206 DISEASES OF HORSES. 



out in a field each day is proper. Green meat in the stable, when 

 it can be procured, should likewise be given. 



15. Malignant epidemic, murrain, or pest. Now and then the dis- 

 temper or influenza assumes a character of uncommon malignance, 

 which is happily not frequent here, but not unfrequent in conti- 

 nental countries, sweeping off a third of the horses and kine, 

 without any means being found sufficient to arrest its progress. 

 In these cases it is found highly contagious, attacking almost all 

 the horses as well as cattle within its sphere of action, or which 

 communicate with each other. Dr. Layard, and Osmer, English 

 writers of established reputation, noticed the appearances of this 

 disease long ago ; and their descriptions are not different from the 

 milder kind noticed (13) but in degree. The throat is intensely 

 sore, and the mouth ulcerated ; the glands of the head swell, and 

 sometimes these and other parts suppurate and burst. The matter 

 from the nose is bloody, and the stench intolerable; the weakness 

 is also peculiarly great, and shows itself early. 



16. The treatment recommended by Blaine is the early use of 

 malt mashes ; even ale is indispensable. Green meat should be 

 allowed, and a very cool stall is necessary, having a free commu. 

 nication with the open air. As medicine, tliree doses are necessary, 

 every day, of the malignant epidemic fever drink, (Vet. Ph. 160.; 

 half a pint of yeast with a pint of ale has been given, with good 

 effect, three times a day ; also, to prevent the infection from spread- 

 ing, fumigate the stables and all the outhouses with the preventive 

 fumigation. {Vet. Ph. 161.) 



Diseases of the Head. 



17. Epilepsy, megrims, sturdy, or turnsick, are epileptic attacks 

 of greater or less violence, and which are apt to be confounded 

 with the accidental strangulation that sometimes takes place from 

 a collar too tight, or from driving a horse hard up hill, &lc. The 

 epileptic fit makes its appearance by a sudden stop ; if the horse 

 be in action he shakes his head, looks wild and irresolute, but after 

 some time proceeds ; when more violent, he suddenly falls down, 

 is convulsed, dungs and stales insensibly, and remains some time 

 before he recovers. This disease, like staggers, is generally the 

 consequence of two full a habit ; and is, therefore, best relieved by 

 bleeding, and a more moderate diet ; and, where it is convenient, 

 a run at grass should be allowed to alter the habit. 



18. The diseases of the horse^s eyes are not numerous, but they 

 arc very destructive. The principal are opthalmia and gutta 

 Serena. 



