OR, HORSE DOCTOR. 53 



on the buttocks, break, and discharge matter for a few days, 

 and then dry up, after which others appear in a fresh place 

 in the same manner. I have known horses that have had 

 this complaint eight or ten weeks. The common kind be- 

 gins with a swelling between the jaw-bones, which some- 

 times extends to the muscles of the tongue, and is often 

 att^inded ^ith so much heat, pain and inflammation, that be- 

 fore the matter is formed the creature swallows with the 

 utmost difficulty. 



Symptoms. — The Strangles is attended with great heat and 

 fever, a painful cough, and great inclination to drink, with- 

 out being able. Some horses lose their appetites entirely, 

 and others eat but very little, occasioned by the pain re- 

 sulting from the motion of the jaws in chewing and svral- 

 lowing. When the horse runs much at the nose, it is not a 

 good sign. Although this disease is very troublesome, it is 

 not dangerous, except when the swelling turns upwards 

 against the wind-pipe and gullet, and then there is danger 

 of sulfocation if it do not break soon. 



Cuke. — The Strangles is not properly a disease, but a dis- 

 charge common to young horses, and therefore it follows that 

 the discharge must be promot<;d in order to throw off the 

 offensive matter. The best method of doing this is to keep 

 the swelling always soft by soaking it with softening oint- 

 ment, such as marshmallows, or elder ointment. I have 

 known oil of swallows, with a little spirit of hartshorn in it, 

 to be very useful in bringing the swelling forward and caus- 

 ing it to break. A cloth in the form of a cap, put on the 

 horse's head, and stuffed with wool to keep the swelling 

 warm, "^all be of great service. Some people apply a poul- 

 tice, but there is no need of this if the above be properly 

 used. Give plenty of Avarm water, with a little meal on it ; 

 for in this disorder a horse can not swallow dry food enough 

 for its support. When they gather and break, see that the 

 matter runs freely ; if not, open them with the point of a 

 sharp knife. It will be five or six days before they break. 



Wlien the swelliug is broken, and the orifice of a proper 

 size to discharge the matter, dress with the following oint- 

 ment spread on tow : 



Take 1 pound of Yellow Resin. 



1 poTind of Burgimdy Pitch. 

 ^ pound of Honey. 

 ^ pound of Common Turpentine. 

 1^ pounds of Hog's Lard. 

 4 oujiccs of Beeswax. 

 1 ounce of Verdiyins, finely powdered. 



Melt the ingredients together, but do not put the Verdi- 



