WAEBLES. — SYMPTOMS. — CAUSES. 207 



WARBLES. 



"Warbles, or " Warables," as the affection is frequently- 

 termed in Yorkshire and Lancashire, is a form of skin disease 

 which frequently proves of great annoyance to horses. 



The disease in question is the most common to horses, 

 during the hot months of the year, and when they are fed 

 upon green food, and subject at the same time to severe labour. 

 Draught and harness horses are those most commonly affected 

 by the malady. 



Symptoms. — The disease is not difficult to recognise. *A 

 number of small round lumps become manifest upon various 

 parts of the skin ; they sometimes appear suddenly, at other 

 times slowly and insiduously. Most commonly they appear at 

 the junction of the neck with the withers, upon the sides and 

 in front of the shoulders, and along the back, and upon the 

 hind quarters. 



At first these lumps are itchy, afterwards, if neglected, and 

 they are irritated to a greater extent, they swell, and present 

 other symptoms and states common to the inflammatory con- 

 dition. The sub-tissues of the part become at times extensively 

 involved, and not unfrequently the inflammation goes on until 

 it terminates in purulent abscess ; and finally resolution of the 

 parts take place after the contents of the abscess are freely 

 evacuated. Abscesses of this kind generally occur either at 

 the bottom of the neck at its junction with the withers, or in 

 front of the shoulders. 



Causes. — In the generality of these cases several causes 

 will probably be found acting in association. Coarseness of 

 breed is a predisposing cause. The disease is the most com- 

 mon in coarse-bred, hard-worked horses. Amongst the common 

 causes of a direct nature are excessive labour of the animal 

 when exposed to the hot sun ; feeding of the horse with green 



