178 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



shipping fever, is peculiar to the horse, mule, and ass, and it 

 is common. It appears as a fever lasting a few days, with 

 formation of matter or pus, in the air tubes, and often the for- 

 mation of abscesses in other parts of the body. It usually leaves 

 the horse perfectly healthy, but may leave it a roarer. The 

 disease is infectious and passes from one animal to another, 

 and few are the animals that escape it. Ordinary light cases 

 require but little treatment beyond proper protection and feed- 

 ing nutritious, easily digested food, such as bran mashes. They 

 must have protection from exposure to cold and damp or the 

 disease will be complicated with bronchitis or similar ailments. 

 If the case becomes serious, more care is required. To reduce 

 the temperature the safest and simplest plan is to inject large 

 quantities of cold water into the rectum ; or give a table- 

 spoonful of nitrate of potassium, as a drench or in the drinking 

 water once daily. To ease the cough and allay the inflammation 

 of the mucous membrane, place a blanket over the head, and 

 steam with the vapor of warm water poured over a bucket of 

 bran and hay in which belladonna leaves or tar have been 

 placed, as in catarrh. If the bowels are constipated, give in- 

 jections of warm water and glycerine. Physic should not be 

 given. If an abscess forms, poultice with warm linseed, chang- 

 ing daily, open and wash with 3 per cent solution of carboUc 

 acid. 



Influenza, sometimes called pink-eye, bilious fever, grippe, 

 and various other names, is also peculiar to the horse, mule, and 

 ass. It usually appears as a fever; the animal seems greatly 

 depressed, the mucous membranes of the eyes are very fre- 

 quently enlarged and inflamed, giving rise to the name pink-eye. 

 One attack usually protects the animal from future ones of the 

 same disease, but not always. The disease is infectious and 

 contagious, passing from one animal to another. The treat- 

 ment is to give rest, provide comfortable quarters, and feed 

 easily digested and nutritious foods, such as bran mash, roots, 



