614 THE RECENT INFLUENZA AMONG HORSES. 
steaming of the head held over scalded hay in a bucket, which 
I have found of the greatest service. It very quickly relieves 
the eyes and head, and the animal generally likes to eat the 
hay out of the bucket, and by that means imbibes the warm and 
humid air; and if the disease in the first instance principally 
attacks mucous surfaces, we may expect that the steam of water 
may exercise (which it undoubtedly does) a great influence in 
relieving the inflamed surfaces, one which no other means could 
so readily effect. Discretion must be used in steaming the 
head. As a general rule, so long as the case continues urgent, 
I wish the animal to get as much steaming as he will bear 
without evident distress. The relief obtained by it in bad cases 
is wonderful. The greatest amount of steam is obtained by 
enveloping the head in a large hood or cloth, and confining it 
closely round the bucket; but some horses will not bear this; 
then the external air must be let in proportionately to the effects 
produced; and when faintness or hurried breathing comes on, it 
is often sufficient merely to hold the head over the bucket with- 
out any confinement to the nostrils. When the disease is com- 
plicated with symptoms of greatly quickened breathing, the 
inhaling of the steam usually produces distress, and must be 
abandoned. 
When the head seems much affected, evidenced by its pendant 
position and heat of forehead, I have found frequent cold bath- 
ing by a damp sponge over the temples very useful. Doubt- 
less, the horse is subject in disease to distressing head-ache, 
which would ensue in this case from the inflamed state of the 
membrane lining the frontal sinuses and ethmoidal cells. 
When chilliness and shiverings are present, I have the body 
warmly clothed, and the legs doubly bandaged and covered 
with hay bands. But far more generally the legs are tumefied 
and hot, in which case they are not bandaged ; and when they 
are much swelled I have them occasionally sponged with tepid 
water, and afterwards well dried. 
I think it advisable to apply a cloth over the body, so as to 
maintain an equable heat of surface, as the animal is more ex- 
posed to the air, from the stable being kept so much cooler. 
When VERY great Debility is present, or during a shi- 
vering or griping fit, which are not uncommon, I give occasional 
doses of spts aether, nitros, from §j to Jjss with liq. am. acet. 
Jij ; but, as a general rule, if a case is going on favourably, 
although perhaps slowly, I prefer leaving it to quietude and 
careful nursing rather than giving medicine. A good nurse is 
invaluable in this disease. It is unnecessary to treat in this 
paper upon the many ways in which his service can tend to the 
comfort and relief of the sick animal. 
