46 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



and congli only when attempting to swallow are the symptoms best 

 marked in pharyngitis. In some cases the throat becomes gangrenous 

 and the disease ends in death. For treatment wrap a wet sheet 

 around the throat and cover this with rubber sheeting and a warm 

 blanket. This should l^e changed three times daily ; or the region of 

 the throat may be rubbed with mercurial ointment twice daily until 

 the skin becomes irritated, but no longer ; chlorate of potash may be 

 given in quantities of 2 drams four times daily, mixed with flaxseed 

 meal or liquorice- root powder and honey, as an electuary. Soft foods 

 should be given, and fresh water should be constantly before the 



horse. 



Paralysis of the pharynx, or, as it is commonly called, " paralysis 

 of the throat," is a rare but very serious disease. The symptoms are 

 as follows : The horse will constantly try to eat or drink, but will be 

 unable to do so; if water be offered him from a pail he will appar- 

 ently drink with avidity, but the quantity of water in the pail will 

 remain about the same; he will continue trying to drink by the hour; 

 if he can succeed in getting any fluid into the back part of the mouth 

 it will come out at once through the nose. Foods also return through 

 the nose, or are dropped from the mouth, quidded. An examination 

 of the mouth by inserting the hand fails to find any obstruction or 

 any abnormal condition. These cases go on from bad to worse ; the 

 horse constantly and rapidly loses in condition, becomes very much 

 emaciated, the eyes are hollow and lusterless, and death occurs from 

 inanition. 



Treatment is very unsatisfactory. A severe blister should be ap- 

 plied behind and under the jaw; the mouth is to be frequently 

 swabbed out with alum or chlorate of potash, 1 ounce to a pint of 

 water, by means of a sponge fastened to the end of a stick. Strych- 

 nia may be given in 1-grain doses two or three times a day. 



This disease may be mistaken at times for foreign bodies in the 

 mouth or for the so-called cerebro-spinal meningitis. It is to be dis- 

 tinguished from the former, upon a careful examination of the 

 mouth, by the absence of any offending body and by the flabby feel 

 of the mouth; and from the latter by the animal api^earing in per- 

 fect health in every particular except this inability to eat or drink. 



Abscesses.— Abscesses sometimes form back of the pharynx and 

 give rise to symptoms resembling those of laryngitis ■ or distemper. 

 Interference with breathing that is of recent origin and progression, 

 Avithout an}'^ observable swelling or soreness about the throat, will 

 make one suspect the formation of an abscess in this location. But 

 little can be done by the owner in the way of treatment, save to hurry 

 the ripening of the abscess and its discharge by steaming with hops, 

 hay, or similar substances and by poulticing the throat. The opera- 

 ation for opening an abscess in this region necessitates an intimate 

 knowledge of the complex anatomy of the throat region. 



