112 DISEASES OF THE HOKSB. 



BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE. 



This often occurs during the course of certain diseases, namely, 

 influenza, bronchitis, purpura hemorrhagica, glanders, etc. But it 

 also occurs independent of other affections ; and, as before mentioned, 

 is a symptom of polypus, or tumor, in the nose. 



Injuries to the head, exertion, violent sneezing — causing a rupture 

 of a small blood vessel — also induce it. The bleeding is almost inva- 

 riably from one nostril only, and is never very serious. The blood 

 escapes in drops (very seldom in a stream) and is not frothy, as when 

 the hemorrhage is from the lungs. (See Bleeding from the lungs, 

 p. 136.) In most cases bathing the head and washing out the nostril 

 with cold water are all that is necessary. If the cause is known, you 

 will be guided according to circumstances. If the bleeding continues, 

 pour ice-cold water over the face, between the eyes and down over 

 the nasal chambers. A bag containing ice in small pieces applied to 

 the head is often efficient. If in spite of these measures the hemor- 

 rhage continues, try plugging the nostrils with cotton, tow, or oakum. 

 Tie a string around the plug before it is pushed up into the nostril, 

 so that it can be safely withdrawn after four or five hours. If both 

 nostrils are bleeding, plug only one nostril at a time. If the hemor- 

 rhage is profuse and persistent, give a drench composed of 1 dram of 

 acetate of lead dissolved in 1 pint of water ; or ergot, 1 ounce. 



INFLAMMATION OF THE PHARYNX. 



As already stated, the pharynx is common to the functions of both 

 respiration and alimentation. From this organ the air passes into the 

 larynx and thence onward to the lungs. In the posterior part of the 

 pharynx is the superior extremity of the gullet, the canal through 

 which the food and water pass to the stomach. Inflammation of tha 

 pharynx is a complication of other diseases— namely, influenza, 

 strangles, etc. — and is probably always more or less complicated with 

 inflammation of the larynx. That it may exist as an independent 

 affection there is no reason to doubt, and it is discussed as such with 

 the diseases of the digestive tract. 



SORE THROAT, OR LARYNGITIS. 



The larynx is situated in -the space between the lower jawbones just 

 back of the root of the tongue. It may be considered as a box (some- 

 what depressed on each side) , composed principally of cartilages and 

 small muscles, and lined on the inside with a continuation of the 

 respiratory mucous membrane. Posteriorly it opens into and is contin- 

 uous with the windpipe. It is the organ of the voice, the vocal cords 

 being situated within it ; but in the horse this function is of little con- 

 sequence. It dilates and contracts to a certain extent, thus regulating 

 the volume of air passing through it. The mucous membrane lining 

 Digitized by Microsoft® 



