INFLUENZA— BRONCHITIS. 329 



somewhat difficult to ascertain its existence, as in any case there 

 is no appetite for food. The treatment should be conducted on the 

 principle of husbanding the strength, and, unless urgent symptoms 

 of inflammation show themselves, the less that is done the better. 

 If the trachea or larynx is involved only slightly, counter irrita- 

 tion, by means of a liquid blister, must be tried, without resorting 

 to strong internal medicines ; but if serious mischief ensues, the 

 case must, to a certain extent, be treated as it would be when 

 coming on without the complication of influenza, always taking 

 care to avoid bleeding, and merely acting on the bowels by gentle 

 aperients, and on the skin and kidneys by the mildest diaphoretic and 

 diuretic. The following is the ordinary plan of treatment adopted : 



Take of Spirit of Nitric Ether 1 ounce. 



Laudanum 4 drachms. 



Nitrate of Potass 3 drachms. 



Water 1 pint. 



Mix, and give as a drench night and morning. 



By constantly offering to the horse thin gruel (taking care that 

 it does not become sour), and no plain water, sufficient nourish- 

 ment may be given, as his thirst will induce him to drink. 



During the stage of convalescence the greatest care must be 

 taken. At first, as soon as the cough has somewhat subsided, a 

 mild stomachic ball will be desirable, such as 



Take of Extract of Gentian 6 drachms. 



Powdered Ginger 2 drachms. Mix. 



Afterwards, if the case goes on favorably, and the appetite returns, 

 the restoration may be left to nature, giving the horse by degrees 

 his usual allowance of corn, and adding to his morning and evening- 

 feed one drachm of sulphate of iron in fine powder. It must not be 

 attempted to give this until the appetite is pretty keen, or the horse 

 will be disgusted, and will probably refuse his corn altogether. 



Should typhoid symptoms be clearly established, the case must 

 lie treated according to the directions hereafter laid down for 

 typhus fever. 



BRONCHITIS. 



Bronchitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining 

 the bronchi, and almost invariably extending to these parts through 

 the trachea, from the larynx and nasal passages, which are pri- 

 marily affected as in ordinary cold. The membrane in the early 

 stage becomes filled with blood, and as a consequence the diameter 

 of the tubes is diminished, attended by some difficulty and in- 

 creased rapidity of breathing. After a time a frothy mucus is 

 poured out from it, and this still further interferes with respira- 

 tion, and necessitates a constant cough to get rid of it. These 

 symptoms are always present, but they will vary greatly in inteu- 

 28* 



