DISEASES OF THE HOliSE. 515 



tion of an abscess in some part of tlie abdominal cavit}^, usually in the 

 mesenteiy. 



Pathology. — The lesions of strangles are found on the surface of the 

 mucous membranes, essential!}^ of the respirator}^ system and in the 

 loose connective tissue fibers of the internal organs and glands, and 

 consist of acute inflammator}^ changes, tending to the formation of 

 matter. The blood is unaltered, though it is rich in fibrin, and if the 

 animal has died of asphj'xia it is found dark colored and uncoagulatcd 

 when the body is first opened. If the animal has died while suifering 

 from high fever the ordinary alterations throughout the body, which 

 are produced by any fever not attended by alteration of blood, are 

 found. 



Treatment. — Ordinar}" light cases require but little treatment beyond 

 diet, warm washes, moistened hay, warm coverings, and protection 

 from exposure to cold. The latter is urgentl}^ called for, as lung com- 

 plications, severe bronchitis, and laryngitis are often the results of 

 neglect of this precaution. If the fever is excessive the horse may 

 receive small quantities of Glauber's salts (handful three times a day), 

 as a laxative, bicarbonate of soda or niter in 1-dram doses every few 

 hours, and small doses of antimon}', iodide of potash, aconite, or qui- 

 nine. Steaming the head with the vapor of warm water poured over 

 a bucket of bran and hay, in which belladonna leaves or tar have been 

 placed, will allay the inflammation of the mucous membranes and 

 greatl}' ease the cough. 



The swelling of the glands should be promptly treated by bathing 

 with warm water and flaxseed poultices, and as soon as there is any 

 evidence of the formation of matter it should be opened. Prompt 

 action in this will often save serious complications. Blisters and irri- 

 tating liniments should oiot be applied to the throat. When lung com- 

 plications show themselves the horse should have mustard applied to 

 the bell}' and to the sides of the chest. When convalescence begins 

 great care must be taken not to expose the animal to cold, which may 

 bring on relapses, and while exercise is of great advantage it must not 

 be turned into work until the animal has entirely regained its strength. 



The differentiation of the various diseases which have popularly 

 been included under the terms of distemper and influenza up to a com- 

 paratively recent date, has been so slow and so tardil}- accepted b}^ the 

 niajorit}' of practitioners that wc have been subjected to constantly 

 seeing announced and heralded as news iii the daily papers the appear- 

 ance of some new disease. These new diseases of the populace and of 

 the. empiric are to us but the epizootic outbreak or the more severely 

 manifested form of some ordinary contagious disease. 



There is, however, one of the contagious fevers of the horse which 



