180 TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 



hundred, and often imperceptible. The inside of the 

 corner of the nostrils becomes of a dark crimson co- 

 lour, the nostril itself being expanded, and the breath- 

 ing greatly distressed. He appears stiff all over, 

 and gently but anxiously turns his head round to his 

 sides. Sometimes there is a cough ; sometimes none. 



Treatment. Bleed six to eight quarts, 4 ' 5 " three to 

 four (according as the horse is large or small, fat or 

 thin) from each vein, at the same time\ and it is par- 

 ticularly recommended in this inflammation to bleed 

 from a large orifice with a broad-shouldered lancet, 

 that the blood may flow freely and quickly. The 

 bleeding over, back-rake ; then clyster with one ounce 

 of soap and four ounces of Epsom salts in two gal- 

 lons of water, and give three drachms of aloes in half 

 a pint of thin congee. | Soak the feet and legs in hot 



* See "BLEEDING," p. 62. Bleeding a particular quantity may appear to 

 veterinarians equally as objectionable as giving a particular quantity of any 

 medicine. Bleed, they say, till the pulse rises, &G.&C. I once saw a man bleed, 

 and take a teacupful away, when he said the pulse rose. Bleed till the pulse 

 rises, is about as \iseful a piece of information to many people as what I once 

 received from a surgeon I had written to regarding a horse that was dying 

 from an inflamed vein ; first, said he, ' ' dissect it out." Bleeding a given quan- 

 tity may, in some cases, be bad ; but a quart too much or too little is better 

 than a gallon too much or too little, and a certain quantity must be laid down. 

 I have done the same with the dangerous medicine digitalis, &c. ; for an ac- 

 quaintance of mine once gave hellebore to a horse (strictly according to some 

 professional book, he said) till the head drooped. It was done, however, too 

 effectually ; the head drooped for ever. 



t The bleeding ought to be continued not only until the pulse rises, but till 

 it falters. ED. 



This is dangerous treatment. If purging ensues from the aloes it is 

 certain death. I would rather give very small doses of aloes, combined with 

 digitalis, tartar emetic and nitre. The aloes to be discontinued immedi- 

 ately the faces become slightly softened. Not a particle of aloes, however 

 ought to be given until the inflammation has been somewhat subdued by the 

 bleeding. The sides and briskets ought to be sharply blistered, and copious 

 clysters of warm water and soap administered twice a day. ED. 



