INFECTIOUS DISEASES. 535 



disease which has tended to render the patient anemic. Dilute sul- 

 phuric and hydrochloric acids are, perhaps, the best examples of a 

 combination of stimulant, astringent, and tonic which can be em- 

 ployed. The simple astringents of mineral origin, sulphates of iron, 

 copper, etc., are useful as digestive tonics; I doubt whether they have 

 any constitutional effect. The vegetable astringents, tannic acid, 

 etc., have not proved efficacious in my hands. lodid of potash in 

 small doses serves the triple purpose of digestive tonic, denutritive 

 for inflammantion, and diuretic. Among the newer forms of treat- 

 ment are diluted Lugol's solution injected into the trachea, anti- 

 streptococcus serum and colloidal silver solution injected into the 

 circulation. No one but a qualified veterinarian would be comoetent 

 to apply these remedies. 



ExterncMy. — Sponging the swollen parts, especially the head, 

 when the swelling occurs there, is most useful. The bath should be 

 at an extreme of temperature — either ice cold to constrict the tissues 

 or hot water to act as an emolient and to favor circulation. Vinegar 

 may be added as an astringent. When we have excessively denuded 

 surfaces, suppuration, or open wounds, disinfectants should be added 

 to the wash. 



In cases of excessive swelling, especially of the head, mechanical 

 relief may be required. Even in country practice, punctures of the 

 part should be made with the hot iron, as no other disease so predis- 

 poses to septic contamination. When mechanical asphyxia is threat- 

 ened tracheotomy may be demanded. With the first evidence of 

 dyspnea, not due to closing of the nostrils or glottis, or with the first 

 pawing which gives rise to a suspicion of colic, a mustard plaster 

 should be applied over the whole belly and chest. The sinapism will 

 draw the current of the circulation to the exterior, the metastasis to 

 the lungs or intestines is prevented, and the enfeebled nervous system 

 is stimulated to renewed vigor by the peripheral irritation. The 

 organs are encouraged by it to renewed functional activity ; the local 

 inflammation produced by it favors absorption of the exudation. The 

 objection to the use of blisters is their more severe action and the 

 danger of mortification. Septicemia, when occurring as a complica- 

 tion, requires the ordinary treatment for the putrid diseases, with 

 little hope of a good result. 



After recovery the animal regains its ordinary health, and there is 

 no predisposition to a return of the disease. 



HORSEPOX, OR EQUINE VARIOLA. 



Synonyms. — Variola equina ; pustular grease ; phlyctenoid herpes. 



Definition. — Horsepox is a specific, infectious fever of the horse, 

 attended by an eruption of pustules, or pocks, over any part of the 

 skin or on the mucous membranes lining the various cavities in the 



