32 SICKNESS AND CASUALTIES. 
Quittors, sand-cracks, and poll-evil, mange and other 
cutaneous diseases, I never saw in my stables, and therefore 
cannot pretend to prescribe for them; but I am convinced 
they should not exist where proper arrangements are in force. 
Their appearance, like that of sore backs or crib-biting, is, in 
my opinion, a sure sign of neglect. When cases do occur, 
there is but one remedy—to hand them over to a veterinary 
surgeon; for, if unskilfully treated, the quittors and poll-evil 
may assume an obstinate form, ending in death; while most 
skin diseases are contagious, and spread rapidly. 
Yearlings when taken up to break, as a rule cough, 
(probably from the stable being hotter than the one pre- 
viously occupied) ; have sore throats and influenza, the latter 
often the cause of strangles. This disease, many people say, 
horses never escape, in some form or other (like distemper in 
dogs); but my experience teaches me to believe other- 
wise. Numbers pass from the side of thcir dams to the grave, 
after years of racing, and do not have it, or any other disease, 
They die from accident or old age, but not from sickness, 
Strangles are however very common amongst young horses, 
and may easily be detected by a cough, enlarged or sore throat, 
and discharge of thick mucus, sometimes fetid, from one or 
both nostrils, often attended with loss of appetite and ex- 
treme debility. To blister the throat under the jaw with 
“Day’s” spavin liniment! or some other vesicant, is as a rule 
sufficient to arrest the complaint; if not, the application 
should be extended down to the chest, when there is no 
suppuraticn under the jaw. This will localize the disease 
and prevent its reaching the lungs. After suppuration takes 
place, little may be feared if the orifice be kept open, and a 
1 In answer to numerous inquirers I should perhaps say that this liniment, 
originally prescribed by my grandfather, may be obtained of Mr. W. Day, 
M.R.C.V.S., Warminster. 
