GENEEAL TEEATMENT. 357 



venientiy done with mustard, and which, in the cases we are at present 

 considering, is almost always followed by a marked fall in the temperature. 

 Contrary to the ordinary custom, I would advise that the counter-irritant 

 should not be applied to the sides of the chest, for great distress may 

 ensue from such a procedure, on account of the skin of that part being in a 

 state of constant movement in breathing ; and I think it best to apply it 

 to parts which are at rest, such as the muscles of the limbs. At the same 

 time, we must not ignore the fact that many practitioners who have had 

 long practical experience, advocate blistering the sides in chest cases. On 

 the other hand, Williams and several other sound authorities are opposed 

 to any form of blistering in such cases. If we wish to steer a middle 

 course, we might limit the use of counter-irritation to those cases in which 

 the height of the internal temperature indicates to us that the life of our 

 patient is in danger. 



Heat (as for instance by warm fomentations) applied to the surface of the 

 body will act as a mild counter-irritant. As, besides reducing internal 

 temperature, it produces a soothing effect on the system, it should, as a 

 rule, be employed ; care of course being taken that the animal does not 

 become chilled during the interval between the taking off of one fomentation 

 and the application of another. 



Strong purgatives should on no account be given ; for in these diseases, 

 the mucous membrane of the intestines, being in close sympathy with that 

 of the organs of breathing, is in a more or less irritable condition. Conse- 

 quently, the effect of a severe purgative would be to set up fatal super- 

 purgation, or to seriously aggravate the disease. At the same time, we 

 should keep tha bowels in a slightly laxative condition, so as to favour the 

 excretion of waste products. As the blood is the vehicle by means of which 

 the waste materials of the body are removed, it becomes loaded with them, 

 during inflammatory disease, owing to the increased waste of tissue. When 

 the blood is in this state, the various organs of breathing are unable to 

 perform their respective functions with their normal facility, and, as the 

 presence of inflammation also impedes the function of a part, it follows that 

 we should in these diseases, try to maintain the purity of the blood. 

 Hence, we allow a free supply of fresh air for furnishing oxygen to the 

 lungs ; we apply warm fomentations to encourage excretions from the skin ; 

 we give, to a moderate extent, diuretics, such as nitre, and sweet spirits 

 of nitre, to act on the kidneys, the oflSce of which is to remove waste 

 material from the blood ; we allow a full supply of pure drinking water, 

 to dilute the blood mass ; and give laxative food to act lightly on the 

 bowels ; and, if necessary, a gentle aperient. In cold weather, clothing 

 will be necessary, in order to keep up the temperature of the 

 surface of the body ; but it should be porous, so as not to check evaporation 

 from the skin. 



_We should keep up the strength by suitable food, and slight stimulants 

 judiciously given. We may give occasionally chloral hydrate ; ehlorodyne, 

 or extract of Indian hemp, to soothe pain. 



Every means should be taken to avoid exciting the animal ; for excite- 

 ment will be followed by an increase in the rate of the beats of the heart, 

 and a consequent strain on the inflamed organs. As heat is a sedative to 

 the organs of breathing, the animal should be kept in a warm, though 

 thoroughly well-ventilated loose-box. 



PRACTICAL TREATMENT.— The great secret of success is to 

 take the case in time. The horse should be kept in a- large, 

 comfortable box, well ventilated, but entirely free from draughts. 

 It is most important, in these cases, that the animal should be at 

 once removed from a stable in which the air is foul, or in which 



