RECOLLECTIONS OF MEN AND HORSES 



trouble. When it is practicable, it is always well in 

 a case of laminitis to extract four or five quarts of 

 blood, either from the jugular or plate veins. With 

 but few exceptions a case thus treated usually returns 

 to usefulness in from three to five days. 



Many people often become greatly alarmed over 

 an animal becoming suddenly choked from inability 

 to swallow insufficiently masticated food, and which 

 is manifested by throwing the head upward, the crown 

 of the head backward, dropping of the crest, and 

 apparently making a violent effort to expel the lodged 

 bolus. In a practice of over thirty years we have 

 never met a serious case of this kind; the patient 

 always gains relief in a short time, and interference 

 does not seem to be absolutely necessary. The sub- 

 ject may, however, be relieved by forcing the mouth 

 open. This may be accomplished with the aid of a 

 small horseshoe placed crosswise in the mouth. This 

 will allow the hand to be pushed well backward, when 

 in some cases the bolus will be felt, and with the 

 aid of the fingers separated so that the horse will 

 readily throw it out. When this cannot be done the 

 head may be elevated and a little water or oil ad- 

 ministered; this will usually give relief. 



When there is imminent danger of suffocation from 

 swollen glands, temporary paralysis of the muscles, 

 etc., relief may be gained, and a valuable life saved, 

 by making a bold incision into and along the course 

 of the trachea, about halfway between the throat and 

 chest. An ordinary pocket knife can be used for the 

 purpose. This may look like a formidable operation 

 for unskilled hands to perform, but, as there is no 

 serious risk attached to it, there is no excuse for 

 hesitating. 



Glanders. Owing to the insidious character and 

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