112 SPECIAL EQUINE THERAPY 



have bromides, gelsemium or chloral. Dr. E. L. Quitman 

 advises lobelin for the nervous symptoms. Cases showing 

 symptoms of digestive disturbance should have salicylic 

 acid, carminatives, and evacuants. 



Cases with immense swelling of certain muscle groups 

 should have massage. It is well to start the treatment 

 of all severe eases with a purgative. Water should 

 be given in abundance, drenching the patient with 

 several quarts every few hours if he refuses to drink it 

 freely. 



The oxalic acid should be administered in four-grain 

 doses every hour until seven or eight doses have been 

 given. It must be given highly diluted with water to 

 prevent any local action on the mucous membranes. It 

 is not caustic, but has a softening or degenerative effect 

 in concentrated solutions. After seven or eight hourly 

 exhibitions, it should be given every two or three hours. 

 In exceptionally grave eases the first dose or two may 

 be doubled. The catheter may be used for the purpose 

 of emptying the bladder in the early stages. Later it is 

 neither necessary nor beneficial. 



Cases which are down should not be molested or urged 

 to get up before the lapse of at least eighteen hours, unless 

 they make voluntary attempts to arise. In raising a 

 horse, down with azoturia, two good men lifting at the tail 

 can accomplish all the aid needed. If the animal is not 

 able to get up with this assistance its condition has not 

 yet improved sufSciently to make the standing position 

 desirable. A few strokes with a whip may be required 

 in some cases to induce the animal to make a strong 

 attempt to arise. 



The use of slings is not recommended. The practi- 

 tioner who uses slings for the purpose of raising up 

 horses, down with azoturia, should lose his right to prac- 

 tice; he understands neither the disease nor the horse. 



