2 4 DISEASES OF THE DOMESTIC ANIMALS 



Strangles in Horses. 



Strangles is seen more often in young animals, is communicated 

 through the air by a specific germ, and appears frequently as an 

 epizootic affection. Bad hygiene and sudden changes of tempera- 

 ture in spring and fall predispose. It is characterized by fever, 

 anorexia, dulness and weakness with nasal discharge, and its pe- 

 culiar feature consists in inflammation, followed usually by suppur- 

 ation, of the submaxillary glands. 



Complications are most numerous, as pharyngitis, laryngitis, 

 bronchitis, pneumonia and inflammation of the accessory nasal 

 sinus's and guttural pouches. An eruption of wheals, papules, 

 vesicles or pustules is common. Suppuration of various lymph nodes 

 and internal organs, with pyemia, is not rare. Vesicles and minute 

 ulcers may form in the nasal mucous membranes. 



Treatment of strangles is hygienic and symptomatic. Isolation 

 of the sick in a roomy, airy box-stall and disinfection and thorough 

 cleansing of the premises, after removal of the sick, should be done. 

 The diet should be laxative and easily digestible, as gruels, mashes, 

 steamed oats, grass, roots, with milk and eggs and alcohol, if there 

 is anorexia and much weakness. 



The glands may be treated by blistering the swelling, as soon 

 as it appears, with an ointment of red iodide of mercury (1—4), 

 which may even lead to abortion of the inflammation. Hot flax- 

 seed poultices frequently changed should be applied if the swelling 

 persists and progresses, and opening of the abscess should be done 

 when it is fully " ripe ". The after-treatment consists in syringing 

 the cavity with normal salt solution and hydrogen peroxide and 

 later in the use of Peruvian balsam. Induration persisting after 

 healing may be resolved by the application of a fly blister. The 

 treatment for the other complications may be found under their 

 respective names. Steaming of the nostrils, as recommended under 

 coryza, is generally advisable. Tracheotomy is required when the 

 breathing becomes impeded by obstruction in or about the larynx. 



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