266 PURPURA HEMORRHAGICA. 
issues streams of serum fearfully variegated by the admixture of blood. 
The openings to the nostrils and the lips soon enlarge; then the tongue 
likewise increases in size, a portion of it hanging out of the mouth. 
The appetite is never entirely lost, though the affliction prevents deglu- 
tition. In this lamentable state the wretched horse may continue for 
several days, or the disorder may reach its termination in a few hours. 
As the horse begins to recover, extensive sloughs occur, generally in 
those parts which have been much enlarged. 
Recovery appears to restore the consciousness in some degree, and 
the life is prolonged at the expense of much suffering. The appetite 
remains. The power to eat is, nevertheless, slowly attained. The desire 
for fluids, however, appears to exist throughout the attack, and should 
be taken advantage of to nourish the patient, by presenting thin gruel in 
the place of water. 
Purpura hemorrhagica is universal congestion. If the body of an 
animal which has succumbed to this disease be examined, the cellular 
tissue will be found distended with serum and with blood of a dark 
venous character. In this case, therefore, a blood-letting judiciously 
managed may be beneficial. No pulse can be felt, nor is any needed to 
guide the surgeon. So soon as the heaviness is ameliorated, the can is 
to be withdrawn, and the orifice is to be pinned up. The smaller the 
quantity taken the better, as the patient has no strength to spare. 
Should the congestion return, a second venesection may be imperative 
to relieve the vessels; such a resort, however, should be practiced only 
upon the conviction of its absolute necessity. 
Mr. Gowing, of Camden Town, in two cases reported in ‘Blain’s 
Veterinary Art,” gave turpentine with success. Turpentine is, however, 
a potent diuretic to the horse, and therefore, the writer thinks, not the 
best diffusible stimulant in these cases. Preference would, by him, be 
given to sulphuric ether or to chloroform. Half an ounce of the last, 
blended with a pint of linseed oil, should be given in the earliest stage. 
Half an hour having elapsed, the dose may be repeated. No amend- 
ment being witnessed, discard the chloroform and administer two ounces 
of sulphuric ether in one pint of cold water. After a little space, as in 
the previous instance, more diluted ether may be administered, though 
it will seldom be required. 
It is imperative to be speedy in adopting the measures intended to 
relieve purpura; for the disease rapidly attains its termination. For 
that reason, if the breathing is distressed, as is pretty certain to be the 
case, at once perform tracheotomy. Impure oxygenation of the blood 
is one of the most active causes of congestion; indeed, that state 
appears only possible during impeded respiration. 
