152 PRACTICE OF EQUINE MEDICINE. 



Many cases get well without treatment, and probably other 

 eases die from too much treatment. 



There is no specific treatment, so we should be careful not to 

 use too much medicine; treat the symptoms as they arise, and 

 watch the fever and the heart. 



In the early stages, if the animal be young and plethoric, use 

 sedatives, as aconite, or veratrum, or tartar emetic; these drugs 

 lessen the number of pulsations; diminish the arterial tension and 

 vascular excitement, and reduce the fevers caused by inflammation. 



In city practice we use very little sedative treatment; there 

 is no set rule to go by, except the individual case, the condition 

 of the heart and the temperature being the best guides. Sedatives 

 are only indicated in the first stages. 



Stimulants are usually given during the second stage, as am- 

 monium carbonate and alcohol, etc. 



Care should be used about giving too much stimulation; stim- 

 ulants do not give strength (in the way supposed by many), but 

 they lessen vital force; they tide the patient over certain dangerous 

 periods, and for this reason do good. 



If much debility is present, with a loss of appetite, nux vom- 

 ica, belladonna, quinine, and pepsin are beneficial. 



For the temperature: If the temperature be 104° or 105° F., 

 we should not be alarmed, as the nature of the disease requires 

 a certain amount of fever; but if the temperature be 106° F. or 

 over, we should try to reduce it a degree or two. 



An important part of the treatment is the watching of the heart. 



The danger is a dilatation of the right side of the heart, with 

 the formation of heart-clots and death in this way. Prevent heart- 

 clots by giving more power to that organ and putting the blood 

 in such a condition as to lessen its coagulating power. 



Alcohol is probably the best stimulant we have, and is indi- 

 cated where there is a small, weak, and feeble pulse. 



Give a good dose and repeat every three, four, or five hours 

 (day and night), according to the indications. A convenient way 

 to administer the alcohol is in the drinking-water; two ounces in 

 a pail or part of a pail of water. When there is no attendant at night, 

 place a full pail in the horse's manger, so that stimulation can be 

 kept up. 



The increase of the fever and symptoms toward evening causes 

 restlessness which is followed by exhaustion after midnight, and 

 thus stimulation is important at this time to prevent cardiac failure. 



