138 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



Treatment. If the tumor is well opened and the matter 

 squeezed out, nature will perform a cure. If the opening is made 

 from the outside through the skin, it should be at the most de- 

 pendent part, but much the best way to open the tumor is from the 

 inside. Quiet the animal, gently insert your finger up in the direc- 

 tion of the tumor, and you will soon discover that it is much larger 

 inside than it appears to be on the outside. If necessary put a 

 twitch on the ear of the horse to quiet him ; run the index finger of 

 your left hand against the tumor; now, with the right hand, care- 

 fully insert the knife by running the back of the blade along the 

 index finger of the left hand until the tumor is reached; with the 

 left index finger guide the point of the blade quickly and surely 

 into the tumor; make the opening large. A little blood may flow 

 for a while, but it is of no consequence. Squeeze out the matter 

 and keep the part clean. 



COLD IN THE HEAD, OR NASAL CATARRH. 



Catarrh is an inflammation of a mucous membrane. It is 

 accompanied by excessive secretion. In nasal catarrh the inflam- 

 mation may extend from the membrane lining the nose to the 

 throat, and to the eyes. The causes are the general causes of respi- 

 ratory disease enumerated above. It is especially common in young 

 horses and in horses not acclimated. 



Symptoms. The membrane at the beginning of the attack is 

 dry, congested, and irritable; it is of a deeper hue than natural 

 pinkish red or red. Soon a watery discharge from the nostrils 

 makes its appearance; the eyes may also be more or less affected 

 and tears flow over the cheeks. The animal has some fever, which 

 may be easily detected by means of a thermometer inserted in the 

 rectum or, roughly, by placing the finger in the mouth, as the feel- 

 ing of the heat conveyed to the finger will be greater than natural. 



To become somewhat expert in ascertaining the changes of tem- 

 perature in the horse it is only necessary to place the finger often in 

 the mouths of horses known to be healthy. After you have become 

 accustomed to the warmth of the mouth of the healthy animal you 

 will have no difficulty in detecting a marked increase of the tem- 

 perature. The animal may be dull; he sneezes or snorts, but does 

 not cough unless the throat is affected; he expels the air forcibly 

 through his nostrils, very often in a manner that may be aptly 

 called blowing his nose. A few days after the attack begins the dis- 

 charge from the nostrils changes from a watery to that of a thick, 

 mucilaginous state, of a yellowish white color. Often the appetite 

 is lost and the animal becomes debilitated. 



Treatment. This disease is not serious but inasmuch as neg- 

 lect or bad treatment may cause it to lead to something worse or 

 become chronic, it should receive proper attention. The animal 

 should not be worked for a time. A few days of quiet rest, with 

 pure air and good food, will be of greater benefit than most medica- 

 tion. The value of pure air can not be overestimated, but drafts 

 must be avoided. The benefit derived from the inhalation of steam 

 is considerable. This is effected by holding the horse's head over a. 



