348 
THEORY AND TREATMENT OF STRANGLES. 
stable is then pretty much the same; but when, in other seasons, 
the temperature is so many degrees higher within than without 
the stable, strangles and distemper are very common. A horse 
taken up in the summer months is gradually accustomed to the 
stable, without those alternations of temperature to which he 
had not been previously accustomed, and which are so prejudicial 
to him. 
Strangles is certainly a contagious disease. It has been pro¬ 
duced by inoculation, but few became affected in this way : when 
so many young horses become affected at the same time, it is 
because they have been all exposed to other causes far more pre¬ 
valent than contagion. 
The inflammation once established, a distinct hard tumour 
begins to be evident between the jaws, the progress of which 
to suppuration should be assisted ; for if the inflammation does 
not go on to suppuration, and burst, the animal does not recover 
for a considerable time, and the constitution seems to receive 
very serious injury. Fomentations and poultices are the best 
applications; and if no great progress is made by their use, the 
liquid blister may be well rubbed. 
In the early stage, however, and before the tumour is decidedly 
formed, it may be well to consider whether the whole may not 
be got rid of by a blister—whether dispersion and absorption 
may not be produced in the first instance, for the matter or virus 
may then be taken up and carried off; but if the tumour sup¬ 
purates, it becomes a kind of gland, and continues to secrete the 
poison. A blister, which hastens the suppuration when the 
tumour is formed, may be a very useful and effectual repellent in 
an earlier stage. If the tumour is to be brought to suppuration, 
there must be no bleeding; but nutritious diet must be given, 
except there is very great fever; and as soon as the matter is 
evidently formed, the tumour should be lanced ; care, however, 
should be taken that the matter is actually formed, other¬ 
wise the process of suppuration might be suddenly checked by 
the puncture, and the horse might not do well. In cases of 
distemper, where there is no swelling, bleeding and purgatives 
would be highly beneficial. 
The nose-bag will be found very useful in the treatment of 
strangles. 
It is supposed that a horse cannot have strangles more than 
once, and, generally speaking, this is true; but there have been 
some instances in which there has been decidedly a second 
attack. 
