PNEUMONIA. 97 



practitioner dates recovery as certain, after lie has. 

 beheld the animal which is suffering pneumonia repos- 

 ing upon the ground. 



A seton in the chest is generally inserted : but it 

 does no good, and by annoying the horse must do 

 some harm. It is of service only by informing the 

 practitioner of the chance of recovery ; for if the 

 seton produces no suppuration the case looks badly • 

 but if it causes a plentiful secretion, the discharge 

 denotes that the body is recovering its functions, and 

 a cure generally ensues. Moreover pus is secreted 

 at much expense to the system. To institute a drain 

 is certainly an odd practice, when it is desired that 

 the animal should speedily regain strength and re- 

 cover from the late attack of a debilitating disorder. 



When blistering the horse for pneumonia there are 

 two ways of proceeding : — either with the blistering 

 ointment, or according to the most humane and the 

 better plan with the simple liquid blister, thoroughly 

 rubbed upon the parts ; no previous preparation 

 being necessary excepting the removal of the hair, 

 though even the last measure is not absolutely im- 

 perative. The ointment will require the less fric- 

 tion, as many small pieces of cantharides are retained 

 within the fat; and these particles can act upon the 

 skin after the lard has been dissolved. Such small 

 pieces of cantharides, however, often cause fearful 

 sores, and continue the action long after the pro- 

 prietor wishes all the irritation should cease. A 

 liquid blister, however, requires to be rubbed in for 

 some time; the period differing with the state of the 

 weather. Ten minutes of brisk friction will be suffi- 



