The aconite root is intended to lower the circulation. When the pulse is quick and hard, a scruple of the powder may be thrown upon the tongue every half hour, till the beat of the artery soften, or till the animal appear to be affected by the medicine. The above measures are to be adopted without regard to the calomel and opium previously recommended.
A horse having survived one attack of nephritis, can scarcely, however successful may be the treatment, be restored to its original condition. The glands which have suffered inflammation must be left in an irritable state.
CYSTITIS—INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.
This disorder is somewhat rare in the horse. Few cases have occurred; even those were not strongly marked. Besides the general indications present during nephritis, such as quickened breathing, accelerated pulse, straddling gait, etc. etc., the most prominent sign concerns the emission of the urine. The bladder is irritable at the commencement; the kidneys have not secreted half a pint of fluid before it is violently expelled, and much straining, accompanied by sounds expressive of pain, follows the act. As the disease progresses, the bladder is contracted, and the water issues drop by drop, or as a constant dribble. This particularity marks the disease, which is also distinguished from nephritis by the roached back being absent; the spine rather being hollowed more than is usual in cystitis.
A DANGEROUS TEST FOR INFLAMMATION
OF THE BLADDER.
Most lecturers direct the student to insert the arm up a horse affected with cystitis and to feel the compressed bladder; this is easily accomplished, as the engraving demonstrates; but is the operation perfectly safe? White muscular tissue, when inflamed, becomes acutely sensitive. The bladder possesses a thick coat of that substance, and the hand, grasping an organ of this formation when in a state of disease, would probably torture the sufferer to frenzy. It is not wise to excite a creature commanding so huge a strength. There is, however, a test which yields as certain a response, and, at the same time, is far less hazardous. This consists in placing the hand under the flank and keeping it there till all the action which could be attributable to skittishness has disappeared; then press the abdomen, which, should it be hard and resistant, is a convincing proof cystitis is not present; for contraction of the recti abdominis muscles would force the contents of the cavity into violent contact with the inflamed bladder. Should any doubt be entertained concerning the condition of the muscle named, a little more pressure will soon ascertain the fact. However, let the person who applies the test be prepared for the consequence, as the application of pressure to a diseased organ provokes a sudden and energetic resistance, intended to strike the tormentor backward.
The treatment for inflamed bladder and diseased kidneys is alike as regards the administration of aconite root, extract of belladonna, calomel and opium. The reader is, therefore, in some measure referred to the article upon nephritis; there is, however, a difference in application of counter-irritation by means of a rug doubled over a cloth, which last is saturated with strong liquor of ammonia diluted with six times its bulk of water; should this not be within reach, hot cloths retained under the belly are the next best application; but these require constant change and a larger supply of heated fluid than most private establishments can command. Should both recommendations prove useless, then apply cloths dripping wet from a cold bath, and keep renewing them so often as they become warm.
A SAFER TEST FOR INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.