8o VETERINARY HOMCEOPATHY. 



do not pretend to assert; but one thing is quite clear, that what- 

 ever produces the disease, it is in a very marked degree affected 

 by atmospheric surroundings. Some cases being aggravated by 

 damp, while others are affected by dry cold, and these indications 

 serve as very reliable guides in the selection of a remedy. By 

 some the malady is considered to be due to hereditary taint, but 

 with this view we do not concur, save that in our opinion all 

 diseases are more or less hereditary; by which we mean that 

 if either sire or dam have during their life been the subject of au}^ 

 disease in an acute form, there is a probability of a tendency to 

 that particular disease, whatever it may be, in the offspring; 

 among the principal causes which operate in the development of 

 rheumatism may be included poverty, indifferent diet, unhealthy 

 surroundings, exposure, fatigue and moisture. 



Treatment. — There are three remedies which are pre- 

 eminently suitable to cure rheumatism namely Aconite, Bryonia 

 and Rhus toxicodendron, and in the majority of cases they cover 

 the whole ground so far as horses are concerned, there are, how- 

 ever, some few exceptions which will be duly noted as we pro- 

 ceed. 



Aconite 3X:. — Fever pronounced, temperature 103 degrees or 

 over. Restlessness, unable to stand still, although it gives pain 

 to move; affected parts red and swollen; very tender to the touch; 

 respirations hurried; unable to pass water, with evident pain when 

 it is attempted; swelling shifts from one leg to another in cold, 

 dry weather; skin dry and hot, great thirst. 



Bryonia 3X. — Stiffness of joints; inability to move; breathing 

 evidently painful, respirations short and catchy; joints swollen 

 but not red; skin is dry generally but perspiration bursts out oc- 

 casionally, when the stable atmosphere may have an acid smell; 

 thirst is considerable; stools dry and dark in color; cold, dry winds 

 aggravate, moving about increases the pain as evidenced b}' the 

 animal refusing to move when called upon; pain in the chest. 



Rhus toxicodendron 3X. — Damp atmosphere and wet weather 

 aggravate symptoms; horse moves about and evidently obtains, 

 relief from so doing; affected parts swollen and red; warm ap- 

 plications seem to relieve; great tenderness on manipulation as 

 when the limb is strained; continued restlessness whether lying 

 or standing. 



