458 STRANGLES. 



flanks, with oppressed pulse, are present. In most in- 

 stances the pulse is somewhat hurried. 



Treatment. — When the inflammatory symptoms are con- 

 siderable, treat gently ; nurse rather than physic, and on no 

 account be tempted under any circumstances to extract 

 blood. The entire strength is required to cast oflp the 

 disease, and the animal can ill afford to part with the 

 smallest portion of its vital energy. No matter what the 

 pulse may suggest, in strangles it is a rule never to bleed. 

 Put a hood upon the horse, and fasten a nose-bag on to his 

 head, and in the bottom of it place a scalding hot bran 

 mash, the steam from which he may inhale. Put the 

 animal in a well ventilated loose box, and rub a blister 

 under his jaws ; and if the breathing should be bad, carry 

 the bhster down the length of the windpipe. Then take an 

 eight-tailed bandage, which is nothing more than a piece of 

 strong canvas, of sufficient length and requisite breadth, 

 with three slits torn a short way at each end, so as to leave 

 four strings at both extremities. The day after the applica- 

 tion of the blister place some hot mash in the centre of this 

 bandage, and tie the canvas, by means of the ends, over 

 the horse's poll, so that the mash may rest against the 

 swelling on his throat. Give no physic, neither purgative, 

 sedative, or febrifuge. Let the animal take gentle exercise, 

 but not such as to distress him, daily. 



Should nasal gleet remain, after the more urgent symp- 

 toms have subsided, feed liberally, and give tonics. If these 

 do not arrest the symptoms in two or three weeks, open one 

 of the frontal sinuses without delay, and inject warm water, 

 for we may then conclude the membrane of the sinuses has 

 taken on the suppurative process, and the sooner this is 

 combated the better for our success. 



Bastard strangles are those in which the tumour, after 

 having come partly forward retires, or in which the abscess 

 bursts internally, and the pus becomes absorbed. This is a 

 very bad matter. The glands generally swell, more espe- 

 cially the lymphatic glands of the mesentery. The symp- 

 toms are, ragged and unthrifty appearance, with very 

 irregular bowels. The treatment must be tonic, with 

 alkalies, a very small portion of aloes, and simple bitters. 



