Acute Fibrinous Pnemnonia. Pneumonitis in the Horse . 271 



■or liquor of the acetate of ammonia are to be preferred, and this is 

 especially the case during convalescence. They at once sustain 

 the flagging heart and aid in the excretion of morbid products. 

 Digitalis is often of great value in the same sense, and as a heart 

 stimulant nux vomica. 



Some follow Todd and Bennett in seeking stimulation from 

 alcohol, ammonia and its salts, ether, etc. "When the circulation 

 is weak or flagging these are often of value and they may even 

 act directly on the pathogenic microbe. The inhalation of 

 •oxygen, or the solution of peroxide of hydrogen given by the 

 mouth has often an excellent effect. 



Sedatives. Aconite has become too much of a domestic remedy, 

 nevertheless it may be used with advantage in high fever with 

 •excited heart action, to moderate the circulation and relieve the 

 breathing. Veratrum, hydrobromic acid, bromide of sodium or 

 ammonium, or chloral hydrate may be used as alternates or sub- 

 .stitutes. 



Compresses. Fomentations. Poultices. No measure is safer nor 

 more promising, especially in the early stages, than the poultice 

 jacket or compress. A blanket wrung out of hot water is wrapped 

 around the chest, covered with a thick dry one, and held firmly 

 attached by elastic circingles. Or soaked cotton wool is applied 

 and covered with a dry blanket or a rubber sheet. The more 

 acute the inflammation the more valuable is this measure. 



Derivatives. As a derivative the mustard pulp rubbed in and 

 x;overed with thick paper or rubber is especially valuable. In one 

 hour it may secure a free exudation and material relief to the 

 breathing. It may be replaced by ammonia and oil, with or with- 

 out a covering, by hot water or by cantharides. This must, how- 

 ever, be used with judgment. In the early stage with a high 

 type of inflammation and fever, the surface irritation may aggra- 

 vate this through sympathy ; in such cases therefore the severity 

 •of the inflammation should first be moderated before using an 

 active counterirritant. In debilitated conditions too, with an 

 altered or depraved state of the blood, and during the prevalence 

 •of a low type of the disease, sloughing may ensue from incautious 

 blistering. 



The repetition of the blister is often useful, the healing process 

 going on simultaneously in the blistered surface and the diseased 

 lung, by virtue of nervous sympathy. 



