2og 



in the bottom of a bucket, pouring boiling water on it, and holding the 

 animal's head over the bucket for twenty minutes, doing it four or 

 five times a day, has an excellent and soothing effect. The nostrils 

 at the same time should be washed with " sanitas " or vinegar and 

 warm water. The inhalation and washing above noted are also to 

 be highly recommended in cases of catarrh and bronchitis. (For 

 this purpose, never put tlie head inio a nose hag). Nitrate, or chlorate of 

 potash, in 2 to 3 drachm doses, given in bran mashes, or in cold water 

 night and morning; with linseed jelly and milk, or hay tea to 

 drink, can be recommended. Electuaries, composed of extract of 

 belladonna, powdered chlorate of potash, and honey are sometimes 

 used. A small piece of this is put mto the horse's mouth three or 

 four times a day, but I do not subscribe to this treatment, as it retards 

 recovery and prevents the patient feeding. Should the case assume a 

 serious aspect, by the internal parts becoming congested and swollen, 

 with danger of suffocation, and the animal makes a roaring noise, 

 then tracheotomy must be performed. This is done by cutting into the 

 windpipe, and inserting a tube through which the animal can breathe, 

 independently of the nostrils (Plate LI., No. 7). The operation is easily 

 performed, and should not be delayed too long, as, when the horse is 

 much oppressed in getting" breath, some of the fluid which it attempts to 

 drink may pass down into the lungs, and produce congestion, while, 

 when the tube is in, any fluid which may trickle down the windpipe 

 comes out at the tube. I have frequentl}- seen this. In all cases of 

 throat affections, strange as it may seem, the horse is much fonder of 

 dry than of soft food or fluids. Should the bowels be very costive, 

 they can be regulated b}' giving, night and morning, from i|- to 2 oz. 

 of Epsom salts in a mash, with a little treacle. A good-sized piece of 

 lump rock salt should be placed in the manger for the patient to lick, 

 and also a good bunch of gorse (whins) hung up in the box for the 

 horse to pick. 



498. Strangles, technically called fehra pyogenica, is a febrile sup- 

 purative disease, most commonly seen in young horses, particularly 

 at the age of two to three years. It may be of a simple or complicated 

 nature ; in the latter case it is termed irregular, or bastard strangles, 

 p 



