Treatment.—Give, as often and as quickly as possible, the following drink: Sulphuric ether and laudanum, of each three ounces; carbonate of magnesia, soda, or potash, four ounces; gruel, (quite cold,) one quart. Should the pulse be sinking, add to the drink carbonate of ammonia, one drachm. If corrosive sublimate is known to be the poison, one dozen raw eggs should be blended with each drench. If delirium be present, give the medicine as directed for tetanus, with the stomach pump.
ACUTE LAMINITIS.
Cause.—Often man's brutality. Horses driven far and upon hard roads are exposed to the disorder. Any stress long applied to the foot, as standing in the hold of a ship, may generate the affection.
Symptoms.—The pace seems odd toward the end of the journey; but the horse is placed in the stable with plenty of food for the night. Next morning the animal is found all of a heap. Flesh quivering; eyes glaring; nostrils distended, and breath jerking; flanks tucked up; back roached; head erect; mouth closed; hind legs advanced under the belly; fore legs pushed forward; fore feet resting upon the heels, and the limbs moved as though the horse were dancing upon hot irons.
Treatment.—Put on the slings in silence. To the end of the cords append weights. Soak the feet in warm water, in which a portion of alkali is dissolved. Cut out the nails from the softened horn. Before the shoes are removed give half a drachm of belladonna and fifteen grains of digitalis, and repeat the dose every half hour until the symptoms abate. When the slings are up, open the jugular vein; abstract one quart of blood, and inject one pint of luke-warm water. Clothe the body; place thin gruel and green-meat within reach, and leave two men to watch for the first three nights.
Next morning give sulphuric ether and laudanum, of each two ounces, in a pint of water. Should the pastern arteries throb, open the veins and place the feet in warm water. While the affection lasts, pursue these measures; and it is a bad symptom, though not a certain one, if no change for the better takes place in five days.
ALBUMINOUS URINE.
Cause.—Unknown.
Symptoms.—These consist of the positions assumed by the horse. The legs are either stretched out or the hind feet are brought under the body. Straddling gait, and much difficulty in turning within the stall. Some urine being caught, it is thick, and answers to certain chemical tests.