DISEASES OF THE HOKSE. 447 



This affection may attack a wound on any part of the horse's body, 

 while apart from wounds it is most frequent about the head and the 

 hind limbs. It is to be distinguished from ordinary intlammations 

 by its gradual extension from the point first attacked, b}- the abun- 

 dant liquid exudation into the affected part, by the tension of the skin 

 over the affected part, by its soft boggy feeling, allowing it to be 

 deeply indented by the linger, by the abrupt line of limitation betwieen 

 the diseased and healthy skin, the former descending suddenly to the 

 healthy level instead of shading off slowly toward it, by the tendency 

 of the inflammation to extend deeply into the subjacent tissues and 

 into the muscles and other structures, b}'- the great tendency to death 

 and sloughing of portions of skin and of the structures beneath, by 

 the formation of pus at various different points throughout the 

 diseased parts without an}' surrounding sac to protect the surround- 

 ing structures from its destructive action, and without the usual dis- 

 position of pus to advance harmlessly toward the surface and escape; 

 and, tinalh', by a low prostrating type of fever, with elevated tem- 

 perature of the body, coated tongue, excited breathing, and loss of 

 appetite. The pus when escaping through a lancet wound is grayish, 

 brownish, or reddish, with a heav}' or fetid odor, and intermixed with 

 shreds of broken-down tissues. The most destructive form, however, 

 is that in which pus is deficient and gangrene and sloughing more 

 speedy and extensive. 



Treatment resolves itself mainh' into the elimination from the system 

 of the poisonous products of the bacteria by laxatives and diuretics, 

 the sustaining of the failing vitality by tonics and stimulants, above 

 all those of the nature of antiferments, and the local application of 

 astringent and antiseptic agents. Internal treatment ma}^ consist in 4 

 drams tincture of muriate of iron and one-half dram muriate of 

 ammonia or chlorate of potash, given in a pint of water every two 

 hours. To this maj^ be added, liberall}-, whisk}^ or Ijrand}- when the 

 prostration is very marked. Locally a strong solution of iron, alum, 

 or of sulphate of iron and laudanum ma}^ be used; or the affected part 

 ma}' be painted with tincture of muriate of iron or with iodized phenol. 

 In mild cases a lotion of 4 drams sugar of lead and 2 ounces laudanum 

 in a quart of water may be applied. It is desirable to avoid the for- 

 mation of wounds and the consequent septic action, yet when pus has 

 formed and is felt by fluctuation under the finger to be approaching 

 the surface it should ])e freely opened with a clean, sharp lancet, and 

 the wound thereafter disinfected dail}' with carbolic acid 1 part to 

 water 10 parts, with a saturated solution of hyposulphite of soda, or 

 with powders of iodoform or salol. 



HORSEi'OX, ANTHR^VX, AND CUTANEOUS GLANDERS (fARCY). 



These subjects will come more properly under the head of conta- 

 gious diseases. 



