General Diseases. 341 



a very opposite treatment. The preparations of iodine are 

 more suitable to chronic and articular cases. 



At the onset it is advisable to clear the bowels : for this 

 purpose saline aperients are most suitable. 



With regard to local applications, warm fomentations, 

 which may be rendered alkaline or sedative, are in severe 

 cases (particularly of articular rheumatism) serviceable. 



The patient should throughout be kept warm and dry, 

 and a non-stimulating diet allowed. Milk and lime-water 

 should form the chief- portion of the latter during the 

 earlier period of the attack. 



Chronic rheumatism is milder in its character than the 

 acute form, more stationary, and less painful. An animal 

 so affected moves stiffly, but apparently with no great 

 suffering. Where it is articular the joints become hard, 

 lumpy, and very much deformed. 



In various changes of weather, particularly when easterly 

 winds or wet prevails, these enlargements become hot and 

 tender, and the animal's symptoms resemble more those of 

 acute rheumatism. 



Treatment. — The carbonate of ammonia and iodide of 

 potassium are, perhaps, the most serviceable agents in 

 chronic rheumatism : 3 to 5 grains of the former, i to 2 

 scruples of the latter, twice or thrice daily. 



The affected parts should be stimulated with repeated 

 hand-rubbings, or embrocations containing turpentine and 

 ammonia. Warm baths are also very beneficial, but care 

 should be taken that the animal is thoroughly dried, and 

 placed in a warm and dry position afterwards. 



I have already alluded to valvular disease of the heart as 

 one of the complications of rheumatism. In such instances 

 little can be done beyond avoiding excitement, applying 

 counter-irritation to the left side, and reducing by medi- 

 cinal agents the excessive action of the heart. — See " Heart 

 Diseases." 



