130 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



sluggish; and the symptoms, though mild, are obstinate. The 

 disease is then termed the bastard strangles. 



When the glands thus become indurated, some ointment of 

 hydriodate of potash should be rubbed in every day. 



Treatment. — The object to be kept in view is to bring the ab- 

 scess to suppuration as quickly as possible, and to moderate the 

 fever at the same time. 



Unless the symptoms of fever are particularly severe, and in- 

 flammation of the windpipe and the lungs is threatened, it^ is 

 better to avoid bloodletting ; but if employed, it should be with 

 moderation. The bowels should be moderately relaxed,^ fur 

 which purpose two or three drachms of aloes may be given in a 

 ball, but rarely, if ever, repeated. Two drachms of nitre and 

 one of tartarized antimony may be given twice a day, in a mash. 

 We should avoid drenching as much as possible, in consequence 

 of the soreness of the throat. A stimulating liniment should be 

 rubbed on the swelling, and a warm linseed meal poultice applied, 

 and changed twice a day. 



If this cannot be conveniently done, the hair should be cut off 

 and the part blistered. When matter can be readily felt, a large 

 opening should be made with a lancet, and the matter pressed 

 out. After this a poultice may be applied for one night. Some- 

 times there are several smaller abscesses, which, however, must 

 be treated in the same manner. 



The diet should consist of bran mashes, green food, and car- 

 rots, with a little hay, and thin gruel may be given to drink. 



If the colt is much reduced, a little tonic medicine may be 

 afterwards given, but this is rarely necessary. 



In our treatment of strangles, it is necessary to be on our 

 guard, as other diseases may supervene, particularly inflamma- 

 tions of the windpipe and the chest. It is desirable, therefore, 

 unless the ease be slight, to rub a blistering liniment in the 

 course of the windpipe. 



The symptoms of strangles sometimes occur even in very old 

 horses; and when the parotid glands are alone attacked, the 

 disease used to be called the vives, or ives^ and is sometimes 

 very troublesome, but should be treated as we have recommended 

 for strangles. 



If the swelling continues hard, some ointment of hydriodate of 

 jjotnsh may be rubbed in daily. 



The consequences of strangles are sometimes very severe, and 

 even fatal. In some cases large abscesses have been found to 

 arise in different parts of the body, sometimes on the surface, nt 

 others internally, and so occasioning death. These cases are 

 supposed to arise from the absorption of pus, and are more likely 

 to occur when the sub-maxillary abscess has been imperfectly 

 developed. 



