418 THE HORSE. 



complication. The latter condition is, however, extremely rare. 

 In its early stage, it can scarcely be recognised or distinguished 

 from simple fever; hut in the course of two or three days the 

 strength is so much reduced, the breath is so fetid, and the mouth 

 is loaded with such a black discharge from the tongue and gums, 

 that the nature of the disease is clearly manifested. The pulse is 

 very low, the languor increases, and there is often more or less 

 delirium. The course of the disease is extremely rapid, and in 

 five or six days a strong horse will sink beneath its powers, refusing 

 food, and dying without any attempt to rally. The treatment 

 should be of the most generous kind, as soon as the bowels have 

 been gently moved, which should be effected, if possible, by injec- 

 tion. Then give a ball two or three times a day, composed thus : — ■ 



Take of Carbonate of Ammonia . . . . 2' to 1 drachm. 



Powdered Ginger 1 drachm. 



Powdered Yellow Bark .... 3 drachms. 



Syrup enough to make into a ball. 



This should be washed down with a quart of ale caudle, and hay 

 tea should be allowed as the drink ad libitum; or, if there is 

 diarrhoea, rice-water may be used in the same way. Few cases, 

 however, will recover, in spite of every exertion and careful treat- 

 ment on the part of the attendant.* 



* As will be perceived by the text, typhoid fever is of rare occurrence in 

 Great Britain ; and when it does occur, it is mostly as a sequel to influenza 

 and other debilitating diseases. Indeed, this may with truth be said of all 

 countries where the land is dry by nature, or made so by drainage and culti- 

 vation. 



Until of late years, no mention is made in the books on hippopathology, 

 of " typhosus" as one of the ailments of the equine species. Typhoid fever 

 among horses in different parts of this country is of yearly occurrence, and 

 is known by several and distinct names — depending upon the chief symptom 

 observed. Thus, in Kentucky, and the South West, it is called "black 

 tongue," because that organ, as in man under similar circumstances, varies 

 in color from a deep purple to black. It is known in New York as cerebro- 

 spinal-meningitis, because it is thought by M. Liautard, to present symptoms 

 similar to those when man is the subject. In Delaware it is named " choking 

 distemper." In the West it is " putrid fever," so called from the fetid smell 

 emanating from the diseased animal. 



Isaiah Michener, Esq., of Bucks county, Pennsylvania, in a lecture 

 delivered before the class of the Philadelphia Veterinary College, calls it 

 " paralysis of the par-vagum," on account of the loss of power to swallow. 

 The multiplicity of names given to the disease can do no possible harm, 

 whilst, at the same time, they serve to point out to us the chief symptoms, so 

 that they may be grouped together and as a whole, under the head of typhosus 

 or typhoid fever. 



The symptoms differ with the intensity of the attack, but at first they are 

 very obscure and likely to be overlooked, a general debility being the most 

 noticeable ; and in a day or two a difficulty in swallowing will be ob- 



