STRANGLES. 51 



though he seems to desire food; he can drink but a swallow 

 or two at a time. Often, in attempting to swallow, a spell of 

 coughing will come on, and his life will seem in danger from 

 strangulation; and from this circumstance the disease takes 

 its name. The tumor is round and uniform, and increases 

 until it fills the entire space between the jaws. After awhile, 

 generally in from six to ten days, a soft place can be found in 

 the middle of the tumor, indicating that matter, or pus, has 

 formed, and has "come to a head." The tumor will soon break, 

 discharging a large quantity of pus, and the horse gradually 

 recovers. When matter forms, if it does not break, open it. 



Strangles may be distinguished from glanders and common 

 catarrh by its large, uniform swelling, and the knotted and 

 smaller swelling of glanders and catarrh. 



Causes. — Some young horses • take the disease without any 

 ascertainable provocation. It is generally taken after the ani- 

 mal has been exposed to such influences as usually give rise 

 to cold. The condition of the weather seems to have much to 

 do in developing it; it being more common in damp weather, 

 and in the spring and fall, than in other seasons. There 

 is much difference of opinion as to whether strangles is conta- 

 gious. That it may originate from other causes there can be 

 no doubt. But, aside from popular belief, there are very strong 

 reasons for regarding the disease contagious. The most uni- 

 form law of contagious diseases is, that they protect the system 

 from subsequent attacks. A horse that has once had stran- 

 gles is never again attacked with it. When it occurs on a 

 farm or in a stable, all the young horses that have not had it 

 are almost certain to take it before it leaves the place. ■ A mild 

 form of the disease has been produced on the continent of Eu- 

 rope by inoculation, which is said to have prevented the animal 

 from afterward taking the true disease. Hence I think we are 

 warranted in regarding strangles contagious, or catching. 



Another peculiarity of this disease is, that, if neglected or 

 improperly treated, it may run into farcy, or glanders, or both; 



