DISEASES OF THE HORSE 79 



SORE THROAT 



(Pharyngitis — Laryngitis) 



Cause: Exposure to cold weather or rain when the 

 animal is not accustomed to it ; drenching with irritating 

 medicines or inhaling irritating smoke or gases. 



Symptoms; At first the animal generally chills, the 

 legs and ears are cold, but eventually they become very 

 warm as the temperature increases, coughing, grinding of 

 the teeth, saliva oozing from the mouth ; the animal will 

 hold its head in a stiff straight position, moving it as little 

 as possible. There will be great difficulty in masticating 

 and swallowing, as the food will come from the mouth in 

 the form of wads, and as this soreness of the throat pro- 

 gresses food will also come from the nostrils. This is a 

 bad sign, as extensive inflammation is no doubt present. 

 "Water, also, runs through the nostrils freely when the 

 animal attempts to drink, due to the swollen condition of 

 the throat. The animal forces the water back into the 

 mouth, but is unable to swallow and hence the water 

 gushes out through the nostrils. The animal evinces 

 great pain when pressure is applied from the outside 

 and he breathes with great difficulty. Although the 

 pulse is not much affected at this stage, the temperature 

 is elevated from one to two degrees above normal. The 

 urine becomes scanty and highly colored, the eyes blood- 

 shot and discharging. Eventually the throat becomes 

 greatly swollen and abscesses may form and discharge. 

 As a rule constipation is associated with this disease. 



Treatment : Mild attacks of sore throat are easily 

 treated, but when serious cases develop, it is unsuccess- 

 ful. Place the animal in a clean, comfortable stall ; per- 

 mit as much fresh air as possible, but avoid all drafts^ If 

 the weather is chilly, blanket the animal, hand rub the 

 legs and bandage with woolen cloths or bandage. Ad- 

 minister a mixture made from Chlorate of Potash, three 

 ounces; Nitrate of Potash, three ounces; Tannic Acid, 

 one-half ounce ; Molasses, one-half pint ; Pine Tar, one- 



