590 THE DISEASES OF THE HORSE 



fever met with in tropical climates we have blundered upon a remedy that 

 undoubtedly cuts them short. Carbolic acid, salicine, arsenic, and other 

 drugs and salts have also a reputation in certain specific diseases. 



STABLE FEVER 



In all large towns, and particularly in old and crowded stables, there 

 appears to be an abiding fever germ which more or less affects new-comers 

 until they acquire immunity from it by one or more attacks. 



The Symjjtoms are loss of appetite, hurried breathing, quick pulse, 

 increased internal temperature with extremities alternately warm and cold. 



Treatment. — It may pass off without any, or develop a particular set of 

 symptoms, and no very definite rules can be here given. 



In hot climates malarial fever and relapsing fever are well known to 

 have a geographical distribution. 



INFLUENZA 



This is one of the specific fevers only too well known in the British 

 Islands, though appearing from time to time in different guises (see Chapter 

 XXVII., page 539). 



STRANGLES 



Tuis infani'ile disease is commonly contracted between the second and 

 fourth year of colthood, and varies in character in one season from that of 

 another, being apparently infectious among colts in ordinary years, but 

 from time to time it assumes a severe form and attacks horses of all ages. 

 Beginning with a febrile attack, inajipetence and the usual symptoms of 

 sore throat, it soon runs on to the formation of an abscess between the 

 branches of the lower jaw which in course of time breaks, discharges a 

 quantity of pus, and finally heals up if the colt does not succumb to 

 complications or starvation from inability to eat. 



Sijmptoms. — If at grass, the colt ceases to play and stands about with 

 an appearance of general depression, attempts to graze but soon relinquishes 

 the effort owing to the pain of holding his head down. When brought into 

 the stable the symptoms common to sore throat arc observed, tendei'ness 

 about the space under the Jaws, and more or less swelling of the glands 

 there situate. There is more or less fever as indicated by the thermometer. 



Treatment. — The disease must run its course, and if it were possible to 

 arrest it, the procedure would not be advisable. It is desirable to encourage 

 the formation of an abscess. With the undisciplined colt we have to con- 

 tent ourselves with one or two stimulating applications such as turpentine 

 and oil or ammonia liniment, but with horses properly broken, continuous 

 poulticing offers the best prospect of early suppuration, besides giving a 

 good deal of relief to the painful swelling. As soon as a soft place or 

 " point " is discovered, it may be opened with the lancet and the contents 



