INFLAMMATIONS.] 



THE HOESE, AND 



[INFLAMMATIONS'. 



though the strongest stimulants the whole list 

 of medicines could produce may be applied ; 

 for we have found that in wounds productive 

 of tetanus, there is an absolute want of this 

 inflammation, so necessary to the cure and 

 well-being of the patient. To obtain this in- 

 flammation, the best thing to do is to enlarge 

 the wound as much as may be convenient, and 

 insert a pledget of tow, dipped in warm oil of 

 turpentine. 



We have restored a horse from tetanus by 

 a strong solution of aloes, combined with 

 laudanum, as under : — 



. 3 oz. 

 . Ido. 



Give this mixture frequently ; say every three 

 hours. If the jaws are so closely set that it 

 cannot be given to the horse by the mouth, 

 have his head elevated by force, and pour the 

 mixture into a quart bottle ; then carefully 

 pour it down one of his nostrils ; which, after 

 a little time, he will not resist. When he has 

 bef^an to take the above without much di65- 

 culty, break a little of the cordial pectoral 

 ball with it. Continue this until you see a 

 change for the better; which will be known by 

 the jaws becoming loose, when a favourable ter- 

 mination to the disease may be expected. Give 

 clysters the whole of the time you are exhibit- 



Spirituous solution of Aloes 

 Laudanum .... 



ing tlie medicine. We have administered 

 prussic acid ; but never with any good effect. 

 We have also administered brandy, with the 

 cordial pectoral ball dissolved in it, with good 

 effect. In conclusion, we should never give 

 a case of tetanus up, until we have tried every 

 means possible. 



STRING-HALT. 



String-lmlt is an involuntary and convulsive 

 motion of the muscles, which either extend or 

 bend the hock ; principally considered in the 

 superficial muscles, or the facia lying on the 

 inside of the thigh, and causing the horse to 

 twitch up one or both his hind legs in a most 

 remarkable manner. Strains and blows are 

 the causes to which this disease is generally 

 attributed. We once were called to a horse 

 that had been cast into a ditch, and we were 

 obliged to employ ropes to extricate him. He 

 had struggled very hard whilst in the ditch, 

 but, when released, he had the aff"ectiou of 

 string-'halt in the leg that was underneath. A 

 cure is seldom effected. We have known soap 

 liniment, well rubbed on in the inside of the 

 thigh, to relieve the disease ; but never saw a 

 perfect cure. On some parts of the continent 

 it is considered a graceful movement when in 

 both legs. 



CHAPTER XXX. 



INFLAMMATION OP THE BRAI>f, OK MAD STAGGERS; INFLAMMATION OP THE STOMACH, OR STOMACH 

 STAGGERS; INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS; PULMONARY CONSUMPTION. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN, OR MAD 



STAGGERS. 



Mad Staggers is one of those diseases 

 which, happily, seldom aff'ects the horse ; and 

 it is fortunate for the poor animal that such is 

 the case, for the pain arising from it must bo 

 intolerable. This disease, like many otliers 

 has acquired various names, constituting, in 

 former practice, a variety of different diseases ; 

 though by the advancement in veterinary 

 Boience, they have all been nearly reduced 

 286 ' 



under two heads. These names were applied 

 to such disorders as principally affect the liead, 

 having their seat in the brain, or vessels lead- 

 ing thereto ; such as apoplexy, convulsions, 

 epilepsy, stag-evil, frenzy, or fever, &c., &c. 



Mad staggers, or inflammation of the brain, 

 may be defined as being a determination of 

 blood to the brain, causing considerable pres- 

 sure on that organ, as well as on the vessels 

 leading to it. How far the pretended accu- 

 racy, formerly distinguishing one of these 



