2/6 DISEASES OF THE HORSE'S FOOT 



On the other hand, when the disease has occurred as a 

 result of long standing in the stable and an overloaded 

 condition of the bowels, or where one full meal of some 

 constipating food, such as whole wheat, pea or bean meal, 

 wheat or barley meal, has occasioned the attack, then a 

 dose of aloes at the commencement of the treatment is 

 productive of good. 



Suitable febrifuges are found in potassium nitrate, 

 potassium chlorate, sodium sulphate, or magnesium sul- 

 phate, either of which or a mixture of two or more of them, 

 the animal will readily take in his drinking-water. 



The administration of sedatives is also indicated. In 

 this connection aconite will be found most useful. More 

 especially in the early stages of the disease, when pain is 

 excessive and the temperature high, will its good effects be 

 noticed. This also the animal will often take in his drink- 

 ing-water. iWe have been in the habit of so prescribing 

 the B.P. tincture in ^-dram doses three times daily. By 

 its use the temperature is rapidly lowered, the pulse re- 

 duced in number and in fulness, and the pain in some in- 

 stances perceptibly diminished. With others hypodermic 

 injections of morphine and atropine have given equally 

 satisfactory results. 



Needless to say, good nursing is a sine qua non. During 

 the first stages of the fever a light and easily digested diet 

 should be allowed — bran-mashes, roots and grass when 

 obtainable, and a carefully regulated supply of water. 

 The animal should be warmly clothed and the box well 

 ventilated, even to the opening of the doors and windows. 

 Only in this way is pneumonia as a sequel sometimes pre- 

 vented. The patient's comfort should be attended to in 

 providing him with a suitable bed. Anything in the shape 

 of long litter should be avoided. When nothing else is at 

 hand, litter that has already been broken and shortened 

 by previous use is best. With this the box floor should be 

 thickly covered, and matting of the material prevented by 

 constant turning. A good bed for the horse with laminitis 

 is peat-moss mixed with short straw. This, without being 



