454 GENERAL DISEASES. 



Owing to the debilitated state of the animal and danger of blood- 

 clots being formed, aconite should not be given j as it is a sedative 

 to the action of the heart. Opium is also contra-indicated ; for its 

 administration affects the brain, and checks excretion. 



If symptoms of abdominal pain be present, a ball or a soft mass, 

 made up with treacle, of — 



Camphor 2 drachms 



Extract of belladonna ... ... ... 1 drachm 



may be given twice, or, if need be, three times a day; or one- 

 twentieth of a grain of sulphate of atropine, subcutaneously (p. 

 644), may be used instead. Relief may be obtained by warm 

 fomentations to the sides. If constipation exists along with the 

 colicky pains, the bowels should be regulated by administering an 

 enema, and giving, say, a quarter of a pint of linseed oil twice a 

 day. If diarrhoea be present, it should not be checked, unless it 

 threatens to reduce the strength too much, and then, only by 

 giving a thin solution of starch or flour gruel, which may have 

 some powdered chalk mixed through it. 



If the rheumatism prove obstinate, it should be treated a.s 

 described under that heading. 



Contagious Pleuro-Pneumonia {Dry Influenza). 



Although the term " influenza " should be restricted to catarrhal 

 affections which spread over large areas of country, it is also 

 applied to a contagious form of chest disease, in which the symp- 

 toms of pleurisy are, generally, well marked, and are preceded by 

 a fevered state of the system, as indicated by a rise in the internal 

 temperature. Ordinary influenza, is essentially an epizootic, in 

 that it spreads on all sides. This affection is characterised by its 

 enzootic nature, that is to say, by its tendency to rage in certain 

 localities. It shows a marked preference for certain stables, 

 which are generally badly drained and insufficiently ventilated. 

 Although it is contagious, and appears to spread only by con- 

 tagion ; a fair proportion of horses — probably more than 50 per 

 cent, on an average — resist its invasion. The fact of so many 

 horses escaping may be due to their having acquired immunity 

 from a previous attack, which may have been so mild that it did 

 not attract particular notice. The better a horse's health and con- 

 dition is, the greater chance will he have to escape. " This disease 

 may be contracted by a short stay in an infected place. Con- 

 valescent subjects are particularly dangerous ; for they remain for 

 several weeks capable of spreading the contagion " (Friedherger 

 and Frohner). 



