DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE. 87 



INFLAMMATION OF THE PAROTID GLAND. 



This is the salivary gland situated below the ear and between 

 the back part s){ the jaw bone and the neck. 



Causes. — Generally from a bruise of some kind. 



Symptoms. — There is a large, painful swelling just below the 

 ear, on the affected gland of either side. It is so painful the horse 

 can hardly eat or drink, and he stands with his head poked out. 



Treatment. — Give it lots of bathing with vinegar, hot water 

 and saltpetre; after bathing, rub dry, and rub well with white lini- 

 ment, then apply a poultice of boiled turnips and bran, or linseed 

 meal and bran, about half and half. Change the poultice three 

 times a day, and bathe and rub with liniment each time the 

 poultice is changed. This will check it and drive it away. If it 

 does not check the inflammation the gland will fester, form matter 

 and come to a head. It is well to let it come pretty well to a head 

 before attempting to open it. The way to tell when it is ready ta 

 lance or open is, you find a soft spot where the hair generally falls 

 out, and when you press your finger on the spot and take it 

 off the matter presses the skin back to its place quickly. You can 

 easily tell when it is fit to let. Take your knife or lance and give 

 the skin over the soft spot a little nick, which may be done with- 

 out any danger of bleeding. After this is done press the matter 

 all out and keep on bathing and poulticing till the swelling has 

 entirely gone down. After it is healed up, and if the gland 

 remains a little thick, blister with the following : 



Cantharides, or Spanish Fly 1 dram. 



Vaseline or lard 1 ounce. 



Mix thoroughly together and apply one half of the mixture, 

 tub it well and tie the horse's head up so he cannot rub it, leave 

 till the third day, then grease with some lard, and keep on greas- 

 ing for a few days until the blister gets healed up, then take some 

 warm water and soap and wash the grease off and, after drying, use 

 the other half of the blister same as first half. During the time 

 the animal is sick with this, feed and water him from a high 

 manger On account of his throat being so sore feed him mostly 

 soft feed which would be easily swallowed. Give him the follow- 

 ing powder for a tonic and diuretic to act on the kidneys: 



Nitrate of Potash, or Saltpetre ^ pound. 



Ground Gentian Root J «' 



Mix together and give a teaspoonful twice a day in his feed 

 or on his tongue. 



