164 STABLE MANUAL AND HORSE DOCTOR 



If febrile symptoms appear, the same step may be taken, 

 but not to the same extent. The symptoms of fever are not 

 characteristic of pain, though the breathing is often affected. 

 In a febrile affection the horse is languid, his coat loses its 

 even, glossy appearance, and becomes what the grooms call 

 " staring " ; the legs and feet are cold, and the appetite is 

 gone ; the bowels are usuall}^ confined, and the general look 

 of the horse is what one would describe as miserable rather 

 than restless and uneasy. In such cases we should recom- 

 mend frequent, but not copious, bleeding, and the bowels 

 should be opened by purgative medicine ; two drachms 

 of aloes is a sufficient dose, to be repeated every ten or 

 twelve hours, and if they fail to operate, a clyster would 

 probably prove of service ; the stable should be cool, and 

 the horse kept warm, by extra clothing. His legs should 

 be well rubbed, and bandaged with flannel rollers. 



Whenever the severe symptoms, whether of inflammation 

 or fever, are subdued, anxious attention should be given to 

 the horse's diet. Gruel and bran mashes will keep the 

 bowels slightly relaxed, and should be continued till he 

 shows signs of returning appetite ; but some time should 

 be suffered to elapse before he is indulged with his usual 

 food. 



It is no uncommon thing for the owner to abandon the 

 case as hopeless when he sees his horse spontaneously lying 

 down. This is a great mistake ; a horse in great pain will 

 lie down and roll himself about ; but, unless to relieve him- 

 self, where the legs or feet are injured, a horse that is ill 

 will continue standing as long as his strength will permit ; 

 it is considered a favourable sign if he lies down on the 

 litter without being compelled by actual debility ; and it 

 follows, of course, that instead of relaxing exertion, all the 

 remedies should be pursued more actively to save him. 



In cases of recent local injury, fomentations, poultices, 

 and local bleeding are generally serviceable ; this is parti- 

 cularly the case in strains of the back sinews or accidents 

 to the foot. It is very important in such cases to watch 

 closely the operations of the country farrier. Fomentations, 

 and even poultices, are troublesome, and therefore not con- 

 tinued, even if first adopted. To a recent wound in shoeing 

 or treading on a nail. Friar's balsam may be usefully applied ; 

 but where the wound is severe, this or any stimulant will 

 increase the inflammation to a mischievous extent. The 



