The illustrated horse doctor : $b being an accurate and detailed account of the various diseases to which the equine race are subjectedMayhew, Edward
Science
The illustrated horse doctor : $b being an accurate and detailed account of the various diseases to which the equine race are subjected
Mayhew, Edward
Horses -- Diseases
Infusion of aconite Half an ounce.
Extract of belladonna (rubbed down with one ounce
of water) Half a drachm.
Persevere with the above till the pulse amends, when withdraw the aconite,
but keep on with the belladonna, half a drachm of which may be added
to each dose of the ethereal drink; which ought to be resumed, should
amendment ensue upon the administration of the aconite draught.
Let the food consist entirely of thick gruel. The appetite occasionally is
unaffected during bronchitis; but, however pleasant it may be to behold
a horse masticate, all solids should be withheld, especially during the
acute stage. Nothing is so injurious to respiration as a loaded stomach,
and a single meal (if permitted) would speedily aggravate the symptoms
of this disease. When the disorder has subsided, food must be carefully
introduced; the water should be, as grooms say, "chilled," or, in ordinary
language, should have the chill removed. Boiled roots or crushed and
scalded oats should constitute the earliest approach to natural diet. Hay
should be given with extreme caution, the desire being to nourish the
body, not to load the stomach. A bundle of grass each day may be allowed
upon recovery being assured; and when hay is at length presented, mind
that for the first month it is thoroughly damped; for nothing more retards
recovery after bronchitis than the inhalation of those dusty particles
with which hay too often abounds.
[Illustration: THE COUGH OF INCURABLE BRONCHITIS.]
When the disorder is to terminate fatally, the proprietor, in the majority
of instances, speedily learns the fact. The pulse continues unamended at
first, but soon grows very quick and tremulous; the breathing becomes
more painful even to the spectator. Every inhalation appears to shake the
body; yet, so eager is the desire for air, that the haste and violence of
the respiration evidently defeat their object. The nasal membrane assumes
a bluish tint, a foul, bloody froth hangs about the nostrils; the eyes
are dull and fixed. The cough is the most distressing symptom. It occurs
in fits, and during the paroxysms the wretched animal reels about. The
noise cannot now be restrained; the horse has no strength to struggle
with disease. The sound which shakes the sore lungs and checks the
breathing that was already short to suffocation, cannot now be suppressed.
It continues until a quantity of discolored fluid is ejected from the
nostrils, then a brief respite ensues; but, as time progresses, the fits
grow more severe and much longer, while the strength to endure them even
more rapidly decreases.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account