Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 4 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 4 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
_Mortality._ _Prognosis._ The mortality has generally averaged about 50
per cent. Much, however, depends on the violence of the attack, and the
reduced and worn out condition of the patient. The most hopeful cases
are those in which the temperature remains near the normal, the strength
and appetite are well sustained, the swellings are comparatively slight,
and there is no indication of any internal complication. The unpromising
symptoms are: persistent high temperature; complete anorexia; great
dulness and prostration; excessive swellings not only cutaneous but in
the nose and throat as well; a marked oozing from the swellings with a
tendency to form cracks, fissures and sloughs; the serious obstruction
of breathing and prevention of hæmatosis by blocking of the nose,
pharynx or larynx by sanguineous and serous exudate; the appearance of
oppressed breathing and other indications of exudate with the lungs and
chest, or of colics, diarrhœa, and other suggestions of effusion on the
bowels or in the abdomen. Extreme fetor of the expired air and of the
fæces is a bad symptom, though not always a fatal one. Sudden
retrocession of the cutaneous swellings, may be the precursor of
internal exudations and death, yet in the absence of marked acceleration
of the pulse, and of the objective symptoms of disease of the chest or
abdomen, it is rather to be taken as a herald of recovery.
_Treatment._ Whatever may be the precise cause of petechial fever it is
largely connected with and maintained by an unhealthy condition of the
blood, and especially with the presence of toxins and waste products in
that liquid. The first consideration is to secure for the patient the
best possible sanitary conditions. A roomy loose box, dry, clean, well
lighted and well aired, nourishing, easily digested food—green food,
carrots, turnips, or mashes—and pure water are desiderata. A sunny
exposure is desirable especially in winter, and everything like chill
should be guarded against. Blanketing may be called for in cold weather,
but the circingle like the halter should be avoided as being calculated
to cause indentation, cracking or sloughing of the swellings.
A moderate action of the bowels should be secured by the nature of the
food (linseed meal or tea), or by small doses of saline laxatives
(sodium sulphate) or calomel. Suppression of the urine too, must be
counteracted by diuretics (saltpeter, oil of turpentine) when necessary.
Further internal medication has been aimed to correct the dilatation of
the capillaries, and to prove antidotal to or to eliminate the poisons
present in the blood.
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