General [General]
Hot badly-ventilated stables are the most prolific sources of this dangerous disease; it sometimes follows influenza or neglected cold; violent exercise will also at times bring it on. This disease generally commences with shivering, dullness, a staring coat, sometimes loss of appetite, at other times the appetite is not impaired, breathing slightly quickened; these symptoms are soon succeeded by the breathing becoming very much accelerated, heaving of the flanks, skin hot, extremities cold, nostrils, expanded, the membrane inside the nose intensely red, eyes prominent, often suffused with tears, mouth hot, fore legs widely separated, anxious countenance indicative of great suffering; the animal usually stands in one position, and often looks mournfully at his sides; in the first stage the pulse is not often much affected, but it soon becomes quickened and irregular; often the pulsations are not distinguishable but only a sort of thrilling can be felt.
REMEDIES: Aconite, Phosphorus, Bryonia, Belladonna, Tartar emetic, Hepar Sulphur, Mercurius vivus, Ipecacuanha, Rhus toxicodendron, Squilla and Sulphur.
Aconite [Acon]
Aconite, in the very commencement, if there is much fever, quick and full pulse, thirst, hurried respiration, dry heat of the skin. It is considered the sheet anchor for this disease, as well as for all cases of inflammation, if it is restored to immediately at the commencement of an attack.
Dose. Four drops or six globules every fifteen, twenty or thirty minutes, until some amelioration of the most violent symptoms takes place, which may generally be seen at the end of two or three hours, it may then be administered at longer intervals in alternation with the next following remedy.
Phosphorus [Phos]
Phosphorus, may be used in alternation with Aconite, when the more violent febrile symptoms have been subdued.
Dose. Four drops or six globules every one, two or three hours according to the violence of the symptoms.
Bryonia [Bry]
Bryonia, if the breathing is difficult, especially if with each respiration there is heard a grunting sound.
Dose. The same as directed for Phosphorus.
Belladonna [Bell]
Belladonna, if the breathing is hurried, and a rattling noise is heard in the throat, short, dry cough occasioning a spasmodic constriction of the throat and chest.
Dose. The same as directed for Phosphorus.
Tartar emetic [Ant-t]
Tartar emetic, if the breathing is short and difficult, cough coming on in paroxysms, irregular almost imperceptible pulse; it is especially useful if hepatization is supposed to have commenced.
Dose. Four drops or six globules every three or four hours.
Hepar sulphur [Hep]
Hepar sulphur, frequent deep breathing, with wheezing, expectoration of tenacious mucus, as if tubercles or abscesses had formed.
Dose. Six drops three times a day.
Mercurius vivus [Merc-v]
Mercurius vivus, if there is much discharge, dry cough, oppressed breathing, pulse feeble, frequent sweating.
Dose. The same as prescribed for Hepar sulphur.
Ipecacuanha [Ip]
Ipecacuanha, if the breathing is rapid and anxious, rattling noise in the throat when breathing, eyes red and inflamed.
Dose. Six drops every one, two or three hours according to the violence of the case.
Rhus toxicodendron [Rhus-t]
Rhus toxicodendron, if there is oppression and heaving of the chest in breathing, the nose red, inflamed and painful to the touch, and the animal has his legs widely separated.
Dose. The same as directed for Ipecacuanha.
Squilla [Squil]
Squilla, violent, painful cough, breathing quick and anxious, constant desire to urinate.
Dose. Four drops or six globules every three hours.
Sulphur [Sulph]
Sulphur, rattling in the chest on breathing, relieved by expectoration, cough dry with discharge of lumpy greenish mucus as if abscesses had formed.
Dose. The same as directed for Hepar sulphur.
Conclusion [Conclusion]
The animal must be debarred from food till the violence of the disease is abated, and then it ought to be sparingly given for some time. Cold bran muscles, carrots, and a little sweet hay may be given; after a day or two, if all goes on favourably, a few oats may be allowed; cold soft water, frequently refreshed, should be constantly kept within reach of the horse.
If the legs are cold, they must be rubbed with the hands, and flannel bandages applied; the usual practice is to use straw or hay bands, but these are too cumbrous, and frequently worry and irritable the animal, and consequently do more harm than good.
