Cattle 1853 - Lewis Family Farm

ACUTE AND EPICEM1C PNEUMONIA.
which, the vital power being exhausted, disease of a typhoid and
malignant character succeeds.
Of the nature of the treatment there can be no rational doubt.
Although the state of acute fever is quickly succeeded by one of a
perfectly contrary character, it is not until it has committed the most
earful ravages. The congested state of the lungs—the breaking
down of the substance of that important part—must be sufficient to
convince any rational person of the mischief that is going forward in
the early stage, and the necessity of disarming the enemy before that
mischief is irreparably inflicted. Therefore this acute pneumonia
should be attacked in time, and by the most energetic treatment.
Bleeding is the sheet-anchor, and should be pushed to its full extent.
The important fact that the pulse, duly attended to, will prevent the
possibility of injurious consequences from bleeding in every case, cannot
be too often alluded to. While the pulse keeps up, the power
of the constitution, or rather the power of the disease, is unimpaired
and the faltering of pulse gives timely warning that one or the other
is preparing to give way. It is folly to object that the after weakness
will be increased, or that the bleeding will undermine the power of
the constitution ; it is the disease which is doing this, and which will
fatally accomplish its work if unchecked. By weakening the power
of the disease, and especially by its removal, the vigor of the system
would be preserved, and the animal would be saved. In proportion
to the intensity and rapid progress of the inflammation should be the
vigor the attack.
The state of the cough, and heat of the breath, and heaving of the
flanks, will indicate, in the space of a few hours, whether the fever is
permanently diminished, or has again rallied its forces ; and by this
the practitioner will be guided as to the propriety of a second bleed-
ing, and the quantity of blood to be taken.
Physic will of course succeed. Two scruples of the farina of the
Croton nut should first be given, as most likely to operate speedily ;
and the Epsom salts and the injection-pump should be in requisition
until the bowels are well opened.
This being accomplished, if the inflammation evidently continues,
digitalis, emetic tartar, and nitre will be given. If the fever is, to a
very considerable degree, subdued, but it is far from certain whether
there may not be lurking danger of its return, the sedative medicines
must still be given, but half an once of the spirit of nitrous ether
should be added. This is an excellent medicine in such cases. It is
both a sedative and a tonic. It allays irritation, and it stimulates to
healthy action. Its good effect, however, is often destroyed by its
being given in enormous doses. In these doubtful cases it will rarely
be prudent to give more than half an ounce ; and when designed as
a stimulant, the dose should rarely or never exceed double thai
quantity.
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