218 EPIDEMIC FEVER NOW PREVALENT AMONG HORSES. 
I do not, or rather have not, in the generality of cases, found 
the lancet requisite. I simply order for the animal five drachms 
of purging mass ; abstinence ; warm clothing; walking exer¬ 
cise on the day the medicine is to operate; tepid water, or 
water-gruel and mashes. The object in the use of the aperient 
is, not to actively purge the animal, but to produce a laxative 
effect upon his bowels ; should which not happen at the ex¬ 
piration of four-and-twenty hours from the administration of the 
five drachms, another ball, containing a drachm only, is to be 
given ; and that, if required, followed up after the same interval, 
by a third. However, 1 rarely have found it necessary to ex¬ 
hibit a second dose. 
With the operation of the laxative declines the malady—at 
least in the generality of cases; leaving the animal somewhat 
debilitated, and with appetite delicate and fastidious. Now is 
the time, I should presume, to “ throw in tonicsand in ac¬ 
cordance with this wholesome maxim in physic, I do so; I pro¬ 
cure for my patient something nice and nutritive, wherewith to 
“ coax his appetite.” I give him not either gentian, or bark, or 
fenugreek; for which palpable omission I fear I shall be pro¬ 
claimed 
“ Like no brother.” 
I endeavour, however, to compensate for it by carrots and 
parsneps, and Swedish turnips, and linseed, &c. See., in addi¬ 
tion to as good hay and corn as can be got. 
Let it not be imagined from what I have said, or rather, from 
what I have omitted to say, that this disorder is invariably 
cured by simply a bleed and a purge. Symptoms alien to the 
genuine disease must be met by suitable remedies. In one case 
I had to contend with pneumonic symptoms; in others, with 
catarrhal: diarrhoea has likewise supervened. But in none 
have I witnessed any approach or resemblance whatever to 
cholera. 
W. Percivall. 
P. S. Since penning the above account, I have had my at¬ 
tention called to the following extract in The Morning Post. 
o o 
“ Horse Cholera. 
“ In the thriving village of Denny a disease has made its 
appearance among the horses, which has already proved dis¬ 
tressingly fatal. The first case occurred on Monday, and be¬ 
fore evening several valuable animals had become affected. We 
have not heard exactly how the malady operates; but alter se¬ 
vere suffering the poor horses generally die in about five hours. 
