GENERAL, CONTAGIOUS, AND ENZOOTIC DISEASES. 257 



take on an unhealthy action from no apparent cause, and this action ex- 

 tends to neighboring parts, and sloughs may result. Great caution should 

 therefore be used in applying strong blisters or setons in influenza, even 

 if for other reasons they were not objectionable. 



When an animal is recovering from a severe attack of influenza vre 

 must not expect any great and rapid improvement. The change will be 

 gradual. We must wait patiently, and be satisfied to look on and seek 

 to aid nature in the gradual restoration of the system. After a bad case 

 there will be, during convalescence, frequent changes, slight accessions 

 of fever, inequality of heat and cold on the surface of the body and legs, 

 and slight shiverings. The appetite will only slowly return, and will be 

 irregular in character. It is always a good sign to see the horse lying 

 down, and comfortable in that position, especially if the breathing is not 

 accelerated by it. 



The treatment during convalescence is simply good nursing and care- 

 fully regulated administration of tonics. 



In most cases the liver is functionolly deranged, more or less affected, 

 and there is a peculiar straw-colored discharge from the nostrils. 



Treatment. — The great aim must be to sujoport the animal through 

 the disease, and enable nature to get rid of the morbid material in the 

 system. 



Good nursing is the primary requisite. Keep the body warm, with 

 blankets if necessary. Let the food consist of warm bran mashes, or 

 boiled oats, and mix one-half ounce of nitrate of potassium in the food 

 once a day, and give plenty of water to drink. It is a good plan to keep 

 water where the horse can get at it at all times. In mild cases no active 

 treatment will be needed and the animal will begin to recover in from 

 four to six days. 



The medical treatment consists mainly in avoiding drastic purgatives 

 and strong sedatives. Saline agents, however, such as sulphate of mag- 

 nesia (Epsom salts) in doses of from one and a half to two ounces for 

 several days, or Robertson recommends: 



Nitrate of potassium 3 ij- 



Powdered camphor, 



Ext. belladonna aa 3 ss. 



Sweet spirits of nitre 31. to 3 ij. 



Acetate of ammonia § iv. 



Twice a day. 



17 



