/O THE DISEASES OF HORSES, 



veterinary surgeon, but the treatment prescribed may be adopted where 

 Buch services are difficult to obtain, or pending- the arrival of the 

 surgeon. 



Staling 1 , Profuse.— See Diabetes. 



Strangles. — This is a disease incident to young horses, generally 

 happening between the ages of two and five years, and very often appearing 

 soon after they are taken up from grass ; the reason apparently for the 

 latter fact being found in the too sudden change of diet from the soft 

 natural grasses and succulent herbs to hard corn and dry hay, and no less 

 by the equally great change from the open air to close stables, too often 

 far from clean, and rarely with the slightest pretentions to ventilation, for 

 it is too plain to all who choose to consider the subject, that those cases are 

 rare where sanitary laws are properly considered and acted on in housing 

 stock, but those who wish to see their young horses "safe through the 

 strangles," will find their profit in a careful attention to such matters. 

 Never, then, change a young horse's diet too suddenly, nor take him from 

 the fields to be cooped up in a low-roofed unventilated and hot stable ; 

 cleanliness can always be observed and proper ventilation insured by a 

 little trouble and outlay. Although this may not prevent the strangles, 

 it helps to keep the horse in a better state to meet and master the disease, 

 and renders dangerous forms of it less likely to occur. The disease is a 

 febrile one, accompanied with general sickness and loss of appetite ; 

 then follows stiffness of the neck, with heat and tumefaction or swelling 

 about the jaws, which is at first hard and hot to the touch ; there is also a 

 running at the nose, the swelling in the throat increases and goes on, 

 the throat is sore, as shown in the act of swallowing, and the breathing is 

 affected, until the swelling becomes a tumour, which, ripening and 

 coming to a head between the jaws, is cut open or bursts, and discharges 

 matter copiously, after which, with proper treatment, all danger is over. 

 The fear is— and to prevent it requires constant watchfulness— that the 

 tumour pressing against the windpipe might cause strangulation. The 

 treatment to be adopted is first to provide suitable accommodation. A 

 roomy box, shed, or other place well ventilated, and the horse well bedded ; 

 keep the strength up by giving such food in small quantities and at 

 frequent intervals as will tempt him to eat ; it must at same time be 

 light and laxative whilst nourishing, such as corn bruised and steamed 

 with carrots ; a little mash of ground malt, good gruel made with hay 

 tea, clover, and other available green food, but always given in small 

 lots, not pitched before the horse, or he will soil it by breathing on it and 

 pulling it about, and of course afterwards refuse it. The above mode 

 of feeding will obviate the necessity of giving purging medicines ; and 

 bleeding should not be practised in strangles, as it weakens the system 

 and prolongs the course of the disease and recovery from it. An important 

 object is to forward the formation and ripening of the tumour, and this is 

 done by the application of blisters in a fluid or semi-fluid form, for which 

 the following recipe will be available : 



