DISEASES OF HORSES TREATMENT 173 



Symptoms. Lameness usually precedes the development of a quittor. 

 The opposite leg becomes swollen because of doing work. Thirst increases. 

 A rubbery feeling tumor develops. Pus usually comes from tubes that form 

 in the injury. 



Treatment. Mud and dirty water should be avoided. Wash off the foot 

 with warm water. Cold water should be applied to stop the increase of inflam- 

 mation. Use poultices of linseed meal or boiled turnips. Great care should 

 be taken in dressing the wound and the poultice should be renewed every 

 two days. 



Put wet balls of oakum in a solution of eight drops of bichloride of mer- 

 cury to 2 tablespoonfuls of water and add a few drops of muriatic acid to dis- 

 solve the mercury. 



The tubes after cleaning with boiled water can be flushed out with tinc- 

 ture of iodine. 



Rheumatism. 



This is a disease similar to that of people resulting from practically the 

 same causes and treated in the same way. Damp, cold stables are always 

 likely to develop rheumatism in not only the animal, but also the attendants. 

 It is usually felt in the joints and is a condition which can be considered as 

 one in which the joint fluid is affected. Plenty of exercise, good food and 

 treatment, applications of good liniments to the swollen parts are recom- 

 mended. 



Ringbone. 



Often when a young horse is being trained, a slight bruise may be made 

 near the coronet of the hoof, before the permanent hardening or development 

 of the foot takes place. Much later, a ringlike or bulging surface can be 

 seen. There are high, middle or low ringbones. Interfering while traveling 

 causes many. Short, upright pastern joints are often affected. 



Symptoms. Lameness is the first symptom and there is some heat in 

 the ankle. In traveling, the heel is placed on the ground first. If the ring- 

 bone interferes with the joints or tendons it may cause permanent lameness. 



Treatment. At the beginning, cold applications may stop the disease. 

 Strong blisters may be applied. Firing is often successful. If in lower 

 joints a cure is doubtful. Proper shoeing may help. No animal with ring- 

 bone should be bred as some consider the disease a hereditary one. 



Roaring. 



Usually the left side of the larynx is affected by some object obstructing 

 the breathing apparatus of the horse. Well established cases cause the roar- 

 ing noise when drawing air into the lungs. A paralysis of the muscles is 

 caused by some derangement of the two nerves which supply energy to either 

 side of the throat. Medical treatment is of no use in set cases. The inser- 

 tion by a veterinarian of a whistling tube gives about the best results in the 

 more serious cases. 



