332 
ON HEPATITIS IN THE HORSE. 
With respect to the treatment, there can be no doubt that it 
requires considerable modification in this as in most other organic 
diseases, but the following mode is generally successful : — In those 
cases in which the horse is only off his feed, with little apparent 
constitutional derangement, calomel and opium are given conjointly; 
varying from two-thirds of the former and one of the latter, to 
equal parts of each, and which are formed into a ball with some 
aromatics, and given daily until the fseces are voided of their 
natural colour and consistence. In othe*r cases in which considera- 
ble abdominal pain is shewn, the first indication is to allay the 
irritation of the mucous coat of the bowels ; and, for this purpose, 
an anodyne laxative mixture is generally effectual. This mixture 
is best made by shaking together a watery solution of an alkali, 
linseed oil, and a small quantity of the tincture of opium. By 
adding a few drops of the croton oil this is converted into an efficient 
cathartic. In most cases, however, it is better to omit the latter, 
because calomel is necessarily given in an early stage of the disease, 
and, if purging should commence, we might probably attribute it to 
the effect of the medicine, while, in reality, it is too often that of a 
morbid biliary secretion. 
During the progress of the disease the patient loses flesh fast; and 
when the appetite has returned, and, apparently, the digestive func- 
tions are naturally performed, he is, to a greater or less degree, in a 
state of debility, with a slow and intermittent pulse, which frequently 
continues for some time. In this stage tonics and occasionally stimu- 
lants are necessary, and vegetable bitters combined with small doses 
of the nitrate of potash and emetic tartar; or, as a stimulant, the car- 
bonate of ammonia answers the purpose. Should diarrhoea super- 
vene, it is generally accompanied by some degree of thirst, which 
may be considered beneficial, as it induces the animal to drink freely 
of thick mucilaginous fluids, which support the system and sheath 
the mucous surface of the alimentary canal. 
Although absorbents and astringents may retard the expulsion 
of the faeces, in my humble opinion they are not of much service, 
as the animal too often sinks under the disease if calomel is not 
administered. It is given in small doses combined with an equal 
quantity of powdered opium, and I have sometimes fancied that 
the compound kino powder is a useful adjunct. If the disease 
should assume a typhoid character, every possible attention should 
be paid to cleanliness. I have thought that the vapour arising 
from the chloride of lime is of service here, and which is easily pro- 
cured by pouring boiling water upon the powder and placing it in 
the same box with the animal. The hydrochloric acid forms a ready 
combination of tonic and antiseptic influence, and is given in small 
doses once or twice a-day, diluted with the infusion of quassia and 
