358 DISEASES OF BREATHING. 



there is not a free supply of pure air. If the bowels be costive, 

 give an enema of warm water; and if there is much depression, 

 which would be caused by the accumulation of impurities in the 

 blood, administer the following ball, which has long found favour 

 among veterinary surgeons: — 



Aloes ... ... ... ... ... 2 drachms. 



Tartar emetic ... ... ... ... 1 diachm. 



Nitre 1 „ 



Linseed meal, enough to make up the ball. 



Foment the sides with warm, water for a couple of hours, dry the 

 skin, and, in order to prevent the part becoming chilled, rub in 

 the following liniment : — 



Soap liniment ... ... ... ... |^ pint. 



Strong liquid ammonia ... ... ... 1 drachm. 



The fomentation may be arranged by soaking a blanket in hot 

 water, wringing it moderately dry, placing it over the back and 

 sides, and then covering it over with a waterproof sheet, or dry 

 blanket. Before the first blanket is removed, a second one should 

 be got ready; and so on. The water should not be so hot as to 

 inflame the skin ; for a soothing, not an irritating, effect ought to 

 be the desired object. 



After the fomentations are finished, clothe warmly, so that the 

 skin may act freely. Hand-rub the legs well, rub in some of the 

 soap liniment, and put on flannel or straw bandages to reach above 

 the knees and hocks. 



Give the animal plenty of cold water to drink, and keep him 

 quiet. Let the food consist of gruel, bran and linseed mashes, 

 scalded carrots, and green grass or lucerne. Give an oimce of 

 nitre the first day in a mash or in the water, and half an ounce on 

 the following day; stopping it when the luine becomes abundant. 

 Drenching had best be avoided, as it distresses the horse. 



If the breathing becomes laboured and the temperature very 

 high (say, 105° F. or over), blister the hind quarters, or shoulders 

 and fore-arms, with mustard, or, if the hair is long, with equal 

 parts of camphor liniment and soap liniment ; or with oil of 

 turpentine diluted with twice the amoimt of sweet oil. Next day 

 apply camphorated oil or sweet oil to the blistered parts to soothe 

 and soften them. 



If the pulse indicates high arterial tension (p. 354), bleed (p. 

 649) to, say, the extent of three quarts. Here, be careful to note 

 any change which may occur in the character of the pulse. 



