280 VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SURGERY. 



to the severity of the fever, and its advance or defervescence. At times 

 there is coalescence of these spots, or a connection of one with another 

 by rays stretching between them. The general appearance of the mem- 

 brane upon which the punctated blood-markings are situated is not, in 

 the simple form, much changed in color. Many of the circumscribed 

 elevations of the cuticular surface, when of a light color, and denuded 

 of hair, show the petechial markings very distinctly, exactly like those 

 which exist on the nasal and buccal membrane. If the affection to which 

 this scarlatina has succeeded has not been accompanied with soreness of 

 the throat, such will most probably now manifest itself, either accom- 

 panying the rash or preceding it. In mild cases the rash and blood spots 

 will disappear in a few days and the horse soon regain his strength. 



Treatment. — In the milder forms of the disease it is sufficient to 

 keep the animal in a warm, well-ventilated, light, loose box, to feed it 

 on laxative food, and give small and repeated doses of the nitrate of potas- 

 sium, hyposulphite of sodium, or chlorate of potassium, in the food or 

 water, say one drachm. The body must be clothed according to the 

 weather, and the general comfort of the animal attended to. 



In the graver forms, the animal must be carefully watched, more es- 

 pecially with regard to its breathing, for in some cases the glottis and 

 other structures of the throat rapidly swell, the larynx becomes con- 

 stricted, and the animal may die from suffocation. Whenever this is 

 threatened, tracheotomy must be performed; and in all cases where the 

 breathing is difficult, and accompanied by a loud roaring noise, this op- 

 eration is to be resorted to, in order that the animal may obtain pure 

 air to oxidize its already impure blood. 



The throat is to be repeatedly bathed with hot water and enveloped 

 in warm poultices, and the animal made to inhale the steam of hot water 

 by use of the nose bag, Fig. 14. The moutk is to be frequently washed 

 out T\^itli salt and water, and if the coryza is excessive, some of it may be 

 applied to the nose. If the face and uares are swollen, they must be 

 frequently bathed with cold water, and afterwards dressed with some 

 astringent lotion, such as a solution of the tincture of chloride of iron. 

 If the bowels are very torpid, a gentle laxative may be administered, 

 such as one pint of linseed oil, but active purgation must on no account 

 be induced; the nitrate of potassium may be given freely in the food or 

 water, and abundance allowed of the latter, which must be cold and fresh. 

 If signs of purpura haemorrhagica supervene, the chlorate of potassium 



