MODERN FARRIER. 59 



both safe and useful. The fomentations ought to 

 be persisted in for some time, and frequently re- 

 newed, and the bowels kept open with gentle pur- 

 gatives. If these methods should fail in giving 

 relief, an operation will be necessary, which is best 

 performed by passing a staff up the urethra till it 

 reaches the middle of the perineum, and making an 

 incision upon it, through which a bougie or cathar- 

 tic may be introduced, and the water drawn off; 

 but this will be most safely performed by an expe- 

 rienced practitioner. 



It is not usual to cut horses for the stone, nor has 

 any efficient remedy been pointed out for this rare 

 disorder. 



34. The Strangles. 



Symptoms. — This disease is indicated by a fever- 

 ish heat, a painful cough, and a great thirst, with 

 extreme difficulty of swallowing liquids, and a loss 

 of appetite. The inflammation generally appears 

 on the inside of the jaw-bone, though sometimes in 

 the middle betwixt the jaws under the tongue-root. 

 Tlie latter is considered the most favourable situa- 

 tion for the tumour. Sometimes the parotid glands 

 are affected, and swell up as high as the root of the 

 ear; the animal breathes quick, and holds out his 

 nose and head constantly in the same position ; and 

 his eyes appear as though they were fixed in his 

 head. This is what is called the vwes by old far- 

 riers. When this disorder discharges itself at the 

 nose, it is called the bastard strangles, and, if neg- 

 lected or improperly treated, occasionally ends fatal- 

 ly, by affecting the lungs and inducing consumption. 



Causes. — The cause of this disorder has never been 

 ascertained. It has been compared to the small pox 

 in the human race, as it generally affects colts and 

 young horses, never returns again, and seems to 

 throw off something obnoxious to the constitution, 



