THE HORSE IN SICKNESS AND DISEASE 257 



as often, even supposing him to be very fond of that 

 exhilarating beverage." In the present day, however, either 

 the character of disease has changed, or it is perceived the 

 practice alluded to was founded upon a mistaken basis. 

 Horses could not now bear the loss of half that quantity of 

 vital fluid which is, on good authority, believed to have been 

 formerly taken from them. Many an animal then, having 

 influenza, has been bled into hydrothorax. Many an animal 

 has been so reduced by repeated bleedings that he has 

 ultimately sunk, not from the disease, but in consequence of 

 the measures pursued for its reduction. Bleeding has, 

 therefore, lost its repute as the specific means of cure ; for 

 any disturbance of the circulation is easier and more safely 

 equalised by the administration of a stimulant, than only 

 apparently tranquillised by the abstraction of a fluid of 

 which the animal rarely has a drop too much. 



Purgatives, in the human subject, form the next active 

 agents in combating arterial excitement; but there are some 

 peculiarities in the structure and functions of the horse 

 which render these medicines less eligible than in man. To 

 produce active purging in the horse causes great constitu- 

 tional disturbance, and lowers the powers of the constitution 

 in a remarkable manner, to say nothing of the time required 

 for their action. 



Sedatives and Nauseants are often valuable in inflam- 

 mation ; as it is a law in animal economy, that whatever 

 excites the sense of sickness, lowers the pulse in force and 

 frequency, and so diminishes the flow of blood to the 

 inflamed parts. Of these, aloes is the first, both as a pur- 

 gative, a sedative, and a nauseant. Dose, half a drachm to 

 a drachm every four, eight, or twelve hours. Hellebore root 

 is another nauseant, especially when, as in diseases of the 

 lungs, aloes are dangerous. In doses of a scruple to half a 

 drachm every four or six hours, it lowers the pulse and 

 inflammation ; but it is a poison in large doses, and therefore 

 requires close watching. If saliva oozes from the mouth, 

 and the animal hangs his head down, or turns outwards the 

 upper lip, discontinue the hellebore immediately. It should 

 be given only after bleeding has been tried. Of sedatives, 

 digitalis is the favourite, in doses of half a drachm to a 

 drachm twice a day. This also is a dangerous poison, 

 producing stupor, cold extremities, clammy mouth, vertigo, 



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