Common Diseases of the Horse 205 



be allowed anything to eat, with the exception of dry corn. In 

 my experience I have found that the patient will reject mashes 

 and other soft foods, but will eat long hay with great relish, doubt- 

 less because the mastication necessary causes an abundant flow of 

 saliva, and so relieves the dry and parched condition of the mouth 

 and throat. 



Strangles 



Strangles is a specific contagious disease affecting only the 

 horse, ass, and mule, and is due to a micro-organism. It is char- 

 acterized by fever, a discharge from the nostrils, and the formation 

 of abscesses. It usually affects young animals, but old horses may 

 also suffer. After having had one attack it is most unusual for an 

 animal to become again affected. The most characteristic symptom 

 is a swelling in the space between the lower jaws, and this ulti- 

 mately forms into an abscess and bursts. Sometimes, however, 

 abscesses, depending upon how the disease has been contracted, 

 form in other parts of the body, such as the liver, kidneys, and 

 lungs. It is then spoken of as Bastard Strangles. In whatever 

 form the disease occurs it is of a debilitating nature, and for some 

 time afterwards careful nursing and good dieting will be very 

 necessary or other dangerous maladies are likely to supervene. 

 Once a satisfactory recovery is assured the patient thrives well. 



Predisposing Causes. — These are youth, cold, damp weather, 

 catarrh, change from country to town, badly-ventilated stables, 

 any condition that lowers the vitality, and by some it is contended 

 that it commonly occurs during the casting of teeth. The actual 

 cause is of course the specific microbe. 



Symptoms. — These may be mild or severe. In the former case 

 the temperature rises a little; there is a swelling under the jaws 

 which may be on one or both sides, and is accompanied by a dis- 

 charge from one or both nostrils corresponding usually to the side 

 of the jaw on which the swelling occurs. The discharge is semi- 

 white and not of a very sticky nature. The pulse is not much 

 affected and the appetite diminishes very little. If severe, most 

 of the above symptoms are aggravated, the horse is noticeably 

 sick, the fever is high, and according to the size and position of the 

 abscess so will the symptoms vary. If it is deeply-seated in the 

 throat and swelling inwardly, it will take much longer to form, 

 and may by pressure affect the breathing, which becomes of a 

 snoring nature and gives one the impression that strangulation 

 is about to take place — hence the name, strangles. If the increase 

 in size is apparent on the surface, the breathing will be very little 



