590 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



as above directed, until the animal's feces become of a blackish 

 color, then stop. 



By this time the horse should be well. If the case is weak and 

 debilitated, omit the physic and powders, and give good, nutritious 

 food. In the meantime! the "horse in either case should have gentle 

 exercise. , ,., 



It is bad practice to bandage. The application of bandages 

 with stimulating liniment prevents the free circulation of the blood, 

 thereby causing not only debility of the capillaries, or small blood- 

 vessels, but also irritating the skin. It in all cases gives temporary ' 

 relief, but dods not cure. The treatment before given is the qhly 

 one to be depended upon. 



Inflammation of the Veins (Phlebitis). 



Owing to the practice of bleeding horses for all ailments, which 

 is stillvery common among people through the country, phlebitis 

 is not uncommon. It consists of inflammation of the coats of the 

 vein, involving the surrounding cellular tissues also. 



Causes. — When it occurs, it almost invariably follows the opera- 

 tion of bleeding, arising from some mismanagement in performing 

 it, or securing the integuments after. Rusty fleams, carelessness in 

 pinning it up, — as in pulling the skin out, allowing blood to filtrate 

 the cellular tissues,- L ^bringihg the edges unevenly together, or, as 

 in cases we have known, pinning the vein itself to the skin. Cer- 

 tain states of constitutional predisposition of the veins to take on 

 inflammatory action are sajd to exist. 



Symptoms. — It is easily distinguished by the inverted edges of 

 the wound, which are red and swollen, and discharge thin serum, 

 which soon gives place to pus. The vein above the incision is hard, 

 hot, and tender, and considerably enlarged. The swelling extends 

 upward to the head ; the inflammation extends to the surrounding 

 tissues ; the side of the neck is swollen ; the neck is stiff, and the 

 head extended. The symptomatic fever runs high. 



Treatment. — The head should be tied up, and almost constant 

 fomentations of hot water applied for several days. The lips of the 

 Wound should be touched with the cautery or lunar caustic. A full 

 dose of purgative medicine should be given. When the acuteTever 

 has subsided, the wound should be blistered throughout its entire 

 extent, and repeated if required, the head being kept elevated, and 

 the horse's feed placed within his reach. 



These cases! often terminate in complete obliteration of the 



