234 STRANGLES. 



uTegularitics of tlie "wound, causes it to spread and deepen. Even wlien it 

 heals, the mouth of the duct being frequently closed, and the saliva con- 

 tinuing to be secreted by the submaxillary gland, it accumulates in the 

 duct, until that vessel bursts, and abscesses are formed which eat deeply 

 under the root of the tongue and long torment the poor animal. When, 

 after a great deal of trouble, they are closed, they are apt to break out 

 again for months and years afterwards. 



All that is necessary with regard to these paps or barbs is to abate 

 the inflammation or cold that caused them to appear, and they will very 

 soon and perfectly subside. He who talks of cutting them out is not tit 

 to be trusted with a horse. 



A third source of saliva is from glands under the tongue — the suh- 

 lincjual glands, which open by many Httle orifices, under the tongue 

 resembling little folds of the skin of the mouth, hanging from the lower 

 surface of this organ, or found on the bottom of the mouth. These like- 

 wise sometimes enlarge during catarrh or inflammation of the mouth, and 

 are called gigs, and bladders, and flaps in the mouth. They have the 

 appearance of small pimples, and the farrier is too apt to cut them away, 

 or burn them ofl". The better way is to let them alone — for in a few 

 days they will generally disappear. Should any ulceration remain, a little 

 tincture of myrrh, or a solution of alum, will readily heal them. 



Beside these three principal sources of saliva, there are small glands 

 to be found on every part of the mouth, cheeks, and lips, which pour out 

 a considerable quantity of fluid, to assist in moistening and preparing the 

 food. 



STRANGLES. 



This is a disease principally incident to young horses — usually ap- 

 pearing between the second and fourth year, and oftener in the spring 

 than in any other part of the year. It is preceded by cough, and can 

 at first scarcely be distinguished from common cough, except that there is 

 more discharge from the nostril, of a yellowish coloui', mixed with pus, 

 and generally without smell. There is likewise a considerable discharge 

 of ropy fluid from the mouth, and greater swelling than usual under the 

 throat. This swelling increases ivith uncertain rapidity, accompanied by 

 some fever, and disinclination to eat, partly arising from the fever, but 

 more from the pain which the animal feels in the act of mastication. There 

 is considerable thirst, but after a gulp or two the horse ceases to drink, yet 

 is evidently desii'ous of continuing his draught. In the attempt to swallow, 

 and sometimes when not drinking, a convulsive cough comes on, vs^hich 

 almost threatens to suffocate the animal — and thence, probably, the name ' 

 of the disease. 



The tumour is under the jaw, and about the centre of the channel. It 

 soon fills the whole of the space, and is evidently one uniform body, and 

 may thus be distinguished from glanders, or the enlarged glands of catarrh. 

 In a few days it becomes more prominent and soft, and evidently contains 

 a fluid. This rapidly increases ; the tumoui' bui"sts, and a great quantity 

 of pus is discharged. As soon as the tumour has broken, the cough sub- 

 sides, and the horse speedily mends, although some degree of weakness 

 may hang about him for a considerable time. Few horses, possibly none, 

 escape its attack ; but, the disease having passed over, the animal is free 

 from it for the remainder of his life. Catarrh may precede, or may pre- 

 dispose to, the attack, and, undoubtedly, the state of the atmosphere has 

 much to do with it, for both its prevalence and its severity are connected 

 with certain seasons of the year and changes of the weather. 



Messrs. Percivall and Castley have come the nearest to a satisfactoi'y 



