538 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



CATARRH, OR COLD 



Catarrh may be considered under two points of view ; either as an 

 inflammation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities, accompanied by 

 slight general fever ; or as an ephemeral fever of three or four days' dura- 

 tion, complicated with this condition of the nose. The latter is, perhaps, 

 the more scientific definition, but for common purposes it is more convenient 

 to consider it as mainly consisting in the most prominent symptom. There 

 is invariably some degree of feverishness, sometimes very considerable, at 

 others so slight as to be easily passed over. Usually the pulse is accelerated 

 to about forty or fifty, the appetite is impaired, and there is often sore 

 throat, with more or less cough. On examining the interior of the nostrils, 

 they are more red than natural, at first dry and swollen, then bedewed 

 with a watery discharge which soon becomes yellow, thick, and, in bad 

 cases, purulent. The eyes are generally involved, their conjuctival coat 

 being injected with blood, and often some slight weeping takes place, but 

 there is always an expression of sleepiness or dulness, partly owing to the 

 local condition of the organ, and partly to the general impairment of the 

 health. 



Causes. — Chills from exposure to draught or sudden alternations of 

 temperature, as from a hot stable to a cold one, or vice-versd. Horses 

 more often suffer from catarrhal fever when brought in from a cold pure air 

 to the vitiated atmosphere of the stable than when turned out to grass 

 without proper preparation. 



Treatment. — Consists in good nursing while combating special symptoms, 

 these varying in individuals as well as in type in different years. 



If sore throat is a prominent symptom, countei'-irritation should be 

 resorted to. Few things answer better than mustard mixed as for the 

 table and rubbed over the affected part. Ammonia and soap liniment 

 have an advantage over mustard, inasmuch as the application may be 

 repeated at short intervals, but as a rule one moderate vesication with 

 mustard is all that is necessary. Constipation being common, with increased 

 internal temperature, a saline aperient or small dose of linseed oil may be 

 given, but on no account aloes. The inhalation of Friar's Balsam upon 

 scalded bran suspended by a nosebag is calculated to give relief where the 

 discharge is thick and got rid of with difliculty. 



The food should be moistened and of a laxative character ; cut grass and 

 vetches in summer ; carrots, scalded chaff and corn with linseed tea, etc., 

 when green food is not obtainable. The extremities should be kept warm 

 by bandaging and the body clothed, pure but not necessarily warm air 

 being desirable. 



An apparently simple cold may at any time lead to more serious 

 disorders, as pneumonia or bronchitis, and upon the exhibition of any 

 symptom the horseman does not understand he should call in the veterinary 

 surfjeon ere it is too late. 



