Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 1 (of 5)Law, James
Science
Text book of veterinary medicine, Volume 1 (of 5)
Law, James
Veterinary medicine
The Chick Vetch (Lathyrus Cicera) should be excluded from the fodder of
horses or used in small proportion only. In man it is found to be
injurious when it forms a twelfth part of the bread used and gives rise
to paralysis if it amounts to a third (Aitken).
_Palliative and Curative treatment._ Medicinal treatment will prove
useless in the great majority of cases: as for example in paralysis and
degeneration of the muscles, in ossifications, fractures, or distortions
of the cartilages, etc., etc. Nevertheless where there is merely
thickening of the membrane of the larynx alterative and tonic treatment
may be successful especially if associated with iodine ointment or
active blisters applied to the throat. A case is reported by Dupuy in
which a course of arsenic cured. In these cases as well as in those due
to ulceration of the membrane the application of caustic by means of a
staff and sponge as advised in laryngitis may prove beneficial. In some
cases of this kind the application of the firing iron to the region of
the larynx has an excellent effect. Setons have proved useful in some
cases.
In cases due to tumors or enlarged glands pressing on the air passages
the internal use of iodine and other alteratives and diuretics, and the
local applications of iodine, or mercurial ointments or of blisters have
been successful. Failing in this the tumors may be removed with the
knife when accessible.
If by auscultation the existence and position of a band of lymph can be
made out, tracheotomy may be performed and the band excised. Percivall
with reason doubts the possibility of the diagnosis.
In cases due to distortion of the larynx from tight reining the bearing
reins should be dispensed with or rearranged so as to encourage
protrusion of the nose, and the horse should be bitted to the side
chains or straps in the stall several hours daily so that the head shall
be elevated and the nose protruded.
When _roaring_ depends on paralysis of the laryngeal muscles, a mode of
palliation may be adopted as practised by the London omnibus and cab
men. A strap is fixed round the nose supported by a strap passing down
the middle of the face and the cheek piece of the bridle on each side
and buckled beneath the chin. On the inner side of this strap where it
passes over the false nostrils is attached on each side a semiovoid pad
which presses on the flap of the nostril and regulates the entrance of
air. The principle on which it acts will be understood when we consider
that the paralyzed cartilage is drawn into the passage by the rush of
air and that the closure of the channel is more complete and the roaring
more marked in proportion to the force of the current. The pads by
lessening and regulating the rush of air into the lungs thus leave the
passage in reality more open and largely obviate the difficulty of
breathing and the noise.
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