SIMPLE FEVER. 449 



other poisonous substances, which merely produce fever and other 

 general symptoms, are not specific, and may be found in many 

 other organisms. It is a matter of the greatest importance to keep 

 in mind this twofold nature of the poisonous substances of disease- 

 producing organisms." The substances which produce high inter- 

 nal temperature (fever), perform their office by their action on the 

 heat centres of the nervous system, and are not necessarily products 

 of organisms which give rise to special diseases. It is obvious 

 that we should regard fever as a symptom, and not as a disease. 



In some cases, as in malaria, the microbes of a disease produce 

 their harmful effect, chiefly by their direct action on the system. 



GENERAL TREATMENT.— Here, our objects are: (1) To check the 

 action of any disease germs that may be in the body, by giving antiseptics, 

 such as quinine, arsenic, salicylic acid, nitre, and salt ; (2) to stimulate the 

 skin and other excretory organs, so as to get rid of the waste products of 

 tissue change, the retension of which would tend to poison the system; (3) 

 to allay distressing symptoms; (4) to keep up the strength. 



The action of antisejJtics in these diseases appears to be as follows : On 

 being absorbed into the blood, they check the development of disease germs, 

 and the manufacture of ferments and specific poisons (toxins, p. 19) in the 

 same manner as they would do in the case of ordinary blue mould in a liquid 

 in which they were dissolved. 



Simple Fever 



is a condition of the body in which the internal temperature is 

 higher than natural. It usually rims its course in a week or less. 



The SYMPTOMS are : increased internal temperature ; frequent 

 pulse ; quickened breathing ; dulness ; and loss of appetite. 



The CHIEF CAUSES are : exposure to heat ; exhaustion from 

 violent and prolonged exertion ; nervous shock ; the influence of 

 unhealthy surroundings ; and infection by bacteria which produce 

 substances that act on the heat centres, but do- not give rise to 

 special diseases. 



Although simple fever is rare in England, it frequently occurs in 

 India and other tropical countries, the usual causes being exposure 

 to the sun and imperfect ventilation of the stable during hot 

 weather, especially, when the animals are highly-fed and but little 

 worked. Well-bred horses, and those of dark colour, resist the 

 effects of the sun far better than those of a coarse breed or of a 

 grey or white coat. 



TREATMENT. — If possible, remove the animal to some healthy 

 situation, if the sanitary conditions of his abode are defective. 

 Nurse him carefully ; allow him soft food to eat, and an unlimited 



29 



