454 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



be remedied. That which is gentle work in one instance may incite 

 disease in another. That which is feed to-day may to-morrow prove 

 disastrous to health. Finally, necessary medical interference, no 

 matter how judicious, may cause a more serious complaint than that 

 Avhich was being treated. Xotwithstanding these difficulties there are 

 some general rules to be observed that will in pait serve to prevent 

 the development of an unusual number of cases. First of all the 

 predisposing causes must be removed when possible; when im- 

 possible, unusual care must be taken not to bring an exciting cause 

 into operation. Under no circumstances should fat animals have 

 hard work. If the weather is warm or the variation of temperature 

 great, all horses should have but slow, gentle labor until they become 

 inured to it, the tissues hardened, and their excitability reduced to 

 a minimum. Green horses should have moderate work, particularly 

 when taken from the farm and dirt roads to city pavements; for 

 under these circumstances increased concussion, changed hygienic 

 conditions, and artificial living readily become active causes of the 

 disease. Army horses just out of winter quarters, track horses with 

 insufficient preparation, and farmers' horses put to work in the spring 

 are among the most susceptible classes, and must be protected by work 

 that is easy and gradual. If long marches or drives are imperative, 

 the incumbrances must be as light as possible and the journey inter- 

 spersed with frequent rests, for this allows the laminse to regain their 

 impaired functional activity and to withstand much more work witli- 

 out danger. Furthermore, it permits early detection of an attack, 

 and prevents working after the disease begins, which renders subse- 

 ([uent medication more effective by cutting the process short at the 

 stage of congestion. 



All animals when resting immediately after work should be pro- 

 tected from cold air or drafts. If placed in a stable that is warm 

 and without draft, no covering is necessary; under opposite condi- 

 tions blankets should be used until the excitement and exhaustion of 

 labor have entirely passed away. It is still better that all animals 

 coming in warm from work be " cooled out "' bv slow walking until 

 the perspiration has dried and the circulation and respiration are 

 again normal. Animals stopped on the road even for a few moments 

 should always be protected from rapid change of temperature by 

 appropriate clothing. If it can be avoided, horses that are working 

 should never be driven or ridden through water. If unavoidable, 

 they should be cooled off before passing through, and then kept mov- 

 ing until completely dried. The same care is to be practiced with 

 washing the legs in cold water when just in from work, for occa- 

 sionally it proves to be the cause of a most acute attack of this 

 disease. 



