STRANGLES ' 13^ 



after taking a few gulps the horse ceases to drink, 

 though apparently very desirous of doing so. In the 

 attempts made to swallow, and sometimes when neither 

 eating nor drinking, a convulsive cough comes on which 

 threatens to suffocate the animal. 



A tumour is formed in the centre of the channel 

 between the jaws and soon fills up the whole of the 

 space, and this is evidently one uniform body or lump, 

 and by this the complaint may be distinguished from 

 glanders, or the enlarged glandular swellings of an 

 ordinary cold.'"' 



By degrees the lump increases, gets softer, and 

 eventually bursts, and a quantity of pus is discharged 

 from It. As soon as this takes place the cough ceases, 

 and the animal begins to recover, though necessarily 

 remaining much weakened for a time. 



There is no preventive for this complaint, and it 

 generally makes its appearance in conjunction with 

 certain atmospheric changes. The treatment required 

 for it is, as a rule, simple enough, but in extreme cases 

 I have known it necessary to insert a breathing-tube 

 in order to prevent a horse being choked. 



If it is desired to hasten the formation of the tumour, 

 recourse may be had to some kind of blister, such as 

 'ossiline,' applied by rubbing. As soon as the swelling 

 comes to a soft head it may be lanced, but the incision 

 made must be large and deep enough, or else the 

 tumour may re-form. The tumour should not be 

 allowed to burst naturally — and I have known cases of 

 horses choking when such has been permitted — neither 

 should pressure with the fingers ever be used, since 



'■' The gland, in the case of glanders, is adhesive to the jaw — at 

 least, that on the near side is generally so. — Ed. 



