REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 281 



REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



By George Ahmatage, M.R.C.V.S., Professor of Anatomy and Physi- 

 ology, Glasgow Veterinary College, late of the Albert Veterinary 

 College, London. 



[Premium — Ten Sovereigns."] 

 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 



The diseases of farm horses are various and often numerous, 

 and prevail in accordance with climate, locality, pasturage, ex- 

 posure, and domestic treatment, &c, &c. 



As a means of preserving the usefulness of the horse — no 

 matter for what purpose he is set apart — much will depend 

 upon the system of management, both as regards the stables and 

 work. The proper principles, as a theme for separate discus- 

 sion, would amply repay for immediate consideration and 

 adoption. The want of due care by those in whom confidence 

 is placed, and who are entrusted with the charge of horses, is 

 also the source of much inconvenience and loss, by leading to 

 accidents and the infliction of injuries. In total ignorance, and 

 with a view of improving or adding to nature, much brutality 

 is often inflicted ; and by allowing meddling grooms and horse- 

 keepers to exercise their skill, the origin of which is of the most 

 doubtful character, I have seen injuries produced, terminating 

 in fatal disease ; and in consequence of their desire to keep mat- 

 ters secret, delay is occasioned, when even extraordinary measures 

 will then fail to realise a desirable and profitable change. 



It is impossible within the limits of such a paper as this to 

 do more than epitomise the various ailments of the farm horse. 

 His diseases and their prevention would best appear side by 

 side as a special subject considered at length, and as such strictly 

 followed up would be found highly profitable to him who studies 

 and adopts the same. 



The following classification of the maladies to which farm 

 horses are liable will be followed in this paper :— 



1. Diseases of the Masticatory and Digestive Organs. 



2. Skin Diseases. 



3. Blood do. 



4. Hereditary do. 



5. Diseases of the Nervous System. 



6. „ „ Kespiratory Organs. 



7. „ „ Urinary Organs. 



8. „ „ Organs of Vision. 



9. „ „ Feet. 



10. „ „ Organs of Locomotion 



