GENERAL DISEASES. 319 



— is, in my opinion, not a desirable agent, for not only is its 

 use attended with susceptibility to cold in the animal it is ad- 

 ministered to, and which in rheumatic affections should 

 especially be avoided, but by its depressing and salivatory 

 effects, hinders the removal of a complaint which requires a 

 very opposite treatment. The preparations of iodine are 

 more suitable to chronic and articular cases. 



At the onset it is advisable to clear the bowels : for this 

 purpose saline aperients are most suitable. 



With regard to local applications, warm fomentations, 

 which may be rendered alkaline or sedative, are in severe 

 cases (particularly of articular rheumatism) serviceable. 



The patient should throughout be kept warm and dry, and 

 a non-stimulating diet allowed. Milk and lime-water should 

 form the chief portion of the latter during the earlier period of 

 the attack. 



Chronic rheumatism is milder . in its character than the 

 acute form, more stationary, and less painful. An animal so 

 affected moves stifHy, but apparently with no great suffering. 

 Where it is articular the joints become hard, lumpy, and very 

 much deformed. 



In various changes of weather, particularly when easterly 

 winds or wet prevails, these enlargements become hot and 

 tender, and the animal's symptoms resemble more those of 

 acute rheumatism. 



Treatment. — ^The carbonate of ammonia and iodide of 

 potassium are, perhaps, the most serviceable agents in chronic 

 rheumatism : 3 to 5 grains of the former, i to 2 scruples of 

 the latter, twice to thrice daily. 



The affected parts should be stimulated with repeated 

 hand-rubbings, or embrocations containing turpentine and 

 ammonia. Warm baths are; also very beneficial, but car» 

 should be taken that the animal is thoroughly dried, and 

 placed in a warm and dry position afterwards. 



I have already alluded to valvular disease of the heart as 

 one of the complications of rheumatism. In such instances 



