842 



DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. 



Fig. 751 



from cold 



Suffering 



change from a cold to a hot temperature is more likely to cause 

 catarrh than a change from a hot to a cold one. 



SymptoTYis. — -If the horse is standing in 

 the stable he will appear dull, and incline to 

 hang his head in the manger ; the mouth is 

 hot, and the pulse quickened and weak ; the 

 coat is staring, and the lining membrane of 

 the nose is reddened and injected. If the lar- 

 ynx is involved, steady pressure on that re- 

 gion will cause coughing. This is the con- 

 gestive stage, which speedily passes off, and 

 exudation takes place from the vessels, caus- 

 ing a discharge from the nostrils, at first 

 watery, gradually becoming thicker, and of 

 a yellowish color. In some instances this 

 matter becomes pent up within the sinuses of the head, and comes 

 away in large quantities every three or four hours. A watery 

 discharge from the eye is also very often an 

 accompaniment of catarrh. If these symp- 

 toms become aggravated, the appetite is im- 

 paired, the bowels are costive, and the foeces 

 passed are of a clayey nature, the legs and 

 ears are cold, and the breathing accelerated. 

 Catarrh, if improperly treated, oir the ani- 

 mal kept at work and exposed to sudden 

 changes of temperature, is veiy apt to de- 

 scend to the chest, and is a prolific source of 

 other and more serious diseases, as inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs {'pneumonia), or of the cov- 

 ering of the lungs (^^leurisy), or of the bron- 

 chial tubes (bronchitis). 



In the majority of cases catarrh is but a simple affection indi- 

 cated by a little increase of pulse, a slight discharge from the nose 

 and eyes, the hair roughened, not much appetite, and some cough, 

 which is sometimes severe, and if the patient gets anything hke 

 proper usage or treatment no very serious results generally follow. 

 Treatment. — At once place the animal in a comfortable, 

 well-ventilated, loose box, as should be done in all affections of 

 the chest; blanket warmly, give aconite or some of the fever 



^^ 



Fig. 752. — Nose-bag. 



