1 76 TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



CLASS V. 



FEVER 



is as common among horses as ourselves, and the after 

 effects of it equally debilitating. More horses, I am 

 inclined to believe, die from the effects of fever than 

 from attacks of any of the acute inflammations ; and 

 for this reason, the danger is so often overlooked for 

 the first three or four days, until inflammation of the 

 lungs or bowels is approaching ; then death is too near 

 for bleeding or physic to be of any avail. 



Symptoms. The three principal and distinguishing 

 symptoms of fever are, the great disinclination to 

 exercise, the almost total loss of appetite, and the coat 

 feeling dry and hot, and generally rough also, about 

 the ribs. There is a peculiar soostiness all over the 

 animal, but no expression of pain. A direct cold fit 

 sometimes first occurs, as with us, and this comes on 

 quite suddenly. The mouth is dry, the breath foul, 

 and the tongue pale. The pulse may be quickened, 

 or it may be weaker, or almost natural ; but, during 

 the fit, the legs, like the body, are more or less cold. 

 When the cold fit is over, a warm one frequently suc- 

 ceeds, and a slight perspiration. In this state he 

 remains, the fever often returning on the following 

 day, and near the same hour. He is also generally 

 flatulent, and the bowels are costive, but occasionally 

 they scarcely at all alter, and the difference of warmth 

 in the feet, some hot and others cold, often not at all 

 remarkable until the fever has existed some days : 

 but if at all thin before, the falling off in flesh and 

 great prostration of strength, will be clearly manifest 

 in forty-eight hours. 



