THE HORSE, ITS DISEASES. 423 



treme lameness in one or more of the limbs. There is tenderness and 

 then swelling of the joint, tendon or muscles, at first soft, then hard. 

 There may be fluctuations from excess of synovia (joint fluid). With the 

 inflammation there is fever. The pulse is full and hard : the mouth is 

 di'v and clammy ; there is hurried breathing, scanty urine and costiveness. 

 In the chronic form the symptoms are the same as in the acute, but 

 not so pronounced, and in this form it is unattended with fever. It may 

 appear only upon undue exposure, or in damp, lowers^ weather, and dis- 

 appear again upon the recurrence of fine weather. Chronic rheumatism 

 is also less inclined to shift from place to place. 



What to do. — For rheumatism in its early acute stage relieve the bowels 

 by laxative medicines, say four drachms of aloes. Put the animal in 

 slings, as for tetanus, and clothe him from the hoofs to the ears in flan- 

 nel. K practicable the first thing is to fill the box in which the horse is 

 kept with steam, keeping it up for an hour. If the pain is extreme 

 lessen it with ounce doses of laudanum. 



Give the following three or four times a day as a drench in a pint 

 of gruel : 



No. 157. X Ounce bicarbonate of soda, 



1 Ounce Salicylic acid. 



If this cannot be obtained, give the following, at a dose, night and 

 foorning : 



No. 158. ^ Ounce powdered saltpeter, 



1 Drachm powdered colcMcum, 

 1 Ounce oil of turpentine. 

 Mix in half a pint of linseed oU. 



For rheumatism in its chronic form the following will be found to be 

 *-aluable, used intemally : 



No. 159. 1 Ounce powdered carbonate of potash. 



1 Ounce powdered saltpeter, 



2 Drachms iodide of potash. 



Give in one and a half pints of water. 



As a liniment for the joints and other affected parts, to be afterwards 

 •Trapped in flannel, the following is excellent : 



\o. 160. 1 Pound compound soap liniment, 



2 Ounces liquor ammonia, 

 2 Ounces tincture cantharides, 

 2 Ounces laudanum. 



Rub in with as much friction as the horse can bear, and apply until 



