44 HEALTH AND DISEASE 



Gloss-anthrax is sudden in its onset, and rapid in its course, proving 

 fatal in twenty-four to forty-eight hours. It is specially marked by an 

 enlargement of the entire length of the tongue, during which large vesicles 

 or blisters appear on some part of its surface, and occasionally on the 

 cheeks also. Within them is contained a quantity of red and blackish- 

 red watery exudation, but this soon escapes, leaving behind grayish-black 

 unhealthy-looking sores. The tongue is swollen, and partly protrudes 

 from the mouth, at first presenting a red appearance, but soon becoming 

 dark and livid. The enlargement is also oltserved between the jaws, 

 extending to the throat, and sometimes along the course of the neck. 

 The tumefied state of the tongue renders mastication and swallowing 

 impossible, and considerably embarrasses the breathing. The face in this 

 condition presents a hideous, and at the same time an anxious, expression. 

 The lining membranes of the eyes and nose are intensely reddened, the 

 pulse is rapid, small, and weak, the temperature of the body increased, 

 and a fatal prostration, speedily associated with twitching and trembling 

 of the muscles and patchy sweats, supervenes. 



Treatment is of no avail in these cases, and they should be summarily 

 disposed of. As a means of preventing further spread of the disease every 

 sanitary precaution should be taken as regards the horse, the stable, and 

 the litter removed out of it. 



RABIES OF THE HORSE 



It is well known that the bite of a rabid animal is the sole cause of 

 this disease in the horse. 



In this country it is always traced to the bite of a rabid dog. The 

 time which elapses between the inoculation of the animal by the teeth of 

 a dog and the appearance of the disease varies from four to twelve weeks, 

 and cases are recorded in which it is extended to a much longer period. 



Symptoms. — If it is known that the horse has been bitten by a rabid 

 dog, the attendant will carefully watch for the first symptoms of derange- 

 ment. Otherwise, no suspicion being excited, very little attention will 

 be paid to the early symptoms. The horse becomes nervous and excitable, 

 bites at any object within his reach, and occasionally seems disposed to 

 attack the persons to whom he is quite accustomed. In some cases the 

 horse will bite his own skin, and will very likely swallow indigestible 

 substances, anything which is lying on the ground. There is always 

 considerable thirst, and those who look for any indications of hydrophobia, 

 dread of water, will be disappointed, as that symptom is peculiar to the 

 human subject. As the disease becomes more pronounced the horse 



