INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 187 



dif^italis, emetic tartar, and nitre : they considerably lower the pulse, and 

 they are safe. 



It is of importance that we determine the blood, or a portion of it, from 

 the inflamed and over-distended part to some other refrion. On this prin- 

 ciple we warmly clothe the horse labouring under this disease, that we 

 may cause the blood to circulate freely through the vessels of the skin, and 

 that we may keep up the insensible perspiration, and perhaps produce some 

 sweating-. But do we put the horse in a warm place ? No ; for then we 

 should bring- the heated and poisoned air in contact with the inflamed lungs, 

 and increase the excitement, already too great. It is an absurd practice 

 to shut up every door and window, and exclude, if possible, every breath 

 of air ; — rather let every door and window be thrown open, and let pure and 

 cold air find access to these heated parts. It is interesting to see how 

 eagerly the horse avails himself of the relief which this affords him. If 

 no direct draft blows upon him, he can scarcely be placed in too cool a box. 



Now and then the whole skin of the horse may be rubbed with the 

 brush, if it does not teaze and hurry him ; bat it is indispensable that the 

 legs should be frequently and well hand-rubbed to restore the circulation 

 in them, and they should be covered with thick flannel bandages. As to 

 food, vve do not want him to take any at first, and most certainly the horse 

 should not be coaxed to eat. A very small quantity of hay may be given 

 to amuse him, or a cold mash, or green meat, but not a particle of corn. 



In eight-and-forty hours the fate of the patient will generally be decided. 

 If there be no remission of symptoms, the inflammation will run on to 

 congestion of the lungs, and consequent suffocation, or to gangrene. We 

 must, in this case, give the medicines more frequently ; repeat the blister ; 

 bleed, if the state of the animal will bear it; and rub the legs or even scald 

 them. If the strength now rapidly declines, the horse may be drenched 

 with gruel, and tonic medicine may be tried, as chamomile at first, and, 

 this not recaUing or increasing the fever, a little ginger and gentian may be 

 added. 



Should the heaving gradually subside, and the legs get warm, and the 

 horse lie down, and the inflammation be apparently subsiding, let not the 

 owner or the practitioner be in too great haste to get the animal well. 

 Nature will slowly, but surely and safely, restore the appetite and strength ; 

 and it is very easy to bring back the malady in all its violence by attempt- 

 ing to hurry her. The food should be the same, cold mashes, green meat, 

 or a little hay, if green meat cannot be procured, and thin gruel drunk from 

 the pail — not given as a drench. Should the horse be very weak, or scarcely 

 eat, tonics may be tried. The way should be felt very cautiously with the 

 chamomile, and the sedative medicine again be immediately resorted to 

 if there be the slightest return of fever. To the chamomile, the gentian and 

 ginger may be gradually added, but no mineral tonic. After a while, hay 

 may be offered, and a little corn, and the horse be suffered very gradually 

 to return to his former habits. 



The causes of inflammation of the lungs are changes from cold to heat, 

 or heat to cold ; exposure to cold while the horse is hot ; washing with 

 cold water immediately after exercise; sudden exposure to cold, after 

 coming from a very hot stable; frequent checks while hunting ; travelling in 

 the face of a cold wind ; the transference of general fever to the lungs 

 previously disposed to inflammation from the usual stable management ; 

 and neglected catarrh, or catarrh treated with stimulants instead of cooling 

 medicines. Any change from heat to cold, or from cold to heat, will pro- 

 duce it with almost equal certainty ; the removal from a warm stable to a 

 cold one, or from a cold one to a warmer ; from grass to the stable, and 



