Cause.—Unknown.
Symptom.—Heaviness, succeeded by fury in excess, but without any indication of malice.
Treatment.—Bleed from both jugulars till the animal drops. Then pin up, and give a purgative of double strength. Follow this with another blood-letting, if necessary, and scruple doses of tobacco; half-drachm doses of aconite root; or drachm doses of digitalis—whichever is soonest obtained. But whichever is procured must be infused in a pint of boiling water, and, when cool and strained, it ought to be given every half hour till the animal becomes quiet. But the probable result is by no means cheering, even if death is by these means avoided.
PLEURISY.
Causes.—Over-exertion; blows; injuries; cold.
Symptoms.—These are quickly developed. The pulse strikes the finger; pain continuous; agony never ceases; horse does not feed. Body hot; feet cold; partial perspirations. Muscles corrugated in places; cough, when present, suppressed and dry; auscultation detects a grating sound and a dull murmur at the chest. Pressure between the ribs produces great pain or makes the animal resentful. The head is turned very often toward the side; the fore foot paws; the breathing is short and jerking.
Treatment.—Should be active. Bleed, to ease the horse; place in a loose box; bandage the legs; leave the body unclothed. Give, every quarter of an hour, a scruple of tincture of aconite in a wineglass of warm water. When pulse has softened, give, every second hour, sulphuric ether and laudanum, of each one ounce; water, half a pint. Do not bleed a second time. When the pulse and pain are amended, introduce the steaming apparatus. Do nothing for the bowels. Place luke-warm water within easy reach of the head, and give nothing more while the disease rages. When the disease departs, return with caution to full food. After the affection subsides, blister throat and chest. If the horse is costive, administer enemas; or a bundle of cut grass may be presented with the other food.
PNEUMONIA.
Causes.—Fat; irregular work; and sudden exertion.
Symptoms.—Breathing labored; oppressed pulse; partial consciousness; giddiness. Standing with outstretched legs; head and ears dejected; coat rough; extremities and body cold; visible membranes discolored; bowels costive; feeling half dead; and general oppression.