Diseases of the Horse. 1 43 



may be judiciously treated by the numerous remedies of 

 a medical or .surgical character. As a preliminary to the 

 general context on general diseases we append, as follow, 

 some remarks on Fever, Inflammation, &c. 



Fever. 



By this term we understand a disturbed condition of 

 the system, characterised by perverted or arrested func- 

 tion, more or less general. The various secretions are 

 diminished or altogether withheld. The nervous system 

 indicates an increased sensibility or unusual excitement ; 

 and, by the influence exerted upon the organs of respira- 

 tion, reproduction, and notably those engaged in nutrition 

 and depuration, all are, more or less, involved, or their 

 functions suspended. The system is thus bordering upon 

 a state of more serious derangement, and if allowed 

 to proceed, a condition of confirmed disease is esta- 

 blished. 



Three kinds of Fever are recognised, viz., Simple or 

 Ephemeral, Symptomatic or Sympathetic, and Specific. 



Simple Fever is defined to be that short-lived or 

 ephemeral state of disturbance often noticed in highly-fed 

 animals, occupying close stables, and breathing a warm, 

 but not necessarily tainted, atmosphere. It may arise 

 from the irritation caused by badly-fitting harness, or the 

 discomforts of a short journey under the hands of a rough 

 or otherwise injudicious driver. Colts under breaking 

 often exhibit this form of simple disturbance. A slight 

 increase of circulation, respiration, and animal tempera- 

 ture will be observed, with a hot dry mouth, diminished 

 secretions, slight constipation, &c. In a short time, 

 varying from one to several hours, after a draught of 

 water, a bran mash, or moderate meal of green food, 

 roots, &c, the symptoms have disappeared, and the 

 animal is apparently none the worse. We cannot, how- 

 ever, limit the understanding to the only conclusion that 

 this state of so-called simple or ephemeral fever is not 

 without significance. Diligent inquiry should be insti- 

 tuted with the view of correcting existing abuses, and 



