400 DISEASES LOCALIZED IN CERTAIN ORGANS 



are important factors in the prognosis. In very young colts, 

 especially if lacking in vigor and growth, the disease is much 

 more apt to be fatal than in colts over one year of age. Suck- 

 lings are not infrequently attacked in the pharyngeal lymph 

 glands, leading to severe dyspnea and serious dysphagia fol- 

 lowed by foreign-body pneumonia. When the patients are 

 neglected, kept in damp, dark, dirty stables and poorly fed, 

 the course is longer and the prognosis not so good as when 

 6pposite conditions prevail. 



In some outbreaks the irregular form of the disease domi- 

 nates, involving the internal lymph glands, especially of the 

 abdomen and leading to death from peritonitis. 



The mortality is 1 to 3 per cent, in the benign form but 

 may reach 20 to 30 per cent, in malignant outbreaks. 



The most frequent sequels to strangles are: (a) Purpura 

 hemorrhagica; (b) roaring; (c) empyema of the sinuses of the 

 head; (d) immobility from encapsuled brain abscess; (e) tabes 

 mesenterica from chronic, adhesive peritonitis leading to 

 thickening of the mesentery, bowel adhesions, emaciation and 

 finally cachexia. 



Treatment. — ^The principal factors in treating strangles are: 

 (a) Isolation and care of the sick and subsequent thorough 

 disinfection of the premises; (b) proper hygiene (light, cleanli- 

 ness and ventilation), and (c) the early opening of the ab- 

 scesses. The patient should be placed in a roomy, light, airy 

 box-stall. In mild, sunny weather it may be turned out 

 during the day. The feed box should be kept clean and 

 free from accumulations of nasal discharge. The diet should 

 consist of easily digested, laxative foods (steamed oats, bran 

 mashes, grass, carrots). If the patient refuses all food and 

 is growing weak, milk, eggs and alcohol may be used. Some- 

 times appetite may be stimulated by feeding small quantities 

 of oats over which a Httle brown sugar has been strewn. 

 Sucklings should be assisted at nursing, or in case they cannot 

 suck (dysphagia) rectal feeding may be employed. Friction 

 to the skin through good grooming is helpful. TheTnostrils 

 may be cleaned with cotton, soaked in a 1| per cent^creolin 

 solution and the canthi of the eyes kept free from pus accu- 

 mulation. 



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