HORSES. 127 



onsider it necessary in this case ; but a cure may gen 

 erally be effected without this operation. Give a mod- 

 erate dose of physic, but not of aloes, in this case ; and 

 if there be costiveness, give clysters ; and back-rake, if 

 necessary, owing to obstinate constipation. Give the 

 following fever medicine, or some other sedative dose : — 

 Powdered digitalis, one drachm ; emetic tartar, one 

 drachm ; saltpetre, three drachms ; sulphur, one drachm : 

 linseed meal, two drachms ; beat together, and make 

 into a ball, and give twice a day ; or mix in gruel, and 

 turn down. 



After the inflammation has abated, a seton may be 

 inserted in the breast, or the breast and sides may be 

 blistered. Keep warm ; well clothed ; rub often ; allow 

 pure air ; give bran mashes and green food ; or, if in 

 winter, give carrots or potatoes, and a little clover hay ; 

 but feed lightly, until the inflammation abates. 



PLEURISY. 



This is an inflammation of the pleura, which is a thin 

 membrane enclosing the lungs and lining the chest. 



Causes. The principal are exposure to cold and wet. 

 sudden changes in temperature, hard riding, and the 

 absurd practice of riding horses, when hot, into cold 

 water, to save trouble in washing them ; riding against 

 a sharp wind on a very cold day ; and wounds pene- 

 trating into the chest, and injuring the pleura. 



Symptoms. In some respects, there is no difference 

 between the symptoms of an inflammation of the pleura 

 and the lungs. Fits of shivering ; loss of spirits and 

 appetite ; hanging of the head, and disinclination to 

 move, are the same in both complaints. In pleurisy, 

 the cough is shorter and more painful. The breathing 

 is different. In the lung complaint, the inspiration or 

 drawing in of air is very slow, and the expiration or out- 

 breathing is quick, and almost spasmodic. In pleurisy, 

 the inspiration is a short, sudden effort, and seems 

 broken off suddemy, before completed ; and then the 

 animal expires as slowly as possible, in order to avoid 

 the repetition of the p lii ul spasm. 



