VARIETIES, SYMPTOMS, AND COURSE OF THE DISEASE. 97 



the piiriform secretion and other inflammatory products, 

 which, on being taken into the circulation, induce, under 

 certain conditions, the phenomena recorded and spoken of 

 under the terms j^J^niia and septic poisoning of the blood. 

 Most probably the delay in removal of the inflammatory pro- 

 ducts, previous to pus-formation, renders these a fit soil for the 

 development of bacterial forms, which, acting on these inflam- 

 matory products, render them infective and capable of pro- 

 ducing secondary abscesses and blood-contamination ; for it is 

 an ascertained fact that bacteria are ever present in secondary 

 or pyfemic lesions. In this way we may so far account for the 

 occurrence of this septic condition as a sequel of strangles in 

 the horse in those cases where the animals, when suffering 

 from the primary disease, are subjected to those unwholesome 

 influences attendant upon defective sanitary and other con- 

 ditions, or where, previous to the incursion of the fever, there 

 existed a peculiar dyscrasia. 



Treatment. — Simj)le or benign strangles rarely requires 

 much medical treatment, properly so called. Those various 

 conditions and details which together constitute correct 

 hygiene are the indications Avhich require specially to be 

 attended to. When first affected, whether in the open air 

 or located in the stable, if attainable, the animal is best placed 

 in a good clean loose box or covered yard, where there is suf- 

 ficient space for movement, a good supply of pure air and light, 

 without being exposed to cold draughts. Should the tempe- 

 rature be elevated from the normal standard, and other febrile 

 symptoms pronounced, it is always advisable to allow in the 

 drinking water, which ought always to be within reach of 

 the animal, a moderate amount of such cooling salines as 

 sulphate of soda, sulphate of magnesia, bicarbonate, nitrate 

 or chlorate of potass. By one friend of mine large quantities 

 of solution of acetate of ammonia, with full doses of salicyHc 

 acid, are given from the commencement of the fever, and 

 apparently with the efi:ect of moderating its severity. These 

 are taken in the drinkino: water. Should ansrina be trouble- 

 some, attended with difficulty in deglutition, or in cases where 

 the cough is distressing from the laryngeal irritation, good 

 results generally follow the inhalation of simple or medicated 

 hot- water vapour once or twice daily. 



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