LEGS OP THE HORSE, THEIR ACCmENTS AND DISEASES. 349 



Causes. — Very severe exertion, especially if prolonged to any great 

 extent ; the muscles become fatigued, and the nerves in them exhausted ; 

 then if the horse is forced to continue working, cramp is very apt to 

 take place. It is sometimes seen in cases where horses are being made 

 to swim ; cramps seize these muscles and render them for the time use- 

 less, being often the cause of drowning. 



How to know it. — The horse is going along apparently all right, ex- 

 cept that he is laboring from fatigue, when suddenly one or both thighs 

 cramp and draw all into knots ; a constriction will be seen in the hollow 

 of the thigh ; the point of the hock is drawn up, and the horse crouches 

 with his hind parts ; in fact he is drawn down and is utterly unable to 

 move. On account of the position the hind legs assume, the trouble is 

 often mistaken for dislocation of the stifle. When both legs are affected 

 the horse often falls in the most intense agony, being una])le to stand 

 longer. When only one leg is affected it is usually drawn upwards and 

 ])ack\vards ; he is unable to extend it. If left alone, the cramps may pass 

 off in the course of a few minutes, or they may last several hours. 



What to do. — Get hot water as quickly as possible, and apply it, bath- 

 ing the leg continuously till the muscles relax and the leg is let down, and 

 the horse walks as w^ell as ever. Then rub dry and rub well in liniment 

 No. 15, In the absence of that high wines, tincture of camphor, arnica, 

 hot vinegar, etc., are good. Give the patient a few days' rest. 



Leakage from Navel: — If a portion of the naval cord remains im- 

 mediately after birtb, the tying of it carefully may be all that is needed. 

 If this does not prove sufficient, apply Monsell's solution of iron with a 

 feather three times per day. Allay inflamation by fermenting with hot 

 water. Give internally one-fourth teaspoonful of Salol in a tablespoonful 

 of castor oil and a little milk three times per day. When these remedies 

 fail it will be necessary to pass a needle through the tissue back of the 

 opening containing a strong silk thread and tie so as to include as little 

 of the skin as possible. Apply tar water to keep flies away in summer. 



Sometimes rheumatism accompanies or follows such condition of the 

 colt. If so, see treatment for that under appropriate heading. Keep the 

 colt quiet and warm. Give more nourishment as it grows better. 



Navel Infection: — ^Thisis known by an inflamed or swollen condition 

 of the parts and may be the result of weakness in the breeding, the colt 

 falling an easy victim to filthy surroundmgs. Cleanliness and a prompt 

 disinfecting and tying of the cord should head off any trouble in that line. 



Wormy Corn Disease: — This ailment is designated in this way 

 for want of a better heading. It usually comes on with the advent of 

 a new crop of corn, the quality of which is inferior. The remedy is 

 obvious: Feed sound grain. The unsound usually rises to the surface 

 when thrown into water and may bo skimmed off. For pasturing stalks 

 see * 'Cornstalk Disease" in Cattle Department. 



Engorgement: — ^This usually happens when the horse fills his stom- 

 ach with grain, the swelling of which may cause death in a few hours. Give 

 a purgative— No. 48 — and follow with occasional doses of raw linseed oil . 

 Exercise him constantly until free passages are obtained. Allow no water. 



