216 
THOUGHTS ON INFLUENZA. 
only those animals possessing adamantine constitutions are 
able to withstand it. 
During the whole of the past year I have had no lack 
of influenza of the above character. It has proved an inte- 
resting engagement, and by it I find that the treatment which 
only saves the lives of animals so affected, is that for general 
weakness and emaciation, and the very reverse of bran 
mashes, physicking, the use of sedatives, and the lancet. 
The pulse rising so high in number of beats, becomes cor- 
respondingly weaker in tone; and nothing but stimulants will 
cause it to re-assume the proper regularity and strength. 
When first this disease was noticed, I frequently found 
the negative results of the treatment then adopted, 1 was 
more and more convinced each time that I w as forming a w rong 
conclusion, or good would have resulted ; this led to a more 
serious consideration of it. It is, therefore, my practice now T , 
when called to a case of supposed colic, to look for something 
more, and in forty-nine cases out of fifty, I am able to detect its 
origin in congestion of the lungs and impairment of the nerves 
w hich supply them and the intestines. The pulse also furnishes 
a most certain result of the goings on within, and I treat 
accordingly, not in homoeopathic doses, they will not do here, 
but large ones; half measures being anything but tolerated. 
The blood-vessels are in a state of atony and relaxation, and 
their coats are attenuated by the pressure from w ithin : supply 
therefore the means of enabling them to contract upon their 
contents, and the result will be manifest. Of Spt. Ammon. 
Aromat. et Spt. Ether. Nit., as much as two ounces of each, 
w ill often be needed, combined with half a drachm or a drachm 
of Ext. Belladonnae ; this should be repeated in a few hours, so 
as to overcome the congestion and its consequences, viz., 
spasms and the cold extremities. If constipation exist, the 
Ol. Lini, combined with the above, and sometimes a few 
drops of croton oil, which, by being added to the Ol. Lini is 
modified in its action, may be given, along with enemas. 
Aloes and opium, in this state of affairs, are more productive 
of coma and stertorous breathing than otherwise. 
If tympanitis exist, which it does sometimes to an alarming 
degree, solution of the hypo-sulphite of soda, in the form both 
of draught and enema, will dispel it speedily by the liberation 
of sulphurous acid in the stomach when in contact with the 
secretions. Allow me to state here, en passant, that those who 
have not already used this salt, would do well to do so in 
their cattle practice, since in hoven the most decided results 
follow its employment. I believe the introduction of this 
salt for this purpose originated with Dr. George Wilson, late 
