978 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Paiit III. 



the effect is apt to be mistaken for the cause, and the symptoms for tlie disease: Hide boun 1 and lampas 

 are not in themselves any thing more tlian elfocts, or symptoms ; the former being commonly, and the 

 latter being always, dependent on a deranged state of the stomach : both are, therefore, to be treated 

 accordingly. Exactly the same will apply to all the other symptoms of morbul condition. 



SuBSECT. 2. Inflamviatory Diseases of the Horse, 



6426. The inflammatory diseases of the horse are numerous, but his fevers are few; a febrile state 

 being generally brought on by the inflammation of some important organ. Inflammation may be con- 

 sidered as general or diffused, and local or confined, and both seem to arise from an affection of the blood- 

 vessels, and perhaps from a peculiar state of the blood itself. 



6427. General or diffused inflammation constitutes fever or extensive inflammatory affection, and 

 appears to consist in an increased action of the heart and arteries, accompanied with an increase of heat. 

 In some instances where the fever is purely symptomatic, and dependent on the inflammation of some 

 important organ, as of the lungs or the intestines, the circulation appears retarded rather than increased, 

 from interruption arising to its passage through the heart. 



6428. Local or confined inflammation is also dependent on an affection of the blood-vessels, but con- 

 fined principally to the blood vessels of the part affected. It is betokened by redness in the skin, tumour 

 or swelling, heat, and tenderness, with pain. Inflammations, both diffused and local, are brought on by 

 excitements, such as over-feeding, excessive heat, the reaction produced after cold, and the reaction 

 produced by inordinate exertion. Those more exterior arise from injuries, the application of improper 

 substances, &c. Inflammations terminate in various ways ; but it is to be remarked, that in consequence 

 of the very largo circulatory system in the horse, his febrile affections rage higher, and terminate sooner, 

 than in man. The usual termination of inflammatory affections in the horse is, by resolution, effusion, 

 suppuration, and gangrene. Schirrus is not at all a common termination of inflammation in the horse. 



6129. Inflammation of the brain {phrenitis), brain fever, phrensy fever, staggers, mad and sleepy. 

 There arc few diseases more likely to be mistaken by inexperienced farriers than this ; it is not to be 

 wondered at, therefore, if indifferent persons should be led into error by it. It appears in two forms, 

 a violent frantic one, and a sleepy lethargic one ; and the latter appearance is also common to a disease, 

 not dependent, as this is, on idiopathic inflammation of the brain, but on a paralytic affection of the 

 stomach, and thence it is called stomach staggers. This latter affection, however, may be distinguished 

 from the former by attending to the colour of the eyelids, nose linings, mouth, &c., which, in stomach 

 staggers, are usually more yellow than red ; whereas, in sleepy staggers, they are more red than yellow. 

 Inflammation of the brain shows itself, in general cases, by disinclination to food and motion, drowsiness, 

 accompanied by a heaviness and closing of the eyelids, with moisture and redness of them ; and also of 

 the linings of the mouth and nose. Sometimes these symptoms increase until the horse becomes comatose, 

 and after a few frightful struggles, he sinks to rise no more In these cases the pulse is apt to be oppressed 

 instead of increased ; but most frequently after the first stages he becomes furious, plunges about, and 

 is vicious to himself and others, approaching to a state of madness, in which state he continues till he 

 sinks from his own exertions, when he rises again to renew his violence. 



64:30. The causes of staggers may be various: the immediate are either an original accumulation of 

 blood within the brain, or the translation of the inflammation of some organ to the brain ; as a remote 

 cause it is often brought on by too full feeding, without sufficient exercise, and particularly in horses at 

 one time working very hard, and at another suffered to remain inactive, but which horses, whether used 

 or not, are equally fed. Sudden cold, violence, &c., may bring it on. 



6431. The treatment qf staggers should be begun by abstracting a very large quantity of blood promptly, 

 by opening both jugulars, and letting the horse bleed to the amount of ten or even twelve quarts ; repeat- 

 ing the same until the delirium ceases. After the first bleeding, back rake, throw up a laxative clyster 

 i^Vet. Pharm. 6564.), blister the head, promote a current of free air in the stable, and treat altogether as 

 directed under other febrile affections, 



6432. Locked jaw, stag-evil, or tetanies, arises from cold, excessive fatigue, sometimes perhaps from 

 worms, but more often from a wound of some part, as pricks in shoeing, &c. Such wound is seldom in a 

 recent state, but after two or three weeks' continuance, sometimes after it has healed even ; it follows 

 docking, gelding, and nicking frequently, and is preceded by a flabby unhealthy .state of the wound. 

 It is not always produced by an open wound ; it is sometimes consequent on a bruise, strain, &c. ; and 

 is .sometimes brought on by cold, violent exertions, &c. &c. It appears as an affection of the brain, which 

 transmits its morbid irritation, particularly to the nerves attached to muscles, by which they become 

 cramped, or may be considered as in a high state of action, giving the horse a peculiar look of energy, 

 as though immediately stopped from full speed, with his nostrils extended, his head raised, and nose 

 carried forward ; his legs straddle wide, and his tail is cocked and quivers, as after violent exercise. The 

 jaws will now be found, if not closed, yet nearly so, when he is csWeAjaw-set. 



6433. The treatment is not often successful ; but, however, it is sufficiently frequent that it is so, to de- 

 serve the utmost attention. Blaine informs us that enormous bleedings have succeeded ; but he places 

 his principal dependence on the application of cold by the means of ice, or of constant dashing with cold 

 water, with an active blister applied the whole length of the spine. Balls of camphor and opium, to the 

 amount of two drachms of each, may be given every three hours. If any room remains in the mouth, the 

 ball may be passed up by means of a stick, or it may be given as a drink by means of a syringe ; and even 

 when the mouth is entirely closed, he informs us we may give a drink by the nostrils. Moorcroft used 

 cold also. Fearon, on the contrary, has experienced benefit from a bath, heated to ninety degrees, and 

 kept at that temperature for three hours. White recommends camphor and opium. Wilkinson, of 

 Newcastle, has been very successful by keeping up heat and stimulus over the skin in general, by means 

 of newly stripped sheepskins put on hot. Perhaps if the body were previously rubbed with oil of turpen- 

 tine one part, and common oil two parts, it might assist Wilkinson's plan. When locked jaw arises from 

 nicking, it might be prudent for a veterinary surgeon to dissect down on the nerves of the tail, and divide 

 them ; and when from docking, it would be advisable at once to cut off another portion of the tail ; 

 which practices, in both instances, would afford a moderate chance of saving the animal It is neces.sary 

 further to remark, that it is of great consequence that the bowels be kept free from feeces, by raking and 

 clysters. With regard to the latter they are very important in this disease, as a medium, commonly the 

 only one, of giving support. A horse has been kept alive on nourishing clysters alone for seven or eight 

 days. {Vet. Pharm. ^QQ.) 



6434. Catarrhal fever, epidemic catarrh, infltienza, distemper, cold, morfoundering, 8(C. These names 

 apply to one common disease, which often in rainy, variable seasons appears as an epidemic, and affects 

 thousands of horses at once. It is observed to be particularly prevalent in this form in the spring of some 

 years, more than of others. It is not contagious, like the more malignant form, but is brought on as an 

 epidemic by the same causes being applied to nearly all subjects alike ; which are alternations of heat with 

 cold, moisture, and dryness, &c. In crowded cities and large towns it is more prevalent than in more 

 open situations, and it is more frequently found in the young than in aged horses. Where it does not 

 exist as an epidemic, it is brought on By an accidental cold taken. It is of great consequence to dis- 

 tinguish it from pure inflammation of the lungs, with which it is very apt to be confounded ; and which 

 mistake is often a fatal one, from the treatment being in some essential particulars diffferent. Inflamma- 

 tion of the lungs commences by a short cough, without much other disturbance to the health than the 

 pain it gives the horse to cough ; but which is often so considerable as to make him stamp his feet while 

 coughing. If a horse in the distemper coughs early, it is not a hollow, harsh-sounding, and distressing 

 cough of this kind ; if he expresses uneasiness, it is principally from a sore throat, which is very common 



