492 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



it numbs the nervous system, which plays an important part as a con- 

 ductor of irritation in diseases. 



Blood-letting is the most rapid means, and frequently acts like a 

 charm in relieving a commencing inflammatory trouble. One must 

 remember, however, that the strength of the body and repair depend 

 on the blood. Hence blood-letting should be practiced only in full- 

 blooded, well-nourished animals and in the early stages of the disease. 



Cathartics act by drawing off a large quantity of fluid from the 

 blood through the intestines, and have the advantage over the last 

 remedy of removing only the watery and not the formed elements 

 from the circulation. The blood cells remain, leaving the blood as 

 rich as it was before. Again, the glands of the intestines are stimu- 

 lated to excrete much waste matter and other deleterious material 

 which may be acting as a poison in the blood. 



Diuretics operate through the kidneys in the same way. 



Diaphoretics aid depletion of the blood by pouring water in the 

 form of sweat from the surface of the skin and stimulating the dis- 

 charge of waste material out of its glands, which has tlie same effect 

 on the blood pressure. 



Antipyretics are remedies to reduce the temperature. This may be 

 accomplished by depressi^g the center in the brain that controls heat 

 production. Some coal-tar products are very effective in this way, 

 but they have the disadvantage of depressing the heart, which should 

 always be kept as strong as possible. If they are used it must be with 

 knowledge of this fact, and it is well to give heart tonics or stimu- 

 lants with them. The temperature of the body may be lowered by 

 cold packs or by showering with cold water. This is a most useful 

 procedure in many diseases. 



Depressants are drugs which act on the heart. They slow or weaken 

 the action of this organ and reduce the quantity and force of the cur- 

 rent of the blood which is carried to the point of local disease; they 

 lessen the vitality of the animal, and for this reason are now used 

 much less than formerly. 



Anodynes quiet the nervous system. Pain in the horse, as in the 

 man, is one of the important factors in the production of fever, and 

 the dulling of the former often prevents, or at least reduces, the latter. 

 Anodynes produce sleep, so as to rest the patient and allow recupera- 

 tion for the succeeding struggle of the vitality of the animal against 

 the exhausting drain of the disease. 



The diet of an animal suffering from acute inflammation is a factor 

 of the greatest importance. An overloaded circulation can be starved 

 to a reduced quantity and to a less rich quality of blood by reducing 

 the quantity of food given to the patient. Foods of easy digestion do 

 not tire the already fatigued organs of an animal with a torpid diges- 

 tive system. Nourishment will be taken by a suffering brute in the 



