86 The Bulletin. 



COMMON DISEASES OF LIVE STOCK. 



W. G. CIIRISilAN. 



The diseases of live stock, like those of the human being, are divided into two 



classes contagious and coiuiiniiiicable or catching diseases and those which are 



not traiisfcrabTe or communicable, or catching, from one animal to another. It is 

 to the first division that 1 desire to direct your attention. 



The horse, being the animal in general use on our plantations, therefore gives 

 rise to most concern. One of the contagious diseases to wiiicli horses and mules 

 alike are subjected is strangles or distemper. This disease, whilst very common 

 in almost all localities, yet in some sections is much more severe than in others, 

 and in some years nuicli more severe than in others, and, like all other diseases, in 

 some patients much more severe than in others. This disease is so common and 

 so well known by all farmers and tliose that handle horses, that they apparently 

 pay but little attention to it; however, it is very much more serious than is 

 usuallv considered. 



'J here are some precautions which, if taken by the farmer will, to a great 

 extent, reduce the spread of this disease. For instance, when we have a horse 

 that we know is allVcted with strangles or distemper, we should be very careful 

 to leave him in his own stall, carry to him the water that he drinks, the feed he 

 consumes, \ising the utmost care never to use about the well animals the food 

 boxes, water biu-kets, bridle, or any utensils that have been about the sick horse. 

 By doing this we would greatly reduce the spread of the disease. If we have to 

 use a horse when the disease is present, on our plantation, it is certainly wise 

 that we use a well one, rather than a sick one. This is wise from two stand- 

 points: first, because, the well horse will not carry the contamination to the 

 neighboring horses; and again is in much better condition to do the work and 

 doe's it ve^ry much more satisfactorily both to himself and owner, than the 

 sick one. 



The symptoms of this disease are so well known to almost all farmers and 

 horse men that they consider it of little value and give it comparatively little 

 attention. However, these symptoms are clear and well defined. The first we 

 notice is the staring coat or tlie hairs turned back toward tiie animal's head. 

 There is present a cough, sometimes slight, other times severe; usually a discharge 

 from the nostrils, which is at first of a rather watery consistency and later a 

 yellowish hue and very tenacious and often accompanied by a disagreeable odor. 

 There is also a redness of the white of the eye, sometimes a discharge like tears 

 from the animal's eyes, and a swelling under the throat; quickened breathing: 

 a tucked appearance of the (lank; the horse standing with his head down. He 

 usually turns toward the window or door in order to breathe the fresh air: scant 

 appetite and inability to swallow comfortably either food or water. Oftentimes a 

 stillness or swelling of the legs, staggering gait, evincing great weakness. These 

 are all symptoms tiiat are quite clear and can be easily recognized. 



The treatment for this disease is comparatively simple. Use a purgative of 

 one quart of raw linseed oil, two ounces of spirits of turpentine, giving this as a 

 drench; and use utmost care that the horse's head is not held too high and the 

 medicine aihninistered too ra|)iilly, for in case this reaches the lungs instead of 

 the stomach we may add more trouble than we have reduced. Give them a plenty 

 of pure, fresh water, in nice clean buckets; bran mash, hot, or a little boiled 

 oats; or, if in the springtime and the pastures are green, there is nothing better 

 nor more tempting than grass. 



Place the horse in a good comfortable box stall with plenty of good sunshine, 

 witliout draft, and if the weather is cool, blanket him in order tiiat he may be 

 comfortable. H his legs are cold — which is likely to be the case — bathe them 

 in hot water and rub them dry, and bandage them in order to stimulate the circu- 

 lation. Toward the mitldle of the day give him a short walk in the sunshine 

 or turn him in a small lot for e.xercise. If you find medicinal treatment is neces- 



