BRONCHITIS.
—A common disease of domestic animals attacking the bronchial tubes. It may be chronic, but is usually acute, and may affect one side or both. The most frequent causes of bronchial catarrh are colds. A sudden cooling of a heated body by drenching, by the breathing of cold damp air, may all bring on the disorder. Dust, smoke or gas, when inhaled, often produces the same trouble. Acute bronchitis usually sets in with a sudden rise of the temperature of the body, and the animal seems to have a chill. This may be quite violent at times. The cough is noticed very much as with people, being short, dry, and husky. Later on, as the disease progresses, a frothy mucus follows the cough. Associated with the disease is a loss of appetite, constipation, and pains in the chest and rattling in the chest and throat. A favorite position of the horse is standing and of other stock that of lying down. Good care is essential in the treatment. That means, with good treatment, dust, smoke, and bad air are to be severely avoided. Plenty of good ventilation, but no draft; and warm, well-lighted quarters are very desirable. The animal should be blanketed to be kept warm in the early stages and a compress placed over the chest, with blankets over the compress. Frequent changing of this compress is desirable, say a change every hour or two. When the animal is suffering from a chill, stimulants are excellent. A tablespoonful of whiskey in a pint of water and given as a drench every half hour or hour will be helpful.
After the chill period is passed, small doses of tincture of aconite, say 10 to 15 drops, in a little water as a drench will assist in discharging the mucus. When the animal has become at ease, a mustard plaster applied to the lungs will help you somewhat. From now on the treatment should be good nursing and good food. Boiled flaxseed and gruel will be very helpful. A very helpful preparation may be made of the following: Nitrate of potash or saltpeter, tartar emetic, ground gentian root, equal parts. A half pound or pound in all should be mixed thoroughly, and then a teaspoonful given three times each day. When all danger is passed, continue the careful handling and allow two or three weeks’ complete rest.