Fever and Inflammation.—For the treatment of all fevers and inflammations the reader is referred to the method prescribed for human beings in similar cases.
For a horse in a high state of inflammation, Priessnitz prescribed his being put into a river for five minutes, then taken out, rubbed dry, for five minutes, then put again into the water and again rubbed, a process renewed until the inflammation had completely subsided. Sometimes this is effected in a short time; at others, it requires constant application for seven or eight hours. Perseverance in this treatment is certain of effecting a cure.
In an ordinary case of fever, resort to the wet-sheet packing; if necessary, change the sheet often, then administer a cold bath or affusion; repeat the operation twice a-day.
In all cases of inflammation or fever, if the body is confined, it is necessary to resort to clysters.
Want of appetite.—If frictions with wisps of straw upon a wet surface repeated three times a day do not produce appetite, the wet-sheet packing followed by ablutions and bandages must be resorted to.
To refresh and invigorate a horse.—Let him be well rubbed with coarse wet cloths or whisps of hay for an hour or two twice a day, then walked about until dry: a foot bath twice a-day for an hour each time, and the loins and legs bandaged.
If the skin of the animal is dry and contracted, use the packing sheet twice a day followed by cold-bath, or throw several pails of water over the body, use friction until the skin is dry, then bandage round the body.
If horses are allowed to be out at grass, they ought, nevertheless, to undergo the operations. With certain exceptions it would be better to keep horses up and send them out to exercise at stated times.
After every operation animals ought to be led about a little.