106 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



the animal maj^ i^reveiit a cold. Overwork or overexertion often 

 causes the most fatal cases of congestion of the lungs. Avoid pro- 

 longed or fast work when the horse is out of condition or unaccus- 

 tomed to it. Animals that have been working out in cold rains should 

 be dried and cooled out and not left to dry by evaporation. ^ATiien 

 the temperature of the weather is at the extreme, either of heat or 

 cold, diseases of the organs of respiration are most frequent. 



It is not to be supposed that farmers can give their horses the par- 

 ticular attention given to valuable racing and pleasure horses, but 

 they can most assuredly give them common-sense care, and this will 

 often save the life of a valuable animal. If the owner properly con- 

 siders his interests, he will study the welfare of his horses so that he 

 may be able to instruct the servant in details of stable management. 



WOUNDS ABOUT THE NOSTRILS. 



Wounds in this neighborhood are common, and are generally caused 

 by snagging on a nail or splinter or by the bite of another horse; or 

 b}^ getting " run into." or by running against something. Occasion- 

 alh' the nostril is so badly torn and lacerated that it is impossible to 

 effect a cure without leaving the animal blemished for life, but in the 

 majority of instances the blemish, or scar, is due to the want of con- 

 servative treatment. As soon as possible after the accident the parts 

 should be brought together and held there by stitches. If too much 

 time is allowed to elapse, the swelling of the parts will considerably 

 interfere. Never cut away any skin that may be loose and hanging, 

 or else a scar will certainly remain. Bring the parts in direct aj)posi- 

 tion and place the stitches from a quarter to a half inch apart, as cir- 

 cumstances may demand. It is not necessary to have special surgeons' 

 silk and needles for this operation ; good linen thread or ordinary silk 

 thread will answer. The wound afterwards only requires to be kept 

 clean. For this purpose it should be cleansed and discharges washed 

 away daily Avith a solution made of carbolic acid 1 part, in water 40 

 parts. If the horse is inclined to rub the wound against some object 

 on account of the irritabilit}^, his head should be tied by means of two 

 halter ropes attached to the opposite sides of the stall to prevent him 

 rubbing the wound open. The head should be so tied about ten days, 

 except when at work or eating. 



TUMORS WITHIN THE NOSTRILS. 



A small globular tumor is sometimes found within the false nostril, 

 under that part of the skin that is seen to puff or rise and fall when a 

 horse is exerted and breathing hard. These tumors contain matter of 

 a cheesy consistency. 



Treatment. — If the tumor is well opened and the matter squeezed 

 out, nature will perform a cure. If the opening is made from the out- 



