142 



MODERN HORSE MANAGEMENT 



[chap. 



bronchi. The murmur ceases before the end of 

 each expiration ; therefore, each inspiration does 

 not directly follow the expiration, but each 

 expiration immediately follows the inspiration. 



535. Urine. — Normally the urine of the horse 

 is cloudy, unlike that of other animals. 



The Membrana Nictitans. — This is a piece of 

 cartilage, covered by mucous membrane, that is 

 situated inside the eyelid of the horse. The 

 eye is protected from particles of solid matter 

 by means of this membrane, which removes such 

 particles. The eye is also protected by the eye- 

 lids, which sweep the cornea. Tears also flush 

 the surface of the cornea, which is covered with 

 a layer of mucous membrane. Normally this 

 membrane is pale pink ; in anaemia it is white, 

 and in fever it becomes congested, i.e. red. The 

 temperature, therefore, can be approximated by 

 examining this membrane. This is done by 

 pressing the first two joints of the first finger of 

 the right hand on to the top lid of the horse's 

 left eye, and, with the thumb and first finger, the 

 two lids are drawn apart, thus, as it were, turn- 

 ing the upper lid inside out, when it can be 

 examined. The colour of a healthy horse's 

 membrane should be studied. 



536. Tracheotomy. — Whenever the breathing 

 is very difficult, due to swellings in the throat, 

 resulting from injuries, etc., and the disease 

 known as purpura heemorrhagica, or when a 

 horse roars badly, tracheotomy should be per- 

 formed. In many cases it is necessary to save 

 life. The tracheotomy tube is made aseptic by 

 being sterilised in boiling water for five minutes. 

 Cocaine is injected under the skin over the part 

 of the windpipe that is going to be cut, which 

 should be approximately on a level with the 

 withers. A line is cut with a sterile knife down 

 the middle line on the front of the neck for about 

 one and a half inches. The knife is then passed 

 through between two cartilage rings, and cut 

 up half-way through one ring and down half- 

 way through the other, taking an elliptical piece 

 out of each, making a hole a little larger than 

 the tube. The pieces are removed, the hole is 

 made free from tissue, and the two portions of 

 the tube inserted and fastened securely together. 

 The whole operation takes but a few seconds, 

 but great care must be taken not to cut through 

 a ring of cartilage, unless the tube is very large. 

 The relief given to a half-suffocated horse is 

 extraordinary. 



If a cartilaginous ring is cut right through, it 

 is liable to contract on healing, and thus lessen 

 the size of the lumen of the trachea. The tube 

 must be cleaned twice daily. A 10 per cent, solu- 

 tion of common salt is very excellent for soften- 

 ing the discharge, etc., on the tube. 



The following is a list of Diseases of the Alimen- 

 tary Canal from Mouth to Rect7tm. 



537. Stomatitis.— This is a catarrh and 



ulceration of the mucous membrane of the 

 mouth. 



Cause. — Rough food ; use of undiluted, irri- 

 tating medicines, such as turpentine, chloral 

 hydrate ; damp and mouldy hay, silage (if too 

 much fermented). 



Symptoms. — Redness of mucous membrane ; 

 salivation is excessive ; saliva is ropish, hangs 

 from mouth ; mouth smells fetid ; if bad, the 

 horse is off feed ; if ulcerated, pustules of pus 

 will be present. 



Treatment. — Remove cause, give soft food, 

 give laxative. Wash out mouth with diluted 

 antiseptic solution. Smear potassium chlorate, 

 dissolved in molasses, on teeth. 



538. Glossitis is inflammation of the tongue. 

 The tongue will be swollen and tender ; other 

 symptoms same as stomatitis. Treatment same 

 as stomatitis. If very sore, laxative must be 

 given per rectum. Keep tongue in mouth by 

 means of a pouch, etc. 



539. Ptyalism, or Slobbering. 



Cause. — Foreign bodies in the mouth, such 

 as pieces of wood wedged between the molar 

 teeth ; clover and other summer herbs ; drugs, 

 such as mercury. Injuries to lower jaw from 

 harsh use of severe bits. 



Symptoms. — Excessive flow of saliva. Diges- 

 tion may be affected. If foreign bodies are 

 wedged in teeth, horse may hold head on one 

 side. 



Treatment. — Examine mouth and teeth 

 thoroughly, and remove cause. Wash out mouth 

 with cold water and alum ; change food ; give 

 tonic. 



540. Parotitis is inflammation of parotid 

 gland — mumps. This frequently occurs with 

 strangles. 



Cause. — Tight bearing- or check-rein. Ex- 

 ternal injury, fermented food, contagion. 



Symptoms. — Enlargement below ears on both 

 sides of the jaw, hard and hot, painful on 

 pressure. Mastication may be interfered with. 

 Later, gland becomes soft and fluctuating. Hair 

 easily rubbed off. Later, swelling points. 



Treatment. — Fomentations with poultices, to 

 aid in pointing. Open swelling, when ready, 

 and treat wound antiseptically. Give soft feed, 

 febrifuges and tonics. Afterwards rub on iodine 

 ointment to reduce swelling, and give potassium 

 iodide internally. 



541. Pica, or Depraved Appetite. 



C(Z2/,se.— Stomach out of order, lying idle in 

 warm stable. Common in foals. 



Syjn pto7ns.— Horse eats its own dung. Foals 

 nibble their mother's tail. 



Treatt7ient.— Prevent cause. Give purgative 

 and good food. 



542. Pharync.iti.s, or Inflammation of 

 Pharynx— Sore Tiiro.\t. 



Cajise.- Contagion, exposure to cold and 

 dampness, impure air (badly ventilated stables], 



