150 THB HORSB. 



the skin; diuretics to favor the elimination of matter by the kidneys; 

 cholagogues and laxatives to increase the action of the liver and intes- 

 tines, and to obtain from these important organs all the waste material 

 which is aiding to choke up and congest their rich plexuses of blood ves- 

 sels. As the heart becomes stimulated to increased action at the outset 

 of a fever, and increases it by pumping an augmented quantity of blood 

 through the whole body, we employ cardiac depressants to diminish the 

 force of this organ. Among these, antimony, aconite, veratrum viride, 

 and iodide of potash are the most important. The increased blood pres- 

 sure throughout the body may also be diminished by lessening the 

 quantity of blood. This is obtained in many cases with advantage by 

 direct abstraction of blood, as in bleeding from the jugular or other 

 veins, or by derivatives, such as mustard, turpentine, or blisters applied 

 to the skin; or setons, which draw to the surface the fluid of the blood, 

 thereby lessening its volume, without having the disadvantage found 

 in bleeding, of impoverishing the elements of the blood. 



When the irritation which is the cause of fever is a specific one, either 

 in the form of bacteria (living organism), as in glanders, tuberculosis, 

 influenza, septicaemia, etc., or in the form of a foreign chemical element, 

 as in rheumatism, gout, hsemaglobinuria, and other so-called diseases of 

 nutrition, we employ remedies which have been found to have a direct 

 specific action on them. Among the specific remedies for various dis- 

 eases are counted quinine, carbolic acid, salicyclic acid, antipyrine, mer- 

 cury, iodine, the empyreumatic oils, tars, resins, aromatics, sulphur, and 

 a host of other drugs, some of which are AD hoc and others of which are 

 theoretical in action. Certain remedies, like simple aromatic teas, vege- 

 table acids, as vinegar, lemon juice, etc., alkalines in the form of salts, 

 sweet spirits of niter, etc., which are household remedies, are always 

 useful, because they act on the excreting organs and ameliorate the 

 effects of fever. 



Pleuro-Pneumonia. See page 88. 



Rabies or Hydrophobia. Seepage m. 



