156 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



and occasional doses of 60 drops of sulphuric acid in half 

 a bucket of cold water. Half ounce doses of the sulphite 

 of soda may be given as an alkali. Do not bleed or 

 purge. 



(2.) Chronic Rheumatism. — I have no hesitation in 

 saying that chronic rheumatism in a joint is one of the 

 most prolific causes of occult or hidden lameness in horses ; 

 and not only that, if there be no swellings to point to as 

 a proof of the correctness of your opinion, many will pit 

 upon your judgm'ent; but it is with this, as with the first 

 fruits of the earth — under a covering of snow ; time is 

 allowed for full development. 



Treatment of Chronic Rheumatism. Give a few doses 

 of aconite root, followed by the colchicum or saffron 

 seeds — the sulphuric acid and the alkaline, as is recom- 

 mended in acute rheumatism, but not pushing them to 

 su?ch an active extent. A liniment may be tried, applied 

 to the rheumatic joint or joints. Chloroform and olive 

 oil, equal parts, to be used once a day, with friction by the 

 hand. One part of the tincture of aconite root, may, in 

 addition, be used to advantage with the chloroform. 



(3.) — Rheumatism. — Accompanying Diseases of the 

 Throat. — This form of the affection is often seen in such 

 company, and is due to the fact that the same serous or 

 fibrous tissue or membrane, is affected in each of these 

 diseases; nevertheless, we do not see cases of throat dis- 

 ease following rheumatism; as by this, it seems that 

 those membranes are not capable of reflecting upwards 

 and backwards their sympathy or feeling, as the nerves of 

 the body are. So, therefore, I am inclined to the belief 

 that rheumatism in this form, is the effect of disease in 

 the throat, and not a cause of the disease. 



