360 DISEASES OF BEEATHING^. 



enema of warm water; and if there is much depression, which 

 would be caused by the accumulation of impurities in the blood, 

 administer the following ball, which has long found favour among 

 veterinary surgeons : — 



Aloes ... ... ... ... ... 2 drachms. 



Tartar emetic ... ... ... ... 1 drachm. 



Nitre 1 ,, 



Linseed meal, enough to make up the ball. 



Foment the sides with warm water for a couple of hours, dry the 

 skin, and, in order to prevent the part becoming chilled, rub in 

 the following liniment: — 



Soap liniment ... ... ... ^ pint. 



Strong liquid ammonia ... ... 1 drachm. 



The fomentation may be arranged by soaking a blanket in hot 

 water, wringing it moderately dry, placing it over the back and 

 sides, and then covering it over with a waterproof sheet, or dry 

 blanket. Before the first blanket is removed, a second one should 

 be got ready; and so on. The water should not be so hot as to 

 inflame the skin; for a soothing, not an irritating, effect ought to 

 be the desired object. 



After the fomentations are finished, clothe warmly, so that the 

 skin may act freely. Hand-rub the legs Avell, rub in some of the 

 soap liniment, and put on fiannel or straw bandages to reach above 

 the knees and hocks. 



Give the animal plenty of cold water to drink, and keep him 

 quiet. Let the food consist of gruel, bran and linseed mashes, 

 6;x;alded carrots, and green grass or lucerne. Give an ounce of 

 nitre the first day in a mash or in the water, and half an oimce 

 on the following day; stopping it when the urine becomes abun- 

 dant. Drenching had best be avoided, as it distresses the horse. 



If the breathing becomes distressed and the temperature very 

 high (say, 105° F. or over), we may blister the hind quarters, or 

 shoulders and fore-arms, with mustard, or, if the hair is long, with 

 equal parts of camphor liniment and soap liniment; or with oil 

 of turpentine diluted with twice the amount of sweet oil. Next 

 day we may apply camphorated oil or sweet oil to the blistered 

 parts to soothe and soften them. 



If the pulse indicates high arterial tension (p. 356), we may 

 bleed (p. 638) to, say, the extent of three quarts. Here, we should 

 be careful to note any change which may occur in the character 

 of the pulse. 



If we find that the patient does well, simply by being carefully 

 nursed, we should adopt no other treatment. 



