THEIR PATHOLOGY, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT. 77 



Fluid Blisters.— Oil of cantharides (which is made by macerating or 

 digesting one part of cantharides in eight parts of olive oil in a sand 

 bath for two hours and then filtering) 6oz., strong mercurial ointment 2oz., 

 mixed and rubbed well into the throat and swollen parts with the hand. 



This will make the skin sore, and cause a slight discharge from it, 

 but it will bring the tumour to a head, when it should be cut into, 

 and the imprisoned matter let loose, and the parts should be pressed to 

 get rid of it all, and afterwards kept strictly clean. I should have stated 

 that after the application of the blister the part should be well fomented 

 half a dozen times a day, with flannels wrung out of hot water, and a 

 few folds of good thick flannel saturated with very warm water, carefully 

 bound on by tying pieces of tape sewed to it, two from each side in 

 front, and two just behind the ears. The suppuration should be encouraged 

 at first by fomentations, and the strength of the horse kept up by a 

 generous diet, and as the appetite increases, which it will with the relief 

 felt from the discharge from the swellings, a few of the tonic powders 

 (pp. G, 21, and 53) should be given. 



The dangers attending strangles are the fear of the horse being choked 

 by the swelling before it is opened, to avoid which in an emergency the 

 veterinary surgeon would open the windpipe. There is also the danger of 

 relapse, when cure is always tardy ; abscesses may form on various parts 

 of the body, and complications take place which the veterinarian alone will 

 be able to deal with. But the foregoing treatment carefully carried out 

 will, except in rare cases, ensure against such untoward results. 



Stringhalt. — This is the name given to the involuntary rapid jerking 

 upward movement of the hind legs shown by some horses when starting. 

 It is very easily recognised ; horses afflicted with it always showing it 

 when first brought out of the stable and after standing for some time ; but 

 it disappears when the animal is fairly in action. There is no cure for 

 it that I am aware of. 



Surfeit.— The disease known as surfeit consists, as far as its outward 

 appearance goes, of a quantity of small round bumps which suddenly 

 make their appearance on the skin, particularly of the neck, shoulders, 

 and sides, and it is very similar to "heat lumps" that occasionally 

 appear on the skin of man ; it is generally caused by exposure to sudden 

 changes of temperature, and very often from drinking cold water freely 

 when the animal is warm. As a rule, the disease is easily managed, and 

 does not last long, and will yield to a mild dose or two of laxative 

 medicine, with change of diet, good nursing, and cooling alterative powders 

 made of sulphur, antimony, and nitre, with some of the bitter and commi- 

 native seeds, a recipe for which has already been given (p. 59) ; in more 

 severe cases, which are more likely to occur in horses that have been 

 badly treated, the lumps, instead of disappearing, break and discharge 

 from the centre, forming a scab, which ultimately comes off, bringing 

 a portion of the hair with it. In isuch cases thes© spots should be 

 frequently wetted with the following lotion : 



