FARM ANIMALS 67 



In the first place we may mention some of the 

 more important infectious diseases of the horse. 



Influenza is a contagious fever which causes 

 great depression and is complicated with numerous 

 secondary troubles. Infection from this disease 

 is frequently carried in water but most horses be- 

 come infected from exposure in dirty stables. 

 After exposure a period of 4 to 7 days passes before 

 the disease appears. The symptoms are high fever 

 with a temperature of 104 to 107 F., stupor, 

 dulness, hanging head, red color and inflammation 

 of the mucous membrane of the mouth and eye. 

 The pink condition of this organ is responsible for 

 the name pink eye which is often applied to this 

 disease. Pregnant mares are often caused to ab- 

 ort by influenza. One attack of the disease renders 

 the animal immune. Horses are most susceptible 

 at the age of 4 to 5 years and consequently in buying 

 horses this constitutes another reason why those 

 past the age of 5 should be preferred. While the 

 appetite remains the horse should be fed small 

 quantities of hay or grain and roots. To reduce 

 the high temperature cold water may be applied by 

 injecting into the rectum or small doses of Glauber's 

 salts or bicarbonate of soda may be administered. 



Strangles, also called distemper, is an infectious 

 disease which is most frequently observed in young 

 horses. As a rule one attack renders the animal 

 immune. The disease is transmitted by direct con- 

 tact with infected animals usually in barn yards, 

 livery stables, and other places where large num- 

 bers of horses come and go. The symptoms are 

 cold, dejection, thirst, staring coat, chills, rapid 

 pulse, cough, discharge from the nostrils within 

 two days after the outbreak of the disease. A 

 swelling takes place in the jaw which is at first very 



