DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE 



23:: 



the time they are foals until they are five or six years old are 

 more generally attacked by it, but it may occur in older 

 horses. 



Causes. — It is due to a germ in the blood, all colts being 

 liable to be affected by it. The germ floats about in the air 

 and is taken into the system when breathing. It appears 

 more frequently in the spring and fall. 



Symptoms. — There is a dull, languid appearance and 

 fatigue following slight exertion. These earlier symptoms are 

 probably accompanied by a cough and sore throat. Saliva 

 runs from the mouth. The manure is dry looking or indi- 



Strangles — The Position of Swelling. 



eating costiveness. A lump soon appears, sometimes under, 

 sometimes at the sides of the throat. This lump continues to 

 gradually develop until there is difficulty in breathing. The 

 dullness increases, the head hangs lower and there is notice- 

 able gauntness. 



Distemper usually runs its course in from six to twelve 

 days, during which time the lump or abscess is likely to 

 break, accompanied by a discharge from the nose — a good 

 sign. Sometimes more than one abscess forms and it is a 

 good plan to strive to promote their development until such 

 time as they come to a head and discharge, thus providing a 

 means for the poison to escape from the system. 



Treatment. — Treatment is very satisfactory in most 

 cases. Always allow the disease to run its course, give plenty 

 of pure air, clothe the body according to the season of the 



