THE EQUINE HOSPITAL FORMULARY. 155 



Strangles. 



This is a specific febrile disorder, in which there are 

 accumulations of pus in the connective tissue of the sub- 

 maxillary region and neighbouring glands, and inflamma- 

 tion of the air-passages. 



The infected animals should be isolated, and the con- 

 taminated stables disinfected with burning sulphur or 

 iodine on coals, or by disengaging chlorine gas. The 

 diseased animals should be placed in moderately warm 

 and well-ventilated loose-boxes. The diet should be 

 laxative, and consist of mashes, linseed gruel, roots, and 

 grass. The following draught may be given : 



Solution of acetate of ammonium, four fluid ounces. 

 Spirit of nitrous ether, one fluid ounce. 

 Bicarbonate of potassium, four drachms. 

 Water to one pint. 



If there are severe throat-symptoms, allow the horse to 

 breathe the vapour of hot water to which oil of eucalyptus 

 or carbolic acid has been added. Animoniacal liniments, or 

 even a cantharides blister, may have to be applied to the 

 throat. Fresh hot poultices, renewed every hour, are very 

 useful. In cases of strangulation it is necessary to make an 

 incision into the trachea at the junction of the upper and 

 middle thirds, insert a tracheotomy tube, and fix it with a 

 tape. When an abscess is being formed, blisters or 

 poultices should be applied. After being opened, the 

 abscesses must be kept clean with suitable antiseptics — e.g., 

 carbolic acid, 1 in 25 of water, and in the case of malignant 

 strangles antiseptic medicines, such as the salicylate or the 

 sulphite of sodium, coupled with stimulants, are of great 

 value. 



