STRANGLES.] 



THE HOESE, AND 



[STEAKGLES. 



Take a small stick, with some linen or tow tied 

 to the end of it, and apply this as often as 

 above directed. As all persons do not know 

 the meaning of burnt alum, make it thus. 

 Buy an ounce of common alum, put it in tlie 

 fire-shovel, and set it on the fire, when the 

 heat will evaporate the watery matter from the 

 alum, leaving that which is burned, and which 

 is technically called alumen ustum. 



STRANGLES. 



The apparent sensation of suffocation is the 

 probable origin of the name of this disease, 

 with which many horses are, at some period of 

 their lives afflicted. Although subject to it 

 at all times of life, the periods of attack are 

 mostly when they are rising three or four 

 years old. Horses, at that time of life, are 

 generally taken in from grass, though colts at 

 grass frequently become affected ; but animals 

 removed from grass to a warm stable, are much 

 more liable to tscke the disease, which would 

 lead to the inference that it is the heated atmo- 

 sphere, combined with the stench of the dung 

 and urine, which produces inflammation and 

 suppuration of the submaxillary glands. 



This is brought on, nine times out of ten, 

 when the horse is brought into the stable, 

 either to be broken into saddle or harness. In 

 those cases where it takes place out of doors, 

 poverty is the principal cause, producing ex- 

 treme debility, and, most frequently, horses so 

 attacked, and in so weak a state, generally, or 

 at least most frequently, become victims to the 

 disorder, and not unfrequently are affected 

 with glanders. 



The first attack generally commences with 

 a dull sluggish heaviness and inactivity, the 

 horse becoming dispirited, losing his appetite, 

 having a hollow husky cough, occasioned by 

 the irritabdity of the inflamed glands, and sore 

 throat. To excite a degree of moisture in the 

 mouth, with tlie view of allaying this disagree- 

 able sensation, he is often picking his hay, but 

 eating little or none. A degree of sympto- 

 matic fever comes on, and a consequent clammi- 

 ness and thirst is perceptible ; but the animal 

 appears to have great difficulty in swallowing 

 water. As tlie disease advances, he becomes 

 proportionally languid and inattentive. Be- 

 tween the jaws there is an apparent swelling 

 of the glands, which is, at first, very hard, 

 222 



exceedingly painful, and visibly increasing. 

 He now swallows with great difficulty, heaves 

 at the flanks, and his whole appearance urges 

 the necessity of an immediate attempt to 

 relieve nature. 



For the treatment of this disease care must 

 be taken not to bleed the animal, unless the 

 febrile symptoms run very high, and then only 

 in small quantities, as would be done in catar- 

 rhal affections ; for the debility with which it 

 is accompanied will not allow much blood to 

 be taken from him. In almost any case, a 

 couple of quarts should not be exceeded, 

 unless there is much heaving at the flanks, 

 and the pulse is hard and quickened, and the 

 extremities cold. " Unless the symptoms of 

 fever are particularly severe," says Professor 

 Spooner, " and inflammation of the windpipe 

 and lungs is threatened, it is better to avoid 

 blood-letting ; and if employed, it should be 

 with moderation. The bowels should be mode- 

 rately relaxed, for which purpose two or three 

 drachms of aloes may be given in a ball; but 

 rarely, if ever, repeated. Two drachms of 

 nitre, and one of tartarised antimony, may be 

 given twice a day in a mash. He should avoid 

 drenching as much as possible, in consequence 

 of the soreness of the throat. A stimulating 

 liniment should be rubbed on the swelling, 

 and a warm linseed meal poultice applied and 

 changed twice a day." 



Use a nose-bag, frequently replenished with 

 hot water and bran, for the purpose of steam- 

 ing the nostrils, and promoting a discharge. 

 Should the tumours break inwardly, you will 

 find this of great service. The next thing to 

 be done is to promote the suppuration of the 

 swelling as quickly as possible ; but this must 

 not be attempted by poultices. These have a 

 tendency to do much more harm than good, 

 unless there is a man constantly in attendance, 

 for the moment the poultice becomes cold, it 

 acts as a repellent to the tumours, and ob- 

 viates what is wished to be produced. Take, 

 therefore, of 



Oil of Turpentine 

 OHve Oil . . 



3 oz. 

 3 do. 



Apply this liniment to the throat, and tumours 

 between the jaws, three times a day, having 

 first clipped oflf the hair close, to allow the 

 liniment to act quickly. Should this not pro- 



