Treatment of Rheumatism. 179 



dullness, quickened pulse, hot skin, often perspiring (but not 

 with the sour smell noticed in the disease in man), and thirst. 

 The appetite is poor, the bowels generally constipated, the 

 urine high colored and scanty. Very often the lameness 

 will be in the joints on both sides of the body. Quite fre- 

 quently it rapidly changes its seat, passing from one joint to 

 another and back again to its first seat. It is confined to no 

 particular part, and may pass from the legs to the neck, caus- 

 ing a stiffness of the neck, commonly kno^m as " the chords,^' 

 or " the cords; ^' or to the back, when it is called ^^ lumbago ; ^' 

 or to the heart, leading to inflammation of its envelope, or 

 ^^pericarditis," always a dangerous complication. When 

 in the joints, it produces a considerable swelling, soft and 

 puffy, tender to the touch, and slow to disappear. 



Chronic rheumatism is not so liable to change its seat. It 

 attacks a joint and brings about grave changes in its struc- 

 ture, such as ulceration of the cartilage and increase of bony 

 deposit around it. The lameness so produced is obstinate to 

 treatment, and the tendency of the disease to return on the 

 slightest exposure is very great. Fever is generally entirely 

 absent in chronic rheumatism, and the general condition of 

 the animal may remain quite good. 



Treatment. — In the treatment of acute rheumatism the 

 most important discovery of modern times is. the use of sail- 

 cijUg acid. This, if given early and freely, and backed by 

 proper nursing and care, will cut short nearly every case. 

 The following is a proper formula : — 



No. 192. Salicylic acid, 



Bicarbonate of soda, each 1 oz. 



Mix in a pint of water or gruel, and give as a drench, three or four 

 times a day. 



The body should be well wrapped, the stable kept at a 

 moderate temperature, and if necessary, the slings should be 

 applied. If there is much constij)ation it is usually custom- 



