46 EUEEAU OF A^^IMAL IXDUSTRY. 



irritated, but no longer; chlorate of potash ma}- be given in quantities 

 of 2 drams four times daily, mixed with flaxseed meal or liquorice- 

 root powder and honey, as an electuar3\ Soft foods should be given, 

 and fresh water should be constantly before the horse. 



Paralysis of the pharynx, or, as it is commonh' called, "paralysis 

 of the throat," is a rare but very serious disease. The symptoms are 

 as follows: The horse will constantl}' try to eat or drink, but will be 

 unab'le to do so; if water be offered him from a pail he will apparently 

 drink with avidity, but the quantit}' of water in the pail will remain 

 about the same; he will continue trying to drink by the hour; if he 

 can succeed in getting any fluid into the back part of the mouth it 

 will come out at once through the nose. Foods also return through 

 the nose, or are dropped from the mouth, quidded. An examination 

 of the mouth by inserting the hand fails to find any obstruction or any 

 abnormal condition. These cases go on from bad to worse; the horse 

 constantly and rapidly loses in condition, becomes verj^ much emaciated, 

 the eyes are hollow and lusterless, and death occurs from inanition. 



Treatmeyit is very unsatisfactory. A severe blister should be applied 

 behind and under the jaw; the mouth is to be frequently swabbed out 

 with alum or chlorate of potash, 1 ounce to a pint of water, by means 

 of a sponge fastened to the end of a stick. Str^^chnia may be given 

 in 1-grain doses two or three times a day. 



This disease may be mistaken at times for foreign bodies in the 

 mouth or for the so-called cerebro-spinal meningitis. It is to be dis- 

 tinguished from the former, upon a careful examination of the mouth, 

 by the absence of any offending body and l)}- the flabl)y feel of the 

 mouth; and from the latter by the animal appearing in perfect health 

 in every j)articular except this inability to eat or drink. 



Abscesses. — Abscesses sometimes form back of the pharynx and 

 give rise to symptoms resembling those of larj^ngitis or distemper. 

 Interference with breathing that is of recent origin and progression, 

 without any observable swelling or soreness about the throat, will make 

 one suspect the formation of an abscess in this location. But little 

 can be done by the owner in the way of treatment, save to hurry the 

 ripening of the abscess and its discharge, b}'^ steaming with hops, ha}', 

 or similar substances and by poulticing the throat. The operation for 

 opening an abscess in this region necessitates an intimate knowledge 

 of the comjjlex anatomy of the throat region. 



DISEASES OF THE ESOrHAGUS, OR GULLET. 



It is rare to find diseases of this organ, except as a result of the 

 introduction of foreign bodies too large to pass or to the exhibition of 

 irritating medicines. Great care should be taken in the administration 

 of irritant or caustic medicines that they be thoroughly diluted. If 

 this is not done erosions and ulcerations of the throat ensue, and this 



