248 CHAPTER 26. 



If the tumour should form in any of the internal glandular structures, 

 such as the mesentery, liver, or lungs, it will probably be fatal. During 

 life we cannot be certain of its existence in any such situations. We 

 can only surmise it by the symptoms, namely, low fever and' emaciation. 

 We must in such cases trust to Nature ; but whilst we trust in her, we 

 must do all we can to assist her powers by sustaining the system by 

 generous diet and good nursing ; and we must especially avoid any 

 treatment, such as the administration of purgative medicine, which 

 would lower and debilitate the system. 



The tumour of Strangles may also form in different parts of the body 

 apart from the glandular structures, as for instance on the shoulders, in 

 front of the chest, &c. 



499. After-treatment. 



The after-treatment consists simply in the continuance of good nursing 

 and careful attention to appetite, diet, and ventilation, and properly 

 regulated exercise, until the strength is restored. The patient in general 

 recovers rapidly ; but if he is much debilitated, vegetable, followed by 

 mineral tonics, will be beneficial. 



500. Treatment hy Depletives. 



By some writers depletives and purgative medicines have been recom- 

 mended in Strangles ; but reason and experience alike militate against 

 any such treatment. Depletives will certainly check and perhaps dis- 

 perse the eruption, which it ought to be our object to develop. The 

 disposition to the eruptive fever will, however, remain, and the animal 

 will not thrive. In other words, the morbid material, which nature has 

 been seeking to get rid of by means of the eruption, will remain in the 

 system, and injuriously affect the general health. 



Again, the object of purgative medicine is in general to eliminate 

 from the system certain matters, of which it is desirable to get rid. 

 Why then interfere with the operations of Nature in strangles, when she 

 is striving in her own way, that is, through the medium of the eruption, 

 to free the system from morbid matter? 



Nature requires to be assisted, not to be opposed. The great object 

 in treatment is to keep up the strength by nutritious softened diet, and 

 thus to enable Nature to carry out her processes of relief by means of 

 the eruption. 



501. Is this disease Infectious? 



This disease is beyond doubt contagious. It is also generally believed 

 to be infectious. It is therefore desirable that any case should be at 

 once separated and isolated. The disease is certainly promoted by cold 

 damp weather. Horses seldom take Strangles a second time ; and on the 

 other hand, few horses escape it altogether. 



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