Special report on diseases of the horse / by Drs. Pearson [and others].

Date:
1903
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Special report on diseases of the horse / by Drs. Pearson [and others]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    593/690 (page 511)
    and hay tea, milk, eggs—anything which the stomach or rectum can be coaxed to take care of—must be employed to give the nutriment which is the only thing that will permanently strengthen the tissues, and they must be strengthened in order to keep the capillaries at their proper caliber. Laxatives, diaphoretics, and diuretics must be used to stimulate the emunctories so that they shall carry off the large amount of the prod- ucts of decomposition, which result from the stagnated effusions of anasarca. Of these the sulphate of soda in small repeated doses, and the nitrate of potash and bicarbonate of soda in small quantity, and the chlorate of potash in single large doses, will be found useful. Williams cites the chlorate of potash as an antiputrid. Stimulants and astringents are directly indicated. Spirits of turpentine serves the double purpose of a cardiac stimulant and a powerful warm diu- retic, for the kidneys in this disease will stand a wonderful amount of work. Camphor can be used with advantage. Coffee and tea are two of the diffusible stimulants which are too much neglected in veterinar}T medicine; both are valuable adjuncts in treatment in anasarca, as they are during convalescence at the end of any grave disease which has tended to render the patient anemic. Dilute sulphuric acic^ and hydrochloric acid are perhaps the best examples of a combination of stimulant, astringent, and tonic which can be employed. The simple astringents of mineral origin, sulphates of iron, copper, etc., are use- ful as digestive tonics; I doubt if they have any constitutional effect. The vegetable astringents, tannic acid, etc., have not proved efficacious in my hands. Iodide of potash in small doses serves the triple pur- pose of digestive tonic, denutritive for inflammation, and diuretic. Among the newer forms of treatment are diluted Lugol’s solution injected into the trachea, antistreptococcus serum and colloidal silver solution injected into the circulation. No one but a qualified veteri- narian would be competent to appty these remedies. Externally.—Sponging the swollen parts, especially the head, when the swelling occurs there, is most useful. The bath should be at an extreme of temperature—either ice cold to constrict the tissues or hot water to act as an emollient and to favor circulation. Vinegar may be added as an astringent. When we have excessively denuded surfaces, suppuration, or open wounds, disinfectants should be added to the wash. In cases of excessive swelling, especially of the head, mechanical relief may be required. Punctures of the part should be made with the hot iron even in country practice, as no other disease so predis- poses to septic contamination. When mechanical asphyxia is threat- ened tracheotomy may be demanded. With the first evidence of d}^spnea, not due to closing of the nostrils or glottis, or with the first pawing which gives rise to a suspicion of colic, a mustard plaster