lo EXPLANATION OF CHARTS AND ADDITIONAL HINTS. 



CHAPTER 1. 



Explanation of Charts and Additional Hints* 



^yUE most common disenecs of tlic horse 

 ^1 have been divided into ten groups, 

 ^"^ nine of wliich have more or less 

 separate and distinguishing symp- 

 toms. 'J'iie tenth group is composed of those 

 external diseases, cjf which the symptoms are 

 for the most part evident on sight. In each 

 group the general causes, symptoms, and 

 treatment are given, followed in parallel 

 columns with the specified diseases of each 

 group with their special causes, symptoms 

 and treatment. 



The general causes and symptoms of the 

 diseases of the horse are given in the first and 

 second columns respectively, and are so 

 arranged that the reader will, by a few 

 minutes' reference, be able lo determine the 

 group of diseases fr. mi which ihe animal i'^ 

 suffering. 



In the third Cdlumn will be found the 

 general treatment for each group. In the 

 fourth column, the various special diseases 

 belonging to each group appear, and three 

 further parallel columns, viz., the fifth, sixth, 

 and seventh give the specific causes, symptoms 

 and treatment, of each of such special 

 diseases. 



The svmptoms are concisely and plainly 

 stated, and as far as possible without using 

 technical terms. Since confusion may be 

 caused bv the repetition of such symptoms 

 as are common to most diseases, such 

 are consequently for the most part omitted. 

 The general treatment advised for each group 

 of diseases, will, in many cases, suflnce. 

 The determination of the special disease of the 

 group, with the specific treatment for such, 

 is intended to be auxiliarv lo the general 

 treatment. A\'hile better results will be 

 obtained if the special diagnosis be made and 

 the special treatment followed, in many of 

 the simpler cases it will n(jt be absolutely 

 essential that this exact determination should 

 be arrived at, providing the general treat- 

 ment be carried out. More precision will be 

 gained bv continued practical experience. 



In the treatment columns, reference is mad(^ 

 to medicines which should be used, and for 

 the most part these are embodied in a series 

 of prescriptions, which are attached, but 



on the charts are referred to by numbers 

 only. All these prescriptions are written in 

 plain English, and can be compounded by 

 the chemist, and the medicines recom- 

 mended can be obtained at any reputable 

 drug store. No reference is made to pro- 

 prietary or patent medicines, nt:r do any 

 of the prescriptit)ns refer to difficult (!r 

 secret methods of preparati'.m, nor to 

 private recipes, nor to drugs that are not in 

 general use. Indeed the prescriptions given 

 contain either the same or equally as gx^oel 

 properties as are contained in the best 

 patent or secret remedies now on the market. 

 Some few of the compounds are identical 

 w ith widelv advertised remedies, but are here- 

 in onlv recommended for such s]iecial use as 

 the\- are good for. 



Tlie two other columns referring to the 

 causes of disease, both general and special, 

 will frequently aid in diagnosis, and in all 

 cases contain information serviceable as a 

 help towards a prevention of the disease in 

 future. 



The prescriptions which are appended are, 

 as abo^e stated, mentioned by number in the 

 treatment columns. 



In ordi'r to determine the disease a horse is 

 suflering from, Ihe reader will first look down 

 the column headed dcncral Symptoms, and 

 determine the group of diseases indicated. In 

 most simple cases, the General Treatment 

 will be all that is required to effect a cure, 

 especially in the groups devoted to abdominal 

 and chest diseases; antl in most cases the 

 General Treatment should be at once carried 

 out. By further reference, however, to the 

 Special Symptoms, the special disease of the 

 group can be readily determined, and when 

 this has been done, the Special Treatment 

 recommended should be added to, or sub- 

 stituted for, the General Treatment, as 

 appears in Ihe instructions. 



Money and troulii(^ will be sa\'ed b^• heed- 

 ing the following suggestions and rules. 



Shoulder lameness is comparativelv rare. 



Half the cases of lameness in front are in 

 the feet, or adjoining structures, and more 

 than three-fourlhs of those behind are in the 

 hock. In all cases of lameness in front, have 



