158 FEVERS. 



general way^ the tumour continues to augment ; feeling firm 

 at first, but soon becoming soft ; afterwards fluctuating, and 

 finally pointing. It does not always suppurate and come to 

 a head externally. In some cases it appears to be carried 

 off through an internal revulsion, occasioned by a catarrhal 

 fiuXj which form of disease is called bastard strangles. Some- 

 times it disappears without discharge, the tumour becoming 

 spontaneously absorbed: an event that commonly happens 

 while the swelUng is small, and solid ; though it may happen 

 after matter is deposited. Respecting this — 



Absorption of the Tumour, there is a division among 

 professional men : some favouring the notion handed down 

 to us, viz., that, by bringing the abscess forward " something 

 obnoxious to the constitutions of young horses is discharged •" 

 while others apprehend that benefit is derived, though the 

 tumour be resolved. The former opinion is one which all 

 my observation and practice runs counter to. Indeed, I am 

 inclined to believe that many horses escape strangles alto- 

 gether. Even with those that undergo the disorder, local 

 abscess does not invariably occur ; nor do I consider it essen- 

 tial that it should. 



The Treatment of Strangles will be found to be an 

 affair of great simplicity. The nature of the constitutional 

 disorder by which the local affection is accompanied, we 

 know little about, farther than that it is best met by feeding 

 the animal liberally on soft meat, putting him in a cool, free- 

 ventilated box, and clothing him well. Avoid purgation, 

 the horse cannot bear it. Do not bleed : there is a debility 

 about the animal that strongly interdicts it. 



I have frequently observed that a blister applied to the 

 incipient or hard tumour of strangles, brings it forward ; 

 but if applied in a more advanced stage, when matter has 

 perhaps begun to be deposited, although there is no external 

 sign of it, the blister is more likely to repel, than promote 

 the maturity of the swelling ; and cons^equently, should the 

 object bcj in this stage, to promote suppuration, fomentations 

 and poultices must be employed. My plan of treatment 

 (since I have felt convinced of the desirableness of pro- 



