THE HORSE—-GENERAL DISEASES AND INJURIES. 187 
tation or poulticing. If suffocation is threatened, ice should be used freely 
externally, and small pieces be put into the mouth. In extreme cases of 
suffocation it may be necessary for a surgeon to open the windpipe. 
SORE THROAT. 
By this is meant an inflammation of the back part of the mouth, 
usually coming on from a like affection of the larynx. It is of common 
occurrence in horses which are put upon work with unusually good food, 
and in those which are taken from outdoor life and put into warm and 
poorly-ventilated stables, this change reducing the system and so making 
the animal liable to cold when exposed in severe weather. 
Symptoms.—A cold comes on with fever, thirst and loss of appetite, 
followed by quick breathing; external swelling of the throat; dry, hard 
cough; salivary glands swollen, hot and tender; difficulty in swallowing, 
drinking-water perhaps escaping from the nostrils during attempts to swal- 
low-it; the mouth afterward gives out a frothy fluid; the cough becomes 
loose and discharges come from the nose. 
TREATMENT.—Good general care is often all that is needed; but if it 
be a severe case, active measures should be taken, because there is a danger 
that the inflammation will extend to the bronchi and so produce bronchitis. 
Aconite given in ten-drop doses af first will often effect an immediate 
cure. The advanced stages, marked by more settled inflammation, swollen 
and tender glands, stringy saliva, discharges at the nose, and difficult and 
painful swallowing, require belladonna, ten drops every four or six hours 
being suitable. Mercurius may be given in doses of ten grains of the 
powder every three or four hours, alternated with belladonna, when both 
remedies seem to be indicated. The following has often been beneficial: 
Extract of belladonna, 4 drachms. 
Tannic acid, 1 drachin. 
Bi-sulphite of soda, 4 drachms. 
Syrup, 5 ounces. 
Mix. 
Rub on the back teeth a piece as large as a hickory-nut two cr three 
times aday. In case of external swelling and tenderness, use hot fomen- 
tations on the throat three times a day, with hot-bran poultices following. 
Steam the nose as in Catarrh. Keep the stall well ventilated and give 
oil-cake or oatmeal gruel and cold water. Remember that foul air in the 
stable, as from poor ventilation, putrid and urine-soaked dung and litter, is 
a prolific source of sore throat. 
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