COUP DE SOLEIL. 
299 
Treatment .—The success of which will depend mainly on 
the timely application of each remedy. The treatment 
which I carry out consists of bloodletting, cathartics, clysters, 
cold water to the head, spine and body, antimony, calomel, 
opium, stimulants, perfect rest, quiet, darkness, and removal 
of all agents which tend in any way to impede the cir¬ 
culation and respiration. If the surgeon sees the case 
early, before nervous and vascular collapse occurs, a small 
quantity of blood taken from the jugular will be a step in the 
right direction, by relieving the thoracic and cerebral con¬ 
gestion ; it will generally be followed by an alleviation of the 
symptoms. This must be followed by a diffusible stimulant, 
with a little Tinct. Opii, to rouse and support the flagging 
nervous and vascular systems. 
Cold water should now be vigorously thrown on the head, 
neck, spine, and body with good force. The after-treatment 
is much the same as one would carry out during con¬ 
valescence after an attack of ordinary fever. If this treat¬ 
ment is carried out early in the disease, and while the nervous 
and vascular systems retain a small amount of tone, we shall 
be rewarded with good success in many cases. But after a 
time the vessels of the lungs and brain lose their tonicity, 
and the treatment then fails to relieve the congestion, and 
tends to do harm. If the subject can walk, or be carried 
to an infirmary close by, it is certainly advisable to do 
so; or, if not, some shade or protection from the sun should 
be erected over the patient, or advantage taken of a near 
standing tree, until the horse shall have recovered suf¬ 
ficiently to be enabled to walk to the desired destination; 
and then to be placed in a perfectly dark, cool, and roomy 
box, with plenty of straw, and where quietude will be en¬ 
joyed. If a “ punkah” or fan can be set going over the 
subject it will have a very refreshing effect. When first 
taken, the harness should be immediately removed to afford 
every assistance to the circulation and respiration. 
I cannot speak too highly of the effects of cold water to the 
head, spine, and body. This must be perseveringly applied 
until the horse begins to show signs of animation and recovery. 
The appliance of cold water can be effectually performed by 
three or four men with pails, and who should dash the water 
on with good force. The capillary circulation being stagnant, 
like that of the great internal viscera, friction to the whole 
surface of the body will prove of great efficacy. Three or four 
men with wisps of straw will be necessary in order to have 
it well done. Speaking of this species of shampooing, I can 
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