MOUNTED INSTRUCTION 67 



When a valuable horse has sustained a wound that is feared may 

 be followed by tetanus, it is well to administer a dose of tetanus anti- 

 toxin. This is injected beneath the skin with a hypodermic syringe. 

 A very high degree of protection may in this way be afforded. This 

 antitoxin should be administered by a veterinarian. 



LAMINITIS 



Laminitis is a simple inflammation of the sensitive laminae of the 

 feet. Causes of laminitis are many and varied. The most common are 

 concussion, overexertion, exhaustion, and rapid changes of tempera- 

 ture. (First) Concussion produces this disease by local overstimu- 

 lation. (Second) Overexertion, as heavy pulling or rapid work, even 

 when there is no immoderate concussion, occasionally results in this 

 disease. (Third) Exhaustion causes those cases where the disease 

 follows a hard day's work, physical strength being impaired. (Fourth) 

 Rapid changes of temperature are exciting causes of laminitis, by im- 

 pairing the normal blood supply. (Fifth) Certain kinds of grain will 

 cause laminitis though the reason does not seem to be clearly under- 

 stood. 



AZOTURIA 



A disease of the liver and blood forming functions, with a loss of con- 

 trol of the hind limbs and the passage of soapy and dark colored urine. 

 It is directly connected with high feeding, especially on highly nitro- 

 genous feed (oats, peas, etc.) followed by idleness in the stall. 



Restrict diet and give daily exercise when the animal is not at work. 

 A horse that has had one attack should not be left idle for a single day 

 in the stall or on the picket line. 



LYMPHANGITIS 



Special inflammation of the lymphatic structures usually affecting 

 the hind legs ; very seldom a fore leg. 



Usually attacks well-fed animals, and in such cases may be due to 

 an excess of nutritive elements in the blood. Sudden changes in work 

 or in habits of the animal may induce an attack. Prevention same as 

 in azoturia. 



COLIC 



An excessive accumulation of gas in stomach, contraction of small 

 intestines, sand in stomach and small intestines, or infection of the 

 large intestines. 



Sudden changes of feed, too long fasting, feeding while animal is 

 exhausted, and giving feed that has been in the manger for some time 

 and has become sour; anything that produces indigestion, such as 

 watering when the animal is warm, driving a heated horse through 

 streams, and feeding on sandy picket lines. 



