CHAPTER XIII. 



DISEASES OF THE EAR. 



1. Deafness. 



Deafness is difficult to detect in many cases, and if long 

 standing impossible to cure. 



Causes. — Horses subjected to a great deal of noise — 

 artillery horses, etc. — are more liable to develop deafness. It 

 may be the result of a diseased condition of the nerve of 

 hearing or the drum of the ear. 



Symptoms. — A deaf horse frequently appears to be stub- 

 born. Not being able to hear, he appears not to be capable of 

 obeying the word of command. 



Treatment. — Little can be done. Place a twitch on the 

 nose and pour a little sweet oil in the ear every day. This is 

 sometimes a help. 



2. Injuries or Cuts Around the Ear. 



If the skin or cartilage is torn, put a twitch on the 

 horse's nose and with a needle such as is used for sewing 

 skin cuts draw the wound together with stitches of carriage 

 trimmer's twine ; bathe well with warm water twice a day 

 and apply the white lotion until healed. 



3. Diseases of the Cartilage. 



Causes. — This disease is generally caused by an injury 

 of some kind. 



Symptoms. — It festers and breaks every month or so 

 where diseased. 



Treatment. — Place a twitch on the nose, or if inclined to 

 be ugly, cast him in the ordinary way. This gives a better 

 chance to operate with less risk to the horse. With a sharp 

 knife split the skin and tissues to expose the diseased cartil- 

 age. Scrape this out and burn the wound thus made with 

 caustic potash. This generally sets up a healthy action and 

 it soon heals. 



