THE HOUSE, ITS DISEASES. 343 



The general treatment is the same as for distemper. See on pages 308-310. 



OPENING THB ABSCESS OF STRANGLES. 



XVIII. Spasmodic Action of the Glottis and Epiglottis. 



This may be occasioned rarely by food sticking in the gesophagus. It 

 is sometimes attendant upon cutting the teeth, in which case the gums should 

 be cut. It generally appears in colts, calves, and lambs. 



How to know it. — The first symptoms are like those of sore throat. 

 There will be a dry whirring breathing and a hard metallic cough. 

 Sometimes it will be heard only when spasm of the larynx comes on. 

 As the disease progresses the fever increases, the temperature of the 

 body running to 107 degrees, and the pulse from ninety to over one 

 hundred. White films or pellicles (albuminous false membranes) form 

 in the throat, which come away from time to time, or if not, the animal 

 dies of suffocation. 



What to do. — Place the animal where it may have free air but no drafts, 

 and where the temperature may be kept comfortable. Allow sufficient 

 clothing. Give as a laxative twelve ounces Glauber salts dissolved in a 

 quart of warm water. 



As an antispasmodic give two or three drachm doses of laudanum 

 every hour in a decoction of marsh mallow. In the early stage of the 

 disease warm fomentations persistently applied may scatter the disease. 

 K later, use the following: 



No. 82. 1 Part oil of turpentine, 



1 Part lard oil, 

 1 Part solution of ammonia. 



Rub well on the affected parts of the throat. If the membrane in the 

 throat do not give way, and there is increased difficulty in breathing, swab the 

 throat with a solution of: 10 gr. nitrate of silver in 1 oz. of rainwater. 



