202 Common Diseases of the Horse 



the shape of badly-ventilated and insanitary stables, or by some of 

 the microbes which are floating about in the air getting into the 

 respiratory tract. 



Treatynent. — If taken in the early stages it is usually soon cured, 

 and this with very little trouble, but a neglected cold in the horse, 

 as in all other animals, may become serious. Complications may 

 occur; the throat and even the lungs may become affected. 



It is wise to isolate the animal as soon as its illness is detected, 

 because if this is not done other horses in the stable will very likely 

 become affected, particularly those that have not had a previous 

 attack. It is usual to regard cold as being caused by microbes, 

 and therefore it is infectious. As most people know, if one member 

 of a household contracts cold in the head it usually runs through 

 the whole establishment. The affected horse should therefore be 

 placed in a well-ventilated, well-lighted loose box; plenty of fresh 

 air should be allowed, light, warm clothing and bandages put on, 

 and the animal fed on easily digested, laxative food, such as bran 

 and chop. Any green food that may be in season should be offered, 

 as well as long hay. A certain amount of concentrated nutriment 

 is also necessary, and this may be supplied by giving a few pounds 

 daily of steamed or macerated whole oats. 



The nostrils require to be well sponged out both outside and 

 inside several times daily with a weak solution of some disinfectant. 

 The eyelids also require similar attention, or the face will become 

 scalded. Very little internal treatment is necessary, and under no 

 circumstances should the horse be drenched. Two ounces of Epsom 

 salts twice daily may be administered in the drinking water, and 

 in a few days the patient will generally make a complete recovery. 

 If, however, the process is not satisfactory, and at the end of three 

 days the discharge increases and becomes thicker, steaming of the 

 head must be resorted to. 



This may be done by placing some loose hay in a bucket and 

 pouring over it boiling water, to which has been added half a table- 

 spoonful to the gallon of carbolic acid, or one tablespoon ful of 

 almost any coal-tar disinfectant. The horse should be made to 

 hold his head as low as possible over this whilst partially enveloped 

 in a piece of clean sacking. 



The process should be repeated frequently during the day. 

 Under no circumstance whatever must a nosebag be used for this 

 purpose. Should the appetite not be good oatmeal gruel can be 

 given with advantage. 



