BOTS. 



515 



In " White's Farriery," vol. 2, page 73, Dr. White says : — 



I have seen several horses destroyed by these worms. In some of them they 

 caused inflammation of the lungs ; in one frenzy, or mad staggers ; and in one horse, 

 the pylorus was completely. plugged up with them. There is a remarkable sympa- 

 thy or consent between the stomach and lungs, and it is owing to this that they 

 sometimes cause inflammation of the lungs. ' In the cases which have occurred in my 

 practice, the most remarkable circumstance was the great depression they occasioned. 



Symptoms. — There is no way, so far as I know, and 

 I have consulted a great marty veterinary surgeons 

 on the subject, of determining the symptoms of 

 bots. A horse is taken sick, showing all the symp- 

 toms of colic ; he is treated for that difficulty, is 

 cured, and the trouble is presumed to have been colic. • 

 According to the best authorities I can find, the con-; 

 elusion is that the symptoms of bots cannot be dis- 

 tinguished from other diseases of the stomach and 

 bowels ; that sometimes, whep occurring in dense 

 clusters around the pylorus or in the first bowel, 

 they interfere mechanically with digestion, and keep 

 the animal weak and emaciated, and s'ubject to slight 

 attacks of colic, capricious appetite, and irregular 

 bowels. Beyond these indications, which may be 

 identified with other difficulties, there is no way of 

 determining whether they are the cause of annoy- 

 ance. 



Treatment. — This is doubtful. I give that which 

 has been advised as the most effectual. White 

 says \ — 



Fig. 835.— Eggs The most likely means of expelling bots is to keep the horse 

 Greatly Magnified, without food during the night, and give him in the morning a 

 quart of new milk Weetened with honey ; and about ten minutes' 

 after, give four, five, or six ounces of salt in a quart of water. 



Dr. Feron remarks that — 



Common oil given in large quantities has sometimes succeeded in detaching bots 

 from the stomach. It is the only medicine that seems to have any effect in making 

 them loosen their hold on that organ. 



Blaine says that, the continued use of salt mixed with the food 

 appears. t.o be. obnoxious to them ; for sometimes under its use their 

 hold gives way, and they are ejected. 



The popular remedy for bots is sweet milk and molasses, which 

 is more safe than reliable. The following is recommended : — 



3. drachms each of aloes and asaf etida, rubbed down in hot water, and when 



