466 GENEEAL DISEASES. 



the strength. Both the carbonate of ammonia (a powerful dif- 

 fusible stimulant) and the nitre (a diuretic) appear to have a well- 

 marked action in retarding the coagulation of blood in the vessels. 

 During the progress of the disease, the animal should be freely 

 suiDplied with common salt, which is not alone a useful antiseptic, 

 but also tends to keep the blood fluid, and is necessary for the 

 building up of tissue. 



• We should not be deterred from giving a laxative by the exist- 

 ence, in the animal, of great debility, which will be relieved as 

 soon as the bowels begin to act. This seems to indicate that the 

 weakness is caused by the presence, in the blood, of some dele- 

 terious matter (p. 448) which acts on the nervous system. As the 

 bowels, in this disease, are very susceptible to the action of pur- 

 gatives, we should give such medicines only in small doses. 



If there be soreness of the throat, neither carbonate of ammonia 

 nor turpentine should be given, as either medicine would cause 

 irritation, and thus greatly distress the animal. In place of them, 

 linseed oil and nitre may be substituted, and may, respectively, be 

 given in the mash and water. 



Owing to the debilitated state of the animal and danger of blood- 

 clots being formed, aconite should not be given ; as it is a sedative 

 to the action of the heart. Opium is also contra-indicated ; for its 

 administration affects the brain, and checks excretion. 



If symptoms of abdominal pain be present, a ball or a soft mass, 

 made up with treacle, of — 



Camphor ... ... ... ... 2 drachms. 



Extract of belladonna... ... ... 1 drachm. 



may be given twice, or, if need be, three times a day; or one- 

 twentieth of a grain of sulphate of atropine, subcutaneously (p. 

 633), may be used instead. Relief may be obtained by warm 

 fomentations to the sides. If constipation exists along with the 

 colicky pains, the bowels should be regulated by administering an 

 enema, and giving, say, a quarter of a pint of linseed oil twice a day. 

 If diarrhoia be present, it should not be checked, unless when it 

 threatens to reduce the strength too much, and then, only by giving 

 a thin solution of starch or flour gruel, which may have some 

 powdered chalk mixed through it. 



If the rheumatism prove obstinate, it should be treated as de- 

 scribed under that heading (p. 524). 



Contagious Pleuro-Pneumonia {Dry Influenza). 



Although the term " influenza " should be restricted to catarrhal 

 affections which spread over large areas of country, it is also 



