drinking, and when he does drink, a very little satisfies 

 him ; he eats very little, and moves his joints in a loose, feeble man- 

 ner, grating his teeth very disagreeably ; his body is generally open, 

 his dung soft and moist, and he stales irregularly, sometimes making 

 little water, and at others a large quantity, which is of a pale color, 

 and has very little sediment. 



Cure. — In the first place, take from the horse a moderate quantity of 

 blood. Let it not exceed three pints, but repeat the operation according 

 to its strength, if there be any tendency to inflammation ; after this the 

 nitre drink already described may be given, with the following addition : 



1 oz. of Snake Root. 



3 drams of Saffron. 



3 drams of Camphor, dissolved in Spirits of Wine. 



The horse's diet should be scalded bran; and linseed, boiled, and 

 wrought up with bran. Also give him the best hay by a handful at a 

 time. It is often necessary to feed him by the hand, For sometimes he 

 is not able to lift his head to the rack. 



In this disease, drinking is absolutely necessary to thin the blood ; 

 and therefore if the horse refuse warm water, he should be indulged 

 with such only as has had the cold taken off. This maybe done with 

 a hot iron, or by letting it stand in the pail in a warm stable ; and this 

 will be better than forcing warm water on the horse's stomach. If 

 this method do not prove sufficient, but the fever shall continue to in- 

 crease, the following balls should be given immediately, as the danger 

 augments every hour. 



1 oz. of Camphor. 

 i do. Gum Myrrh. 



1 do. Squills. 



2 drams of Castor. 



Make them up into two balls, and give one at night, and the othei 

 in the morning. If no better in a short time, give the following infusion : 



1 oz. of Snake Root. 

 *• 2 do. Gentian Root. 



2 do. Lemon Peel. 

 2 drams of Saffron. 



Boil these well- together in three quarts of water, and give a pint 

 once a day. If the above ball fail of success, give the following: 



1 oz. of Camphor, dissolved in Spirits of Wine. 

 ] do. Sal Ammoniac. 

 1 pint of good Vinegar. 



Put them all together, and stir them about till the fume subside. 

 This is for two doses to be taken at twelve hours' distance, diluted with 

 water. There is not perhaps a more powerful and effectual medicine 

 known than camphor in all kinds of putrid fevers, it being active, 

 attenuating, and particularly calculated to promote urine and perspi- 



