DISEASES OF THE KESPIRATOKY ORGANS, 67 



After a time the pulse usually becomes weak and the patient Is pros- 

 trated. Diffusible stimulants, such as carbonate of ammonia in doses of 

 one drachm (well diluted with water), or sweet spirits of nitre or sulphu- 

 ric ether (well diluted), in doses of one-half to one ounce, repeated every 

 four or six hours, are now needed, and may be continued until signs of relief 

 are apparent. If the horse is inclined to drink^ half an ounce of nitrate 

 of potassium may be dissolved in each pailful of water, until the kidneys 

 are freely acted on. If the animal urinates profusely, it need not cause 

 alarm, it being due to the effort of nature to throw off effete substances, 

 and will pass off as the horse becomes convalescent. 



Inhalation of the steam arising from boiling water poured over hay in 

 the steam bag, as described on page 22, will also be found to give much 

 relief, and should be made a main point of treatment. The steam re- 

 lieves the irritated membrane and tends to loosen the mucus, and there- 

 by relieves the cough. A small quantity of carbolic acid poured on the 

 hay in the steam bag will serve to prevent the putrefaction of the dis- 

 charge. 



When, as is often the case, notwithstanding hand-rubbing and ban- 

 dages, the legs remain persistently cold, rub them with a liniment of 



Soap liniment 5 pint 



Strong liquid ammonia § i. 



and then replace the bandages. 



In addition to the above treatment, the front part or the sides of the 

 chest should be stimulated with mustard. As soon as the irritant effect 

 of the mustard has ceased, which will be in about fifteen minutes, it 

 should be washed off. In about two hours the application may be re- 

 peated, and again Avashed off as before; and this process may be repeated 

 at intervals until signs of relief are apparent. 



If signs of recovery do not become apparent, the disease will probably 

 extend to the lung tissue or to its covering membrane, and we shall 

 probably have the case complicated with pneumonia or pleurisy. A 

 horse may die of pure bronchitis, but in fatal cases the disease generally 

 runs into pneumonia or pleurisy before death. 



