The illustrated horse doctor : $b being an accurate and detailed account of the various diseases to which the equine race are subjectedMayhew, Edward
Science
The illustrated horse doctor : $b being an accurate and detailed account of the various diseases to which the equine race are subjected
Mayhew, Edward
Horses -- Diseases
Every case of strangles will not be settled so readily. Occasionally the
soreness of the internal throat will cause much annoyance. The animal is
continually gulping its saliva. When it attempts to drink, the fluid flows
back through the nostrils. The animal will not eat, and the strangles
or tumor may threaten to be absorbed. In such cases the food must be
carefully prepared. No mashes, made by merely pouring hot water into
a pailful of bran, stirring it round once or twice and splashing the
mess into the manger, will now do. Even malt mashes will not answer the
purpose. Good gruel must be carefully prepared and frequently changed.
The drink must also be varied, so as to tempt the sick stomach,--as a
general rule, equal parts of grits, (not oatmeal,) linseed meal, bean
or pea flour, may constitute the ingredients. Let the drink be always
just warm when placed before the animal. Sometimes clover-hay, or simple
hay tea, may form the basis of the drink; sometimes one or other of the
constituents may be withdrawn. Too much care cannot be taken of the horse
at this period. Good nursing is now the most effectual, as well as the
cheapest medicine; and all warranted expense at this time is a saving
in the end. The breathing also is frequently most acutely distressed.
In severe cases the symptoms are so alarming as to demand the immediate
performance of tracheotomy. This the surgeon is forced to have recourse
to, although at the time he knows it will only be temporarily required.
When, though distressing, the disease is not of so fearful a character,
relief may be sometimes obtained by mingling steam with the air which the
animal inhales, and casting upon the source of vapor ten or fifteen drops
of the etherial tincture of phosphorus. This last artifice may be renewed
every quarter of an hour should it appear to afford even the slightest
relief.
Avoid physic as much as possible. In strangles, purge and kill is the
rule. Open the bowels, if it be imperative, by green-meat; if that should
not answer, let them alone, however confined they may be. Let the fever
rage, but do not potter with one drug and another "_to cool_" the body.
[Illustration: A BAD CASE OF STRANGLES.]
Some horses suffer terribly when they have strangles. The reasons for
such a difference have not hitherto been ascertained; but doubtless
science will one day discover them. In bad cases the tumor appears under
the throat, but it is larger than usual, and longer in maturating than
is customary. Tears, frequently mingled with pus, flow from the eyes; a
copious discharge runs from the nose; the pendulous lips are disfigured by
long bands of thick saliva; the coat is dull, erect, and rusty; the heavy
lids close the sight; often the nostrils become dropsical; the breathing
is fearful; the tumor presses against the larynx, and a roaring sound is
audible at each inspiration.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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