204 Common Diseases of the Horse 



throat, i.e. the proper place to which the embrocation should be 

 applied. This is the groove running down from the base of the 

 ear to the back of the lower jaw; it is between the head and neck, 

 and not underneath the jaw or down the windpipe. This is men- 

 tioned because one so often finds that the lower part of the neck, 

 even down to the entrance of the chest, has been blistered upon 

 the supposition that these parts constitute the throat. Internally, 

 sedatives and astringents In the shape of electuaries of belladonna, 

 chlorate of potash, and boracic acid, are useful. A good method 

 is to dissolve i oz. of chlorate of potash in a quarter of a bucketful 

 of cold water, and place it before the horse to play with. This 

 will act after the manner of a gargle for the human subject. If 

 the throat is very sore, steaming, as already indicated, with water, 

 to which a tablespoonful to the gallon of eucalyptus, carbolic acid, 

 or any other of the coal-tar compounds has been added, will afford 

 relief Hot-water fomentations, or hot-water packs, covered by hot 

 dry flannel bandages, applied directly to the throat are also used. 



Sometimes the attack is of a chronic nature, and the patient does 

 not recover. It is then necessary to resort to more drastic treatment, 

 and a " red " blister (biniodide of mercury) may be applied to each 

 side of the throat. Occasionally the swelling in the throat may be 

 so great as to cause a roaring noise, and a danger of suffocation 

 arises. Immediately such symptoms are noticed the advice of the 

 veterinary surgeon must be sought, as it may be necessary to put 

 a tube into the animal's windpipe to give temporary relief and 

 prevent suffocation. During the course of the disease abscesses 

 may form and rupture inwardly, or be indicated by the outward 

 appearance of tense, painful swellings that will require to be treated 

 with the surgeon's knife. The sooner they are opened the better, 

 and they should be encouraged to form quickly, or " point ", by the 

 application of a little embrocation rubbed daily into their dependent 

 and prominent part. The decline of the disease is marked by the 

 cough becoming softer and more moist, and the expulsion through 

 the nostrils of mucus, &c., from the inflamed membranes. 



After a severe attack there is some risk, particularly in light, 

 well-bred animals, that permanent roaring may follow. To mini- 

 mize such a risk it is advisable to apply the red blister mentioned 

 above. The disease is often of a very debilitating nature, and 

 strength is slow in returning. For these reasons, during conva- 

 lescence the administration of tonics, both mineral and vegetable, 

 is necessary, as well as a comparatively long rest. Good food and 

 careful exercise are essential. During the course of the disease 

 feeding has to be carefully considered. An affected animal may 



