52 MODERN FARRIER, 



sore throat. Sometimes alsa it is attended by 31 

 ooiigh and a discharge from the nose. But this epi- 

 demical disorder varies much in its symptoms, and 

 is found to prevail mostly amongst young horses. 

 Sometimes it is infectious and epidemical. 



Causes. — This distemper is generally attributed 

 to the effects of cold easterly winds upon animals 

 who are confined in dose hot stables, especially at 

 the time they are shedding their winter-coats. 

 Young horses are sometimes afflicted by it when 

 shedding their teeth. It has, however, been as- 

 cribed by some writers to the peculiar state of the 

 atmosphere. 



Cut^e. — This disorder is seldom fatal when judi- 

 ciously treated ; but many valuable young horses 

 have been destroyed by administering heating cor- 

 dials, which is always hurtful in febrile cases. A.s- 

 soon as the symptoms of the distemper appear, the 

 horse should be bled, the bowels opened by clysters, 

 and, if the costiveness usually attending this com- 

 plaint continues, a mild purge may be given. This 

 with diluents, such as water-gruel or bran-water, 

 which should be given plentifully, will be found 

 sufficient to effect a cure. In cases where the throat 

 appears swelled, a blister may be applied. 



31. The Colic. 



Symi:)foms. — This disease is indicated by the 

 horse's alternately and suddenly lying down and 

 rising ; by his striking his belly with his hind feet ; 

 stamping with his fore feet ; refusing his meat ; and 

 when the gripes are violent, by convulsive twitches^ 

 turning up his eyes, stretching out his limbs, and 

 alternate sweats and cold damps ; striving to stale ; 

 turning his head frequently towards his flanks ; 

 rolling about, and often turning on his back. 



When the pulse becomes small and feeble, the 

 horse frequently lies on his back, voids small por- 



I 



