36 



DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



and horses suffer from flatulence, pot-belly, ill condition and rough 

 staring coat. 



Treatment. — Treatment of horses in these latter cases should be 

 largely dietetic. Give water in moderation between meals and 

 never before hard or fast work, while the food should be con- 

 centrated and laxative. Mashes of bran or oats, on which are placed 

 3 to 4 ounces of carron oil, together with a small amount of 

 moistened hay, form a suitable ration; By this means we give an 

 easily digestible diet, avoid flatulence and pressure on the diaphragm, 

 and, by limiting water, lessen the vascular contents and load on the 

 heart. 



Arsenic (acidum arsenosum,. gr. v; or liquor acidi arsenosi, 

 §i; thrice daily on the food for a long period) is of most value and 

 improves the condition of the nervous system and blood. Iron is 

 also indicated with anemia (oi-ii of the reduced iron, or ferrous 

 sulphate), and bitters (nux vomica, gentian), if the appetite is 

 poor. 



In the horse, broken wind from any cause is commonly evi- 

 denced by persistent, rapid breathing after speedy or violent work, 

 together with difficulty in breathing, as shown by a prolonged and 

 double expiratory movement. Sometimes there may be rales in 

 the chest, significant of true asthma or bronchitis, and sometimes 

 increased resonance or percussion from emphysema, and sometimes 

 no abnormal signs whatever. Treatment must be based on the 

 etiology and when the broken wind is not a symptom of some of the 

 lesions noted above, the treatment recommended for the form due 

 to indigestion- should be tried. The same treatment applies in em- 

 physema. If the heart is at fault, as shown by cardiac murmurs, 

 etc., treatment should be given directed to that source (see p, 106), 

 as a- mixture of tincture of digitalis and strophanthus, of each 2 

 drams, with spirit of nitroglycerin, 1T|,xx, given three times daily. 



If chronic bronchitis predominates, remedies advised for that 



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