248 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



focation. The swellings not infrequently disappear from one portion 

 of the body and develop on another, or may recede from the surface 

 and invade the intestinal mucous membrane. The mucous lining of 

 the nostrils and mouth show more or less dark-red or purple spots. 

 There may be a discharge of blood-colored serum from the nostrils ; 

 the tongue may be swollen so as to prevent eating or closing of the 

 jaws. In the most intense cases, within from twenty-four to forty- 

 eight hours bloody serum may exude through the skin over the 

 swollen parts, and finally large gangrenous sloughs may form. The 

 temperature is never very high, the pulse is frequent and com- 

 pressible, and becomes feebler as the animal loses strength. A cough 

 is usually present. The urine is scanty and high colored, and when 

 the intestines are much affected a bloody diarrhea may set in, with 

 colicky pains. Some of the internal organs become implicated in the 

 disease, the lungs may become edematous, extravasation may occur 

 in the intestinal canal, or effusion of serum into the cavity of the 

 chest or abdomen; occasionally the brain becomes affected. A few 

 cases run a mild course and recovery may commence in three or 

 four days ; generally, however, the outlook is unfavorable. In severe 

 cases septic poisoning is liable to occur, which soon brings the case 

 to a fatal issue. 



Pathology. On section we find the capillaries dilated, the connec- 

 tive tissue filled with a coagulable or coagulated lymph, and frequently 

 we may discover gangrenous spots beneath the skin or involving 

 the skin. The lymphatic glands are swollen and inflamed. Exten- 

 sive extravasations of blood may be found embedded between the 

 coats of the intestines, or excessive effusion into the substance of 

 the lungs. 



Treatment. Diffusible stimulants and tonics should be given from 

 the start. Carbonate of ammonia, 1 dram, fluid extract of red cin- 

 chona bark, 2 drams, and tincture of ginger half an ounce, with half 

 a pint of water; thin gruel or milk should be given every four or six 

 hours. But especial care should be exercised to avoid injury by 

 drenching. If the horse has difficulty in getting the head up arid 

 swallowing, smaller doses must be given with a small hard-rubber 

 syringe. Sulphate of iron in 1-dram doses may be dissolved in water 

 and given every six hours. Chlorate of potassa, in 2-ounce doses, 

 may be given every eight or twelve hours. Colloidal silver may be 

 administered intravenously in doses of from 5 to 12 grains. Wash- 

 ings with lead and alum water are useful and may be repeated several 

 times each day. If the swellings are very great, they may be incised 

 freely and the resulting wounds should be washed at least twice daily 

 with a warm 3 per cent solution of creolin or other good antiseptic. 

 Tracheotomy may be necessary. Complications, when they arise, 

 must be treated with proper circumspection. 



