208 



496. Laryngitis, or Inflammation of the Larynx, commonly 

 called sore throat, may result from an injury, neglected catarrh, or a 

 chill, from the animal being exposed to draughts when heated, from 

 the irritating effect of smoke from burning buildings, or from chemical 

 fumes. It may, or may not, be accompanied by any constitutional 

 disturbance. When simple, the application of a mild, stimulating 

 embrocation (see Appendix), or of mustard, mixed with cold water to 

 the consistency of thin cream, and rubbed round the throat, along with 

 soft food and good nursing, as recommended for catarrh [par. 490), will 

 generally set the matter right in a few days ; but if the attack be acute, 

 it may prove very dangerous, and end in the horse becoming a roarer. 

 Symptoms : At the commencement the animal is dull and wear}^ 

 hanging first on one leg, and then on another ; the nose is poked out, 

 the coat is on end, the temperature is elevated from 103° to 106°, the 

 mouth is hot and there is frothing round the lips, the eyelids are 

 partly closed, the visible mucous membranes are congested, the 

 breathing is quickened and accompanied by a noise as the air passes 

 over the inflamed surface, and there is a sore, frightened cough ; pain 

 is evinced when the throat is pressed, and there seems great difficulty 

 in swallowing even small quantities of water, or other fluid, a portion 

 of these coming back through the nostrils in the act of drinking. 

 Treatment : Immediately the animal is noticed to be thus affected, it 

 should be put into a good roomy loose box, the body well clothed, the 

 legs bandaged, and a mild cantharides liniment applied to the throat 

 (see Appendix). I have, for years, tried all kinds of methods of applying 

 a poultice, but never could fix one to my satisfaction. Its weight 

 distresses the animal, and there is great difficulty in getting it to keep 

 close enough to the throat. The best plan, then, is to apply a smart 

 stimulant. 



497. In all throat affections, it is dangerous to give draughts ; yet, 

 if 8 to 10 ounces of linseed oil, with i to i^ ounces of spirits of nitre 

 can be administered at the start, good effects may result, but if there 

 is any difficulty in swallowing, do not attempt to drench the animal. 

 Steaming the nostrils, by putting a dessert-spoonful of carbolic acid, 

 turpentine, or eucalyptus oil (the latter for preference) on a sop of hay 



