EPIDEMIC CATARRH. 179 



The inflammation which characterizes the early stage of this 

 lisease is at first confined to the membrane of the mouth and the 

 fauces Can fomentations be apphed ? Yes, and to the very 

 part, by means of a hot mash, not thrown into the manger over 

 which the head of the horse cannot be confined, but placed in 

 that too-much-undervalued and discarded article of stable-furni- 

 ture, the nose-bag. The vapor of the water will, at every inspi- 

 ration, pass over the inflamed surface. In the majority of cases 

 reUef will speedily be obtained, and that suppuration from the 

 part so necessary to the permanent removal of the inflanmiation 

 — a copious discharge of mucus or purulent matter from the nos- 

 trils — win be hastened. If the discharge does not appear so 

 speedily as could be wished, a stimulant should be applied to the 

 part. The vapor impregnated vnth turpentine arising from fresh 

 yellow deal saw-dust, used instead of bran, will have very con- 

 siderable effect in quickening and increasing the suppuration. It 

 may even be resorted to almost from the beginning, if there is 

 not evidently much irritability of membrane. 



A hood is a usefiil firticle of clothing in these cases. It in- 

 creases the perspiration from the surface covering the inflamed 

 part — a circumstance always of considerable moment. 



An equable warmth should be preserved, if possible, over the 

 whole body. The hand-brush should be gently used every day, 

 and harder and more effectual rubbing applied to the leg. The 

 patient should, if possible, be placed, in a loose box, in which he 

 may toddle about, and take a little exercise, and out of which 

 he should rarely, if at all, be taken. The exercise of which the 

 groom is so fond in these cases, and which must in the most per 

 emptory terms be forbidden, has destroyed thousands of horses. 

 The air should be fresh and uncontaminated, but never chilly ; 

 for the object is to increase and not to repress cutaneous perspira- 

 tion; to produce, if possible, a determ, nation of blood to the 

 sldn, and not to drive it to the part already too much overloaded. 

 In order to accomplish this, the clothing should be rather warmer 

 than usual. 



The case may proceed somewhat slowly, and not quite satis- 

 factorily to the practitioner or his employer. There is not much 

 fever — ^there is little or no local inflammation ; but there is great 

 emaciation and debility, and total loss of appetite. The quan- 

 tity of the sedative may then be lessened but not omitted alto- 

 gether ; for the fire may not be extinguished, although for a little 

 while concealed. There are no diseases so insidious and treach- 

 erous as these. Mild and vegetable tonics, such as gentian and 

 ginger, may be given. Two days after this the sedative n • " ' 

 altogether omitted, and the tonic gradually increased. 



The feeding should now be sedulously attended to. 



