STRANGLES. 67 



than the opposite change. Some writers have likened it 

 to scrofula, but I have no faith in any such theory. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of strangles, in an early stage 

 of the disease, are frequently somewhat similar to those of 

 catarrh. Sometimes for days or weeks before the acute 

 symptoms of the disease are manifested, the animal appears 

 dull, languid, and weak, perspires on very slight exertion, 

 is easily fatigued, and the appetite is impaired. If an 

 animal three or four years old presents the above symptoms, 

 it is frequently said that he is ' breeding strangles,' and no 

 doubt he is. The first decided symptom is that of difficult 

 deglutition, and an elevation of temperature takes place. 

 The head is kept in a stiff position, and on attempting to 

 turn him, it is seen that he moves around with difficulty. 

 The pulse is usually weak, coat staring, bowels constipated, 

 and the faeces covered with mucus. Salivary secretion is 

 largely increased. A careful examination should be made, 

 as an increased flow of saliva may be induced by the 

 presence of a foreign body in the mouth, carious teeth, etc. 

 Similar symptoms are observed in laryngitis, but soon in 

 strangles there is observed the formation of a tumour in the 

 sub-maxillary space. The tumour is at first hard, but 

 enlarges, becomes soft, and finally bursts, or has to be 

 opened to prevent its bursting on the inside. The febrile 

 symptoms are so mild in some cases as to escape observa- 

 tion, and in such cases the formation of the tumour is the 

 first symptom noticed ; in other cases the abscess or 

 tumour may possibly attain the size of the closed hand, 

 and at the same time not affect the horse at all, so far as 

 deglutition is concerned. Another symptom sometimes 

 occurring is a discharge from the nostrils. Strangles, like 

 all fevers, runs a certain course, its duration being from 

 eight to ten days, and in twenty days the animal is usually 

 fit to be put to work. In a horse that has been, or is, a 



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