NON-CONTAGIOUS BLOOD DISEASES. 743 



pulse becomes weaker, the breathing is difficult, the bowels are 

 loose, the urine is bloody, and abdominal pains ensue. Fatal cases 

 usually terminate in from two to six days. ♦ v 



Treatment.— If the bowels are constipated, they should be 

 moved quietly, for which the following may be used : — 



Linseed oil ' ; l pt. 



Sulphuric ether , .* '..'.'.'.'. 1 6z. 



Infusion of quassia 4 " 



One half this dose will be sufficient for a yearling. Turpentine 

 is a valuable styptic to the relaxed blood vessels, but it should be 

 used with caution, as it is liable to irritate the urinary organs. It 

 may be given in this combination : — 



Spirits of turpentine : 1 oz. 



Linseed oil "" J pt. . 



two or three times for two or three days, carefully watching its 



effect, and discontinuing it if irritation of the kidneys seems to be 



indicated. Either of the following may be given two or three times 



a day : — 



t 



Sulphuric acid '. 2 dr. 



Infusion of quassia or gentian } pt. > 



Water 1 qt. 



Or— 



Hydrochloric acid (2 drams) may be used instead of the sul- 

 phuric acid. One or two drams of sulphate of-iron (copperas), or 

 half an ounce of muriate of iron, may be added to the dose aftei 

 two or three days. 



Good food, cleanliness, and proper ventilation should be secured. 



RHEUMATISM. 



This is a constitutional blood disease, witk which the system 

 sympathizes, but the manifestations are confined to the serous and 

 serofibrous membranes. It affects the coverings of the joints, bones, 

 heart, lungs, intestines, brain, and spinal cord ; also the lining mem- 

 branes of the heart and chest, and the substance of the tendons, 

 ligaments, and muscles. It is found in the acute and chronic forms. 

 The exciting cause is the. accumulation in the blood of an acid poi- 

 son, which concentrates its attack on the membranes mentioned, 

 not unfrequently changing from One point to another, and even to 

 distant parts of the body. Poverty of the system, exposure to cold, 

 dampness, and draughts of cold air, when in a perspiring condition, 

 are producing causes. Acute Rheumatism, or rheumatic fever, 

 manifests itself in stiffness of the extremities, and a peculiar rigidity 



