OBSERVATIONS ON INFLUENZA IN HORSES. 
189 
garded the disease “ to be of an inflammatory nature,” and as such 
treated it by “ depletive measures “ endeavouring by every 
means to open the bowels,” which shewed “inertness and torpid- 
ity.” He found few of the patients “could bear the loss of more 
than three quarts without falling.” He thought this might arise 
from their being “ bled too late ;” he however, after trying vene- 
section “ in all ways,” still found it “ INVARIABLY highly inju- 
rious, and generally fatal He changed his plan of treatment ; 
he gave purgative medicine “at once” enough to act; and then 
administered stimulants, with small doses of calomel, and blistered 
the region of the liver; and had frequent recourse to clysters; 
and clothed and bandaged the patient. Treated in this manner, 
“ all the horses recovered.” 
The grand question for our consideration appears to be, whether 
we ought to let blood or not in influenza. Like Mr. Gloag, view- 
ing it as no more than ordinary inflammatory action besetting organs 
of vital importance in the animal economy, I once was as great an 
advocate for blood-letting as himself and some others: I must 
candidly confess, however, “ experience has (here) made me wise.” 
I now view the inflammation as asthenic in its character, the fever 
as low or adynamic; and therefore, when once the disease we are 
treating is known to be influenza, I would rather trust to an ape- 
rient at the beginning, followed up by febrifuge medicine con- 
taining some neutral salt, and that succeeded by slight stimulants 
and tonics, than I would (as I have too often done) let blood. 
Counter-irritation, I am sure, always proves of great service. 
The form I prefer is a stimulating liniment — the liniment, ammon. 
cum ol. terebinth, rubbed upon the throat and breast, and even upon 
the legs when necessary, I have found exceedingly useful. I 
commenced treating the late epidemic — when it assumed the form 
of pleuro-pneumonia — with blood-letting and calomel and opium ; 
but soon found that that was a plan of treatment (although a great 
favourite with me in ordinary pulmonary and pleuritic disease) 
perfectly unsuited for influenza. 
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VOL. XVIII. 
