DISEASES OF RESPIRATORY PASSAGES AND ORGANS. 107 



and tend to effect chemical changes in the blood. The most valu- 

 able agent, in this view, is carbonate of ammonia. In veterinary 

 practice this agent is considered as one of the most valuable diffu- 

 sible stimulants. It acts first on the nerves of the stomach, and 

 through them excites the whole nervous system. It may be given 

 in doses from one to three drachms, either in the form of bolus or 

 drench. Its stimulating influence over the heart and nervous sys- 

 tem may be increased by the addition of one or more drachms of 

 good Jamaica ginger. This treatment may be continued until 

 congestion subsides, which may be known by the fullness of pulse 

 and heat of the external surface of the body, and by other symp- 

 toms which usually attend fever in its inflammatory stage. 



The exciting or stimulating plan of treatment must never be 

 entirely abandoned. To husband the powers of the system, and 

 thus guard against subsequent prostration, must be our chief object 

 Although the case may require a sedative to-day, in the form of 

 two or three drachms of fluid extract of gelseminum, yet, in the 

 course of a very few hours, the prostration becomes so apparent that 

 we are again compelled to exhibit life-sustaining agents. Excit- 

 ants, or counter-excitants, are also, at times, needed externally. 

 If the patient has a deep-seated cough, strong liniment, composed 

 of oil of hartshorn (and sometimes oil of camphor), must be applied. 

 Often I anoint the parts with a thick paste, composed of mustard 

 and vinegar. The membranes of the fauces (throat) are exces- 

 sively sore ; then the same course has to be pursued. At the same 

 time, a mucilaginous drink, composed of flaxseed sweetened with 

 honey, must be allowed. The nervous system must also be aroused 

 by the application of the above liniment to the spinal column. 

 At another stage of the malady, diaphoresis (increased perspiration) 

 must be excited by clothing the body with flannel, and drenching 

 with a preparation known as solution of acetate of ammonia, to 

 the amount of six or eight ounces per day, until the skin feels soft 

 and warm. In case sederna (local dropsy) of the body or extremi 

 ties sets in, the patient then requires diuretics. One or two ounces 

 of sweet spirits of niter, or two ounces fluid extract of buchu, may 

 be given in linseed tea, until the kidneys respond, and the secretion 

 of urine becomes augmented. The bowels are sometimes inactive, 

 but that inactivity may be corrected by adding to a bran-masb 

 from fcnr to six drachms of fluid extract of mandrake. Occa- 

 sion/' le patient becomes uneasy, paws with his fore-feet, and 



