528 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 



period, by ^Yhicll time others aid in differentiating the two. In 

 glanders the tubercle is hard, and, after breaking into an ulcer, the 

 indurated bottom remains, grayish or dirty white in color, ragged, 

 and exuding a viscous, oily discharge. There is no disposition to 

 suppuration of the neighboring glands. In variola the rosy shallow 

 ulcer and healthy pus, with the acutely tumefied glands, should not 

 be mistaken, at least after a day. I have seen acute glanders in mules 

 which required a day's delay to differentiate from strangles ; at that 

 time the farcy buds appeared. 



Prognosis. — The average case of horsepox runs a course of dejec- 

 tion, loss of appetite, and more or less fever for about four days, 

 followed by a rapid convalescence, and leaves the animal as well and 

 as sound as before. If the eruption has been excessive or confluent, 

 the ulcerations may act as irritants and render the animal unfit for 

 use for several weeks. Larjmgitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis, and pneu- 

 monia in this disease are not of greater gravity than they are when 

 occurring from other causes. The spots denuded of pigment left 

 by the pustules on the lips and genitals may temporarily depreciate 

 (he value of the animal to a slight degree. 



Treatment. — As this is a disease unattended hj alterations of the 

 blood itself, although a specific fever, and is of a sthenic type, active 

 remedies are admissible and, indicated. The horse should be placed 

 on a low diet (little or no oats) — bran mashes, a moderate quantity 

 of good, sound hay, a few carrots or apples, which will act as laxa- 

 tives, and slop, feed. Barley flour is" more cooling for mashes than 

 bran or oatmeal. Water may be given as the animal desires it, 

 but it should not be cold ; if a half bucketful of Avater is kept in the 

 manger, the horse Avill take but a few swallows at a time. One-dram 

 doses of nitrate of potash or 1-ounce doses of sweet spirits of niter 

 are useful in the drinking water. If the fever is high, the anti- 

 pyretics are indicated: Sulphate of quinine in 1-dram doses; iodide 

 of potash in 1-dram doses; infusion of pine tops, of juniper leaves, 

 of the aromatic herbs, or of English breakfast tea are useful in the 

 later stages. If complications of the air passages or lungs are 

 threatened, a large mustard poultice should be applied to the belly 

 and sides of the chest. Oxide of zinc ointment should be used on 

 confluent eruptions, and if the ulceration is excessive it may have to 

 be touched with caustic. 



Great care must be taken to keep the animal protected from cold 

 drafts of air or other exposure. Blankets or sheets should be used 

 on the body and bandages on the legs. After convalescence is estab- 

 lished, nutritious food of easy digestion and walking exercise are all 

 that is needed, except perhaps a little Glauber's salts to prevent 

 constipation. 



Prophylactic treatment. — When horsepox breaks out among a large 

 Digitized by Microsoft® 



