174 HOW TO PHYSIC A HORSE. 



whicli is most fatal to him. It requires immediate and 

 most active treatment. It is sometimes sudden in its attack, 

 but is generally preceded by fever. The pulse is not al- 

 ways much quickened, in the first instance, but is indistinct 

 and depressed. The extremities are painfully cold ; the 

 lining membrane of the nostrils becomes intensely red ; the 

 breathing is quick, hurried, and seems to be interrupted by 

 pain, or mechanical obstruction. The horse stands stiffly, 

 with his legs far apart, so as to distend his chest to the 

 utmost, and is singularly unwilling to move, or to lie down, 

 persisting in standing up, day after day and night after 

 night : and if at last compelled by fatigue to lie down, rises 

 again after a moment's repose. The pulse soon becomes 

 irregular, indistinct, and at last almost imperceptible. The 

 legs and ears assume a clay-like, clammy coldness, — the 

 coldness of death. The lining of the nostril turns purple ; 

 the teeth are violently ground ; the horse persists in stand- 

 ing, until he can stand no longer, when he staggers, drops 

 and soon dies. 



For this disease, the only remedy that can be depended 

 upon is the lancet. The horse must be bled, not accord- 

 ing to quantity, not only till the pulse begins to rise, but 

 until it begins to flatter or stop, and the animal begins to 

 faint. The operator should watch this effect, with his fin- 

 ger on the pulse, while the bleeding is in process. At 

 the end of six hours, if the horse still persist in standing 

 and the laborious breathing still continue, the bleeding 

 should be repeated to the same extent. This will generally 

 succeed in conquering the strength of the disease. If a 

 third bleeding be necessary, as is sometimes the case, it 

 mast not be carried beyond four or five quarts, lest not 

 only the disease, but the recuperative power be subdued. 

 After this, if the symptoms return, successive bleedings 

 to the extent of two or three quarts should be used, to 



