186 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



Cause. — Irritation of the bladder or kidneys, or both, 

 from the use of the Spanish fly, either in the form of a 

 blister, being too extensive, or too near the loins and kid- 

 neys, and from the fly being given in an improper man- 

 ner, and in too large doses. 



Symptoms. — Frequent desire to pass urine, and when 

 passed, it is in small quantities, and bloody. Pain, irri- 

 tation, and fever, are present. 



Treatment. — To remove the pain, give twenty drops 

 of the tincture of aconite root every three hours, and give 

 plenty of cold water to drink ; also flax-seed tea, to home, 

 or drench down the throat of the horse, to sheath the 

 parts from irritating substances. Equal parts of good 

 mustard and flour, mixed with warm water, and made into 

 a soft paste, and laid over the region of the kidneys, or 

 small of the back, and occasionally moisten it with warm 

 water, and cover it with a dry cotton or linen cloth. 



Strangulation. — This is a term applied to a part 

 which is tightened, contracted, or closed. Strangulation 

 and stricture are terms implying difi*erent degrees of the 

 same phenomena. Thus we speak of strangulation of 

 the bowels from rupture, and of the glottis or head of the 

 wind-pipe, when, from some cause or other, it is closed. 

 Strangulation and death of the horse is the result, if no 

 opening be made lower down in the wind-pipe, to admit 

 atmospheric air. Stricture is that condition of the wind- 

 pipe or glottis, when contracted or pressed upon by en- 

 largement of the glands of the neck, or thickening of its 

 own membranes, diminishing the space or width of its 

 caliber, giving rise to thick wind, and increased breathing 

 and cough. 



Stringhalt. — This is an affection of the hind leg, and 



