DISEASES OF HORSES TREATMENT 159 



then causing lameness. Sprains and torn ligaments caused by galloping, jumping 

 or hard driving on heavy roads are causes. Any injury to the hock joint may bring 

 it on. 



Symptoms. There is a lameness which is very characteristic of spavin 

 and which is more pronounced when the horse first starts out. After being driven 

 some distance the lameness may disappear. The horse steps on the toe of the 

 affected foot while traveling and mostly stands with the heel of the affected foot 

 resting on the toe of the other foot. 



Treatment. The object is to weld together the diseased parts of the 

 bone. To do this give absolute rest. Apply fomentations of hot water to reduce 

 inflammation. Blisters may be applied with good results. Firing is often effective. 



Bots in a Horse's Stomach and the Gadfly Which Causes Them. 



Bots. 



Caused by gadflies laying eggs on the hair of horses. The horse gets them 

 into his mouth while biting himself and they are taken into the stomach, where 

 they hatch out, attaching themselves to the lining of the stomach where they feed. 

 They cause indigestion and severe inflammation of the stomach resulting in the loss 

 of flesh. A horse badly affected with bots acts something like one with spas- 

 modic colic. It often turns head to side, rolls on ground, rubbing sides. Rubs 

 against stall or posts trying to relieve himself. 



Treatment. Rub him with a rag soaked in kerosene. Also scrape eggs 



off with a knife. , 



Feed horses raw potatoes in feed. This has been found effective by farmers 

 in driving bots from horses. Give the animal one quart of molasses in two quart 

 of "milk, and follow with a good cathartic. 



Bronchitis. 



This is an acute inflammation of the bronchial tubes. When exerted the 

 animal breathes heavily. Often appetite is lost and he becomes debilitated 

 other cases, there is a cough, discharge of whitish matter, and a rattle wnicn 



