COMMUNICABLE DISEASES 243 



STRANGLES 



Strangles, commonly called distemper, is a communicable dis- 

 ease peculiar to young animals of the horse family. It is charac- 

 terized by fever, profuse catarrh of the nasal mucous membrane, 

 and a marked swelling of the submaxillary lymph-glands. 



The cause of strangles is the Streptococcus equi. This organ- 

 ism lurks in public sale stables, livery barns, and about places 

 where horses are kept in numbers. In the late winter and spring 

 months these animals are particularly liable to acquire the infec- 

 tion. The period of incubation varies from four to eight days. 



The symptoms usually noted are the following : Rise of tempera- 

 ture to 104° to 106° F.; general depression; congested mucous mem- 

 branes; profuse nasal discharge, at first of a watery nature, then 

 thick and yellowish green; moist cough; swelling of the lymph- 

 glands under the jaw — in the beginning they are hard, hot, and 

 very tender, later they suppurate. 



Strangles is not a very serious disease. The mortality varies 

 from 1 to 3 per cent. Under ordinary circumstances convalescence 

 occurs in a week or ten days. 



Treatment. — A comfortable stall and light, laxative diet must 

 be provided. Of course, the patient should not be kept at work. 

 Clean out the nostrils with moistened absorbent cotton two or three 

 times a day. For internal medication nothing gives better satis- 

 faction than artificial Carlsbad salts. If the fever is high, quinin 

 may be administered. The treatment of the swollen glands in the 

 throat is purely surgical. To hasten abscess formation a poultice 

 may be applied. As soon as the abscess "points" it should be 

 opened with the finger or a blunt instrument to allow the pus to 

 escape. Syringe out the abscess cavity twice each day with 3 per 

 cent, carbolic acid solution. 



INFLUENZA 



Influenza is known by the synonyms shipping fever, catarrhal 

 fever, and pink eye. It frequently occurs as an enzootic. No one 

 organism has yet been demonstrated to be the sole cause. One 

 attack produces a life immunity. 



The first symptoms are like those in other rapidly developing 

 fevers, and include chills, a temperature up to 104° or 105° F., 

 depression, and loss of appetite. These symptoms are seen during 



