Common Diseases of the Horse 203 



Sore Throat 



This indicates inflammation of the membrane covering the 

 upper part of the throat, or to give it its proper name, the larynx. 

 In addition, the back part of the mouth (pharnyx) frequently shares 

 in the trouble, and consequently considerable difficulty is experi- 

 enced in swallowing. 



Causes. — The commonest causes arc cold; sudden changes of 

 the atmosphere from dry to wet; damp, muggy weather; badly- 

 ventilated, insanitary stables, when inflammation is caused by 

 ammonia and other emanations arising from decomposing urine, 

 &c.; neglect of stable management, whereby chills may be con- 

 tracted, such as bringing in the horse hot from a journey and 

 allowing him to stand without being groomed, or neglect of groom- 

 ing before he goes out; drenching with hot water or other irritating 

 fluids; injury in the administration of balls; mechanical injury 

 from outside; and last but not least, micro-organisms. 



Symptoms. — The first thing noticed is a cough, which is harsh, 

 dry, and painful, and can easily be distinguished as coming from 

 the throat. There will be difficulty in swallowing either solids or 

 liquids. 



A discharge from the nose occurs when the mucus produced by 

 the inflammation is thrown off. The temperature rises a little, and 

 pressure upon the outside of the throat at the top of the gullet 

 causes coughing and pain. The appetite is not much affected, and 

 in a simple case little more occurs. With careful nursing and 

 sanitary precautions the patient soon recovers. 



In severe cases all the above symptoms are aggravated; the 

 cough is troublesome and painful; an afTected animal will hardly 

 allow his throat to be touched; the appetite is diminished, and 

 swallowing is performed with great difficulty, or not at all. Liquids 

 will be returned through the nostrils. The temperature, however, 

 seldom rises more than two or three degrees, and the pulse is not 

 greatly affected ; a good deal of slobbering at the mouth may be 

 observed. 



Treatment. — Treatment is somewhat similar to that previously 

 described in catarrh. A well-ventilated loose box, with abundance 

 of fresh air, should be provided, and the patient clothed and ban- 

 daged. The throat may be rubbed with a little strong embrocation 

 night and morning for the first day or two as discretion directs. 

 It is wise not to continue the embrocation when more or less 

 blistering has occurred. 



It may not be out of place here to direct attention to the true 



