MISCELLANEOUS DISEASES. 73 



altered at all, is a little weaker than usual, (he appetite remains 

 normal as a rule, although at times the animal will have difficulty in 

 mastication. The temperature at first is normal, hut in a few days 

 it may have reached 102°, 103°, or 104°. 



Over the surface of the skin covering the swollen parts we find a 

 slight serous sweating, which, when it dries, gives the appearance of 

 an eruption of some cutaneous (skin i disease. If this is excessive we 

 may see irritated spots, followed by suppuration. This suppuration 

 may become excessive from the great distention and loss of vitality 

 of the skin. 



During the course of this disease colics may sometimes occur; 

 later the pulse may beat 60 to 80 times per minute; the dung is 

 ordinarily coated. 



High temperatures indicate complications. 



The mortality is about 50 per cent. 



Treatment. -Place the patient in a clean, well-ventilated, roomy 

 box stall, andtie the head up high; in case the head is already swollen, 

 remove the halter at once and use a head sling, [f necessary to blanket 

 never use the surcingle. Give soft food, clean hay, and green fodder. 

 if possible, and plenty of fresh pure water to drink. 



When the legs and parts of the bod}' are covered by the dried 

 serum the surface must be softened by the application of cosmoline 

 or olive oil, to which may be added a small amount of creolin (1 to 51 ) ) 

 or of carbolic acid (1 to 25). 



If sloughing has taken place, the sores must receive surgical atten- 

 tion; dead tissue must be removed and antiseptics applied. 



If the animal has great difficulty in breathing, we must resort to the 

 use of the tracheotomy tube. 



Try to sustain the strength of the animal and give tonics to increase 

 the appetite: Tincture of chloride of iron 1 to 2 ounces in a pint of 

 water, or iron sulphate 2 drams, quinine 1 dram: either dose three 

 times daily. 



Spirits of turpentine, 3 ounces, in ounces of linseed oil, given 

 twice daily, will have a beneficial effect by stimulating the heart and 

 kidneys. Sponge the head, where swollen, with either ice-cold or 

 very warm water: repeat this several times daily. 



AZOTURIA. 



Azoturia is the result of the confinement of a strong, vigorous horse 

 for several days in a badly ventilated, damp stable, where he receives 

 full rations and no exercise, followed by sudden exposure to a lower 

 temperature. It is not a disease of the kidneys, as is commonly 

 supposed. 



