STRANGLES. 45 



of this opinion, the local signs of the disease becoming developed, 

 and very often to a more severe extent than in the first form. 



od. The premonitory signs are those which have given tlie 

 name to the disease, namely, those simulating strangulation, with 

 great difficulty of respiration, accompanied by a loud trumpet- 

 like sound, emitted more especially during inspiration. This 

 sound may arise from spasm of the muscles that close the 

 glottis, namely, the crico-thyroideus, crico-arytenoideus lateralis, 

 thyro-arytenoideus, &c. ; or from an cedematous condition of it 

 (oedema glottidis). If from the first cause, the inspiratory sound 

 only is heard; but if from the second, both movements may 

 be accompanied by the roaring noise, the inspiratory to a greater 

 extent than the expiratory. 



The treatment of regular strangles is very simple, and con- 

 sists of fomentations and poultices to the part, to promote the 

 growth of the pus ; slight febrifuge medicines, as the nitrate of 

 potash, to modify any accompanying fever ; keeping the bowels 

 in order by laxative diet or very mild aperients, as oil, or the 

 sulphate of magnesia. If the tumour points and bursts spon- 

 taneously, it is advisable not to interfere with its course, either 

 by incision or external irritants; but if it is indolent, " seeming 

 to hang fire," as it were, it is good practice to ajjply a blister. 

 Some writers and teachers condemn this plan of treatment. I 

 feel quite sure that such are men of no experience, a blister 

 often acting like magic in promoting the suppurative action in 

 the tumour, or in dispersing it altogether without suppuration. 

 The best plan is to apply a good fiy blister, and a warm poul- 

 tice in about twenty-four hours afterwards. When the abscess 

 has burst, all that is necessary is to keep it clean, and to give 

 the animal good food, with tonics, the preparations of iron being 

 the best. After apparent recovery from strangles, care must 

 be taken not to expose the animal to any debilitating influence, 

 as work or cold, too soon, for secondary abscesses may form in 

 the internal organs. 



The second form of strangles— namely, that ushered in by a 

 lengthened period of unthriftiness — must be treated locally, in 

 the same manner as the first form; but the constitution will 

 require to be supported by good food and tonics before there 

 are any local manifestations. If the animal is at grass, it must 

 be taken up and protected from the vicissitudes of the weather 



