Acute Congestion of the Lungs. Pulmonary Hyperemia. 203 



the movement of the chest must be at once removed and the 

 horse's head turned to the wind, an active stimulant given and the 

 legs well rubbed and loosely flannel bandaged. The nature of 

 the stimulant is of less consequence than its prompt administra- 

 tion. Two ounces of chloroform, of sulphuric ether, or of sweet 

 spirits of nitre ; half a pint of whisky, brandy or gin ; or a pint 

 of any of the more stimulating wines may be given, diluted in 

 ' warm water so as to remove their irritating qualities. A drink 

 of warm gruel will often go far to restore warmth to the surface 

 and to unload the overtaxed lungs. Frequent large injections of 

 warm water have a similar effect. Active hand rubbing of the 

 legs and the wrapping of them loosely in flannel bandages pre- 

 viously warmed at the fire is equally valuable. If a roomy, well 

 ventilated, loose box can be obtained the horse should be led to 

 it gently and a light but warm rug placed upon the body. Valu- 

 able derivation may be obtained from pediluvia, the feet and legs 

 up to the knees and hocks being put in buckets of water as hot 

 as the hands can bear, and at the same time actively rubbed. If 

 this is impossible the legs may be wrapped in bandages and wet 

 with hot water every few minutes. Or this soothing derivative 

 agent may be applied as well to the surface of the chest. A 

 blanket wrung out of hot (nearly boiling) water until it no 

 longer drops is wrapped round the body and covered up with two 

 or three dry rugs. A second smaller rug is wrung and placed on 

 the neck and covered by a sufiiciency of hoods to keep in the 

 heat. The legs are meanwhile hand rubbed and bandaged and 

 the other measures above recommended carried out to restore the 

 circulation in the surface and extremities. The time-honored 

 practice of bleeding freely from the jugular vein is one of the 

 most effective means of relieving the over-charged heart and 

 lungs, and should be resorted to at the earliest possible moment. 

 The blood will at first flow in a small, dark stream, but as the 

 circulation obtains relief the jet will increase in volume and the 

 general symptoms will improve. From, four to six quarts may 

 be taken with advantage from an ordinary horse. This is not a 

 pneumonia but an overloaded heart and lungs, threatening speedy 

 death and which the abstraction of blood promptly relieves. 



The longer the bleeding is delayed the less effective it is. It 

 should not supersede the other measures already recommended. 



