324 REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



persistently applied, and succeeded by injections of ether or 

 prussic acid, in tolerably large doses. Enemas of tobacco smoke 

 are highly efficacious. All known wounds should be poulticed 

 or fomented, to promote a discharge of pus ; but, as a rule, blisters 

 and setons are very much more injurious than beneficial. 



Paralysis occurs at times from sprains of the back, which 

 affect the spinal chord ; it also arises from affections of the brain, 

 tumours in the ventricles, &c, of which paralysis is only a 

 S3miptom. That form to which the farm horse is most liable, 

 arises from injuries to the vertebral chain, and as a consequence 

 of effusion into the canal in influenza. I have known it arise 

 from hard work, inducing inflammation of the cord and mem- 

 branes in young animals. It sometimes affects one half, but 

 mostly the hinder parts of the body. 



Treatment. — If it arises from injury to the spine, no cure- 

 can be effected. When it arises as a sequel of influenza — good 

 food, laxatives, comfortable housing, stimulants, and tonics, with 

 mild diuretics, as iron and nitre, &c. In some cases, strychnia 

 may be used. 



DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS. 



The respiratory organs of farm horses are liable to attacks of 

 disease, the various forms of which are catarrh, laryngitis, or 

 sore throat, bronchitis, congestion, and inflammation of the lungs, 

 and pleurisy. 



Catarrh, or cold in the head, consists of inflammation of 

 the mucous membrane which lines the nose and cavities of the 

 head. The pale flush of colour which in health is seen on this 

 membrane, becomes heightened to redness. At first it is dry, 

 and afterwards there exudes a watery discharge, which becomes 

 thick and purulent. Cough is not necessarily present, nor are 

 there symptoms of much constitutional disturbance. Neglected 

 cases of catarrh, by following the aerial track, often result in the 

 establishment of chronic cough, bronchitis, or even inflammation 

 of the lungs, and "landers. 



Treatment. — Supply cool fresh air ; keep the body warm by 

 rugs and clothing, and legs by bandages. A mild laxative may 

 be needed, and clysters of tepid water used with advantage in 

 constipation, which is often present. The food should be soft 

 and laxative, in which four or six drams of nitre may be given 

 for three or four days. 



If the throat is sore, and the animal cannot swallow easily, 

 apply oil or spirits of cantharides over the outside, and use 

 alum water and treacle to wash or gargle the mouth. 



The most common causes of catarrh are sudden alterations 

 of temperature, standing after being heated, or in perspiration — 

 a common cause with farm horses, the driver allowing them to 



