DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 221 



g-iven at once. This is best given in a ball form; if, however, the ani- 

 mal is greatl}^ excited by the attempt or can not swallow, the ball may 

 be dissolved in two omices of olive oil and thrown on the back of the 

 tongue with a syringe. If the jaws are set, or nearly so, an attempt 

 to administer medicine b}^ the mouth should not be made. In such 

 cases one-quarter of a grain of atropia, with 5 grains of sulphate of 

 morphia, should be dissolved in 1 dram of pure water and injected 

 under the skin. This should be repeated sufficientl}^ often to keep the 

 animal continuallj^ under its effect. This will usually mitigate the 

 severit}^ of the spasmodic contraction of the affected muscles and 

 lessen sensibilitj^ to pain. Good results may be obtained sometimes 

 by the injection per rectum of the fluid extract of belladonna and of 

 cannabis indica, of each 1 dram, every four or six hours. This may 

 be diluted with a quart of milk. When the animal is unable to swal- 

 low liquids, oat-meal gruel and milk should be given by injection per 

 rectum to sustain the strength of the animal. A pailful of cool water 

 should be constantly before him, placed high enough for him to reach 

 it without special effort; even if he can not drink, the laving of the 

 mouth is refreshing. Excellent success frequentl}^ may be obtained 

 by clothing- the upper part of the head, the neck, and greater part of 

 the body in woolen blankets kept saturated with ver}' warm water. 

 This treatment should be continued for six or eight hours at a time. 

 It often relaxes the cramped muscles and gives them rest and the ani- 

 mal almost entire freedom from pain; but it should be used every day 

 until the acute spasms have permanently subsided in order to be of 

 an}^ lasting beneHt. 



llecently subcutaneous injections of brain emulsion have been rec- 

 ommended. It is thought that the tetanus toxin will attach itself to 

 the brain cells so injected and thus free the system of this poison. 

 When it is due to a wound, the wound should be thoroughly cleaned 

 and disinfected with carbolic acid. If from a wound which has healed, 

 an excision of the cicatrix may be beneficial. In all cases it is not 

 uncommon to have a partial recovery followed b}' relapse when tlie 

 animal becomes excited from any cause. 



RABIES, HYDROPHOBIA, OR MADNKSS. 



This disease does not arise spontaneously among horses, but is the 

 result of a bite from a rabid animal — generally a dog or cat. The 

 development of the disease follows the bite in from three weeks to 

 three months — very rarely in two weeks. 



Symjytoms. — The first manifestation of the development of this dis- 

 ease may be an increased excitability and viciousness; very slight 

 noises or the approach of a person incites the animal to kick, strike, 

 or bite at any object near him. Very often the horse will bite his own 

 limbs or sides, lacerating the flesh and tearing the skin. The eyes 



