INFLUENZA IN HORSES. 
509 
Where the bowels are affected with colic or impactment, I adopt 
the practice which you have taught me, and most satisfactory 
have I found its results. The four daily drinks I give, but with 
them I administer frequent small doses of calomel; and a man sits 
up to give these regularly throughout the night until the intestines 
are emptied. A scruple of calomel has been exhibited every hour 
for fifty-six hours before that effect was obtained; and though the 
animal thus treated was not more than fourteen hands high, the 
gums did not inflame. Embrocations and enemas were not ne¬ 
glected, nor any of the ordinary practices unemployed. 
As to food, mashes I do not approve of in influenza. Grass or 
roots, moistened hay, and the full allowance of scalded oats with 
good gruel or whitened water, ad libitum , is the diet I recommend. 
If the horse will not feed, I do not order it to be drenched, but in¬ 
variably leave the appetite to nature, and hitherto have not found 
the animals fall away to any obvious extent. 
When the disease subsides, a fact which is ascertained by the 
small, quick, and feeble character of the pulse at the jaw, a drink 
and powder is given night and morning, while the best stout 
that can be procured is substituted for all other medicines. Three 
and four quarts have been exhibited in the course of the day, 
when the horse enjoyed the beverage ; but where there was much 
resistance I have thought the excitement more prejudicial than was 
counteracted by the liquor, and tonic balls have been used instead 
of it. 
Such is an outline of the practice I have for some time pursued, 
and have endeavoured to the extent of my opportunities to test. 
No mention is made of several particulars, such as attention to the 
extremities, cool loose box, clothing, &c., because these things are 
generally understood, and with regard to them I do not deviate 
from the general custom. It will be seen I never employ purga¬ 
tives, diuretics, or blood-letting. Soft food of the most nutritive 
kind is not withheld, and the medicines principally relied upon are 
calomel, opium, and ether. 
The testimony of no one man, however, can be viewed as con¬ 
clusive when the treatment of disease is concerned. No matter 
how wide may be the range of individual observation, until it be 
confirmed by the testimony of others, no conclusion based upon it 
ought to be accepted. The course I have related has hitherto ap¬ 
peared to be successful; but it is possible my discernment may be 
at fault, or to Fortune I may be indebted for those results which I 
attribute to other causes. Therefore, I seek the information of my 
professional brethren, and invite them to test that plan of treatment 
which hitherto has left me nothing to regret. 
Before I conclude, however, let me point out one instance in 
