78 THE MULE. 



DISEASES COMMON TO THE MULE, AND HOW THEY SHOULD 

 BE TREATED. 



The mule does not differ materially from the horse 

 ill the diseases he is afflicted with. He however suffers 

 less from them, owing to lack of sensibility. It may 

 be useful here to make a few remarks on the various 

 diseases he is subject to, and to recommend a course of 

 treatment which I have practiced and seen practiced, 

 and which I believe is the best that can be applied. 



DISTEMPER IN COLTS. 



This disease is peculiar to young mules. Its symp- 

 toms develop with soreness and swelling of the glands 

 of the throat, a cough, difficulty of swallowing, dis- 

 charging at the nostrils, and general prostration. If 

 not properly treated it is surely fatal. 



Treatment : — Give light bran mashes, plenty of 

 common salt, and keep the animal in a warm and dry 

 stable. You need not clothe, for the mule, unlike the 

 horse, is not used to clothing. If the swelling under 

 the throat shows a disposition to ulcerate, which it 

 generally does, do nothing to prevent it. Encourage 

 the ulcer, and let it come to a head gradually, for this is 

 the easiest and most natural way that the trouble, which 

 at first seems to pervade the whole system, can be got 

 rid of. When the ulcer appears soft enough to lance, 

 do so, and be careful to avoid the glands and veins. 

 Lance through the skin in the soft spot, which appears 

 almost ready to break. If the throat is at any time so 



