382 Strangles. 



to the lymph glands of the body cavities the diagnosis can be 

 established correctly only with sufficient information regarding 

 the development and the presence of the infection, as the symp- 

 toms proper usually only indicate disturbances of the functions 

 in the neighboring organs. Nevertheless a repeated examina- 

 tion of the urine for the presence of indican may be beneficial 

 in such cases, as its considerable increase points with a degree 

 of certainty to a suppurative process. 



The differentiation of strangles from glanders and the so 

 called suspected strangles will be discussed fully in the diag- 

 nosis of glanders. 



Treatment. Not much can be expected from abortive treat- 

 ment; yet as in some cases the symptoms diminish, and the 

 swelling of the lymph glands retrogresses after antiphlogistic 

 treatment, it is advisable to attempt such treatment if it can 

 be done at the commencement of the disease (cold applications, 

 inunctions with gray mercurial ointment). If however there 

 is no improvement perceptible after a few days, it appears 

 practical to discontinue this treatment, and allow the suppur- 

 ative process a free course. 



If expectant treatment has been decided upon, suitable 

 regulation of the care and nursing, as well as of the diet, should 

 first be carried out. The animals should be placed in clean, 

 and uniformly warm stables, or in warm weather they may 

 during the day be kept out of doors in shady places free of 

 dust. It is advisable to feed the animals, in addition to good 

 hay and some oats a few beets, or during the summer fresh 

 grass, clover or alfalfa; if swallowing is difficult, bran slop is 

 advisable. Sucking foals should be taken to their mother at 

 regular intervals, and during sucking they should be supported; 

 if laowever there is great difficulty in swallowing, artificial feed- 

 ing through the rectum must be considered (see Vol. II). 



Great care should also be exercised in maintaining the 

 greatest possible cleanliness, for which purpose the straw 

 should be removed frequently, the cribs washed during the day, 

 and the purulent excretion should be frequently removed from 

 the nasal openings and the eyes, with clean sponges or cotton 

 swabs, dipped in luke warm water containing boracic acid. Peri- 

 odical rubbing of the body with alcohol has a beneficial effect 

 on the general condition of the patient. 



Swelling of the glands may be left without interference, 

 or if the progress of suppuration is too slow it may be stimu- 

 lated with warm or moist warm poultices. Counter irritants, 

 which are frequently applied in such cases (cantharides oint- 

 ment, mustard dough, etc.) have a doubtful value, and may 

 easily cause severe inflammatory swellings, especially if they 

 are applied in the region of the throat. If fluctuation is percep- 

 tible at any part of the swelling which is indicated by the soften- 

 ing, the abscess should be opened without delay. Although the 

 pus ultimately works its way to the outside of its own accord, the 



