AND HIS DISEASES.* 127 



frightful rapidity ; in other cases of a milder type, and 

 assuming what may be called a sub-acute form. 



Causes. — Are similar to catarrh, as undue exposure to cold 

 and variations in the state of the temperature ; but in some 

 seasons it appears as an epizootic disease, large numbers of 

 horses becoming affected with it about the same time. These, 

 cases are always of a typhoid nature when occurring in 

 stables insuflBciently ventilated more especially. It is occa- 

 sionally caused by injuries, as in the careless administration 

 of medicines. 



Symptoms of " sore throat" are well marked. The horse 

 holds his head stiff, with his nose poked out, showing the 

 muscles of the neck prominently ; he has considerable diffi- 

 culty in swallowing ; if he attempts to drink, part of the 

 water is returned through his nostrils ; the throat is painful 

 to the touch, and the least pressure excites a violent fit 

 of coughing. At the commencement of the disease it is 

 difficult to distinguish it from " distemper" (strangles). By 

 the third or fourth day the difference can be easily seen; 

 the usual tumour of distemper does not appear. The pulse 

 varies ; in some cases but little altered, in others very, quick 

 and weak. The coat is also staring, and the function of 

 the kidneys partially arrested. In severe cases the breath- 

 ing becomes heavy and laborious. By the third or fourth 

 day from the beginning of the attack, a greenish yellow 

 matter is discharged from the nostrils. 



Treatment— The general and local treatment should be 

 similar to that of catarrh, therefore we recommend the free use 

 of counter-irritants to the throat externally, as mustard well 

 rubbed in, or any stimulating liniment or liquid blister maybe 

 used. (See page 211.) The head may be well fomented or 

 steamed, and the patient encouraged to take .soft, easily di- 

 gested food, as hay tea, linseed tea, boiled barley or carrots. 



