200 Common Diseases of the Horse 



growth is observed the owner will be well advised to limit the 

 animal's work and put him on a light laxative diet. 



A five- or six-year-old requires to grow down, or as it is com- 

 monly called, to " drop himself". A little increase in height is 

 natural, especially when fed as he should be for hard work, but the 

 growth should be gradual, natural, and an all-round development. 



Treatment. — In the acute stage associated with the rise of 

 temperature and hot and painful swellings, alkaline treatment is 

 indicated to counteract acidity. A ball containing bicarbonate of 

 soda and salicylic acid may be given three times daily, and 2 oz. 

 of Epsom salts in the drinking water first thing every morning will 

 be found to act as a nice laxative. 



The swollen joints or tendons may be rubbed with arnica or 

 camphor lotion, and dry flannel bandages applied. Hot fomenta- 

 tions are also used, but in rheumatism I am not an advocate of 

 water of any kind, and under no circumstance should cold water 

 be used. 



After the acute stage has subsided and the temperature is 

 reduced, and also in the subacute stage, a full dose of aloes should 

 be administered, 4 to 6 drachms, depending upon the size and class 

 of animal — 4 for a cob, 5 for the 15- to i6-hands harness horse or 

 hunter, and 6 for a full-grown cart horse. 



When the bowels assume their normal state salicylic acid may 

 be given until apparent recovery. Even when this appears per- 

 manent, one must remember that it is always liable to recur, and 

 due precautions should be observed. 



Upon resuming work the diet must be carefully regulated, and 

 no dry corn should be given; Indian corn or maize in any form 

 must be avoided. The best food is steeped oats. Sufficient for 

 the following day may be placed in cold water, just enough to 

 cover them overnight, and mixed with the requisite amount of 

 chopped hay next day. Two pounds of bran and half a pound of 

 linseed may be added with benefit. A handful of Epsom salts in 

 the drinking water, first thing in the morning, is an excellent pre- 

 ventative. Where rheumatism has progressed so far as to become 

 chronic and not amenable to the above treatment, such as when 

 the tendons and joints have become swollen and contracted, the 

 joints enlarged, and the pasterns straight, firing must be resorted 

 to, and in all cases a long rest is required. 



After such operations the result will be far more satisfactory if 

 the patient is placed in a well-ventilated loose box, with plenty of 

 fresh air, for a month or six weeks, than if turned out to grass, 

 because if the weather is at all wet or cold it will have a most 



