INFLUENZA. 507 



the history it is frequently difficult to diagnose a case of influenza of 

 several days' standing, complicated by pneumonia, from a case of 

 severe pneumonia of five to six days' standing, but from a prognostic 

 point of view it is immaterial, as the treatment of both are identical. 

 The fact that other horses in the same stable or neighborhood have 

 influenza may aid in the diagnosis. 



Prognosis. — Influenza is a serious disease chiefly on account of its 

 numerous complications. Uncomplicated influenza is a compara- 

 tively simple malady, and is fatal in but 1 to 5 per cent of all cases. 

 In some outbreaks, however, complications of one kind or another 

 preponderate; in such instances the rate of mortality is much 

 increased. 



Alterations. — ^The chief alteration of influenza occurs in the di- 

 gestive tract, and consists in hyperemia, infiltration, and swelling of 

 the mucous membrane, and especially of the Peyers' patches near the 

 ileocecal valve. The tissues throughout the body are found stained, 

 and of a more or less yellowish hue. There is always found a con- 

 gested condition of all the organs, muscles, and interstitial tissues of 

 the body. The coverings of the brain and spinal cord partake in 

 the congested and discolored condition of the rest of the tissues. 



Other alterations are dependent entirely upon the complications. 

 If the lungs have been affected, we find effusions identical in their 

 ihtimate nature with those of simple pneumonia, but they differ 

 somewhat in their general appearance in not being so circumscribed 

 •in their area of invasion. The alterations of meningitis and lami- 

 nitis are identical with those of sporadic cases of founder and inflam- 

 mation of the brain. 



Treatment. — While the appetite remains the patient should have a 

 moderate quantity of sound hay, good oats, and bran ; or even a little 

 ffesh clover, if obtainable, can be given in small quantities. It is 

 not so important that a special diet shall be observed as that the horse 

 shall eat a moderate quantity of nourishing food, and he may be 

 tempted with any food of good quality that he relishes. The sick 

 horse should be placed in a well-ventilated box stall away from other 

 horses. Grass, roots, apples, and milk may be offered and, if relished, 

 allowed freely. To reduce the temperature, the safest simple plan is 

 to inject large quantities of cold water into the rectum. Antipyrene 

 may be used with alcohol or strychnia. Derivatives in the form of 

 essential oils and mustard poultices, baths of alcohol, turpentine, 

 and hot water, after which the animal must be immediately dried and 

 blanketed, serve to waken the animal up from the stupor and relieve 

 the congestion of the internal organs. This treatment is especially 

 indicated when complication by congestion of the lungs, intestines, or 

 of the brain is threatened. Quinine and salicylic acid in 1-dram 

 doses will lower the temperature, but too continuous use of quinine 



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