58 
TWO CASES OF RHEUMATISM. 
By J. Tombs, Esq., of the Hon. East India Company’s Service. 
Case 1. May 13, 1842. — A yearling colt was taken sud- 
denly lame in a meadow adjoining the river Avon, and was led 
immediately to the stable. I found him halting in the off hind leg, 
which was very much swollen. A repellent lotion was applied. 
15^. — Lame in the near hind leg — in great pain — continually 
shifting his extremities, and very feverish. I administered laxa- 
tives, and opened the femoral veins. 
Y7th. — He was very stiff across the loins, and lame in both 
hind legs. I gave febrifuge medicine, fomented the extremities, 
and re-opened the femoral veins. 
19 th. — Alternately lame in both hind legs, and the muscles of 
the loins and rump affected. The pulse is quick, and the tongue 
furred. We appear to have a decided case of rheumatism, as 
the fetlock joints are sometimes swollen, and then the hocks and 
stifle joints. Give febrifuges, and embrocate the affected parts. 
22d. — Much improved. He feeds, and voids his urine with 
greater facility, for hitherto it has been discharged with extreme 
difficulty. When he is down, he can now get up without assist- 
ance : he is not so much tucked up at the flanks. Give tonics, 
and continue the embrocations to the affected parts. 
28th. — He is getting well rapidly, and is turned out in the 
daytime. 
June Qth. — He is quite well : turned out for good. 
Case II. July 20 th. — A two-year-old cart filly had been ill 
a fortnight before I saw her. This was caused by over-exertion 
at plough. She perspired profusely, and was suffered to cool in 
a current of air. When I visited her she could scarcely drag her 
hind legs after her, and was dreadfully tucked up in the flanks : 
the acetabulum and muscles of the loins and haunches were all in- 
volved in the lameness. Her pulse and breathing indicated fever. 
The appetite was impaired — she would not lie down. She is 
enduring great pain — lifting her hind legs up alternately for a 
minute together close to her abdomen. 
As in the preceding case, I bled copiously from the femoral 
veins, gave laxatives and fever medicines, and fomented the 
loins and haunches repeatedly. 
July 2 6th. — In statu quo . Blood-letting again was had re- 
course to. Sedatives given, and the posterior part of the body 
was kept wet with a blanket frequently dipped in hot water. 
