Special Report on Diseases of the HorseUnited States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Science
Special Report on Diseases of the Horse
United States. Bureau of Animal Industry
Horses -- Diseases
_Pathology._--Sunstroke, virtually active congestion of the brain, often
accompanied with effusion and blood extravasation, characterizes this
condition, with often rapid and fatal lowering of all the vital
functions. In many instances the death may be due to the complete
stagnation in the circulation of the brain, inducing anemia, or want of
nourishment of that organ. In other cases it may be directly due to the
excessive compression of the nerve matter controlling the heart's
action, and cause paralysis of that organ. There are also changes in the
composition of the blood.
_Treatment._--The animal should be placed in shaded surroundings. Under
no circumstances is blood-letting permissible in sunstroke. Ice or very
cold water should be applied to the head and along the spine, and half
an ounce of carbonate of ammonia or 6 ounces of whisky should be given
in 1 pint of water. Cold water may be used as an enema and should also
be showered upon the body of the horse from the hose or otherwise. This
should be continued until the temperature is down to 103 deg. F. Brisk
friction of the limbs and the application of spirits of camphor often
yields good results. The administration of the stimulants should be
repeated in one hour if the pulse has not become stronger and slower. In
either case, when reaction has occurred, preparations of iron and
general tonics may be given during convalescence: Sulphate of iron, 1
dram; gentian, 3 drams; red cinchona bark, 2 drams; mix and give in feed
morning and evening.
_Prevention._--In very hot weather horses should have wet sponges or
light sunshades on the head when at work, or the head may be sponged
with cold water as many times a day as possible. Proper attention should
be given to feeding and watering, never in excess. During the warm
months all stables should be cool and well ventilated, and if an animal
is debilitated from exhaustive work or disease it should receive such
treatment as will tend to build up the system. Horses should be
permitted to drink as much water as they want while they are at work
during hot weather.
An animal which has been affected with sunstroke is very liable to have
subsequent attacks when exposed to the necessary exciting causes.
APOPLEXY OR CEREBRAL HEMORRHAGE.
Apoplexy is often confounded with cerebral congestion, but true apoplexy
always consists in rupture of cerebral blood vessels, with blood
extravasation and formation of blood clot.
_Causes._--Two causes are involved in the production of apoplexy, the
predisposing and the exciting. The predisposing cause is degeneration,
or disease which weakens the blood vessel; the exciting cause is any one
which tends to induce cerebral congestion.
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