2IO 



The name strangles, no doubt, originates from the strangHng or 

 choking sensation, which must be caused by the abscesses formed 

 under the jaw, round the throat, and beneath the ears. It is mostly 

 seen during the spring months, or when young horses are newly 

 brought in from grass, and in the midst of their dentition. The 

 simple form may pass off very mildly, without much disturbance, the 

 small abscesses coming to a head, and bursting, with no bad results 

 following. Good nursing and ventilation are all that is necessary, 

 and these are very essential in every case. Soft mashes, green food, 

 carrots, or potatoes, may also be given with great advantage. If 

 necessary, a small dose of linseed oil — lo to 15 ounces — may be 

 administered, or one ounce doses of Epsom salts can be given in a 

 mash or in drinking water every six hours, until the bowels respond, 

 and nitrate water should be offered to drink. 



499. In the complicated form, or bastard strangles, the abscesses 

 develop in an irregular manner, some forming under the jaw, and 

 others under the ears, or on the side of the face, bursting and forming 

 again. Such a case requires skilled attention, as it may result in 

 pyaemia, in which condition abscesses are formed in various parts of 

 the body. The horse in this state becomes feverish, the temperature 

 rises to 105° and 106,° and the pulse is quick and small ; there is no 

 appetite ; the coat stands on end ; and in some cases the legs swell, 

 and the abscesses under the ears become so large that the animal is 

 threatened with suffocation, and tracheotomy has to be performed. 

 The bowels in such cases must be regulated with mashes, or green 

 food. Purgatives must be avoided, but, if necessary, an ounce or two 

 of sulphate of soda in a mash, or in the drinking water may be given 

 twice a day, while a good stimulating liniment should be applied to 

 the throat (see Appendix), at the same time the nose should be steamed 

 {pav. 497). Chlorate of potash, in two drachm doses, given in the 

 drinking water, along with 20 drops doses of strong hydrochloric acid, 

 twice a day, also answers well ; or one drachm doses of sulphate of 

 quinine may be given, night and morning, with 10 drops sulphuric 

 acid, in one pint of cold water. 



