SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF VARIOUS DISEASES.
ABSCESS.
Symptoms.—The result of a bruise or blood impurities; is attended by pain, heat, and swelling, with in time a soft or fluctuating part on its surface from which the hair falls off.
Treatment.—Open with a knife at the soft point and free of matter; then hot fomentations or poultices are sometimes required; apply twice a day carbolic acid, 1 part; water, 20 parts.
BLADDER IRRITATION.
Symptoms.—Restlessness; frequent straining; protruding penis; passing small quantities of urine at short intervals.
Treatment.—Rest; plenty of water and mucilaginous fluids, with ½ ounce bicarbonate of soda or potash; warm rugs over loins; a pint of linseed-oil if laxative is required.
BLADDER INFLAMMATION.
Symptoms.—Similar to bladder irritation, but more aggravated; considerable fever, indicated by quick pulse; high temperature; arching of back; whisking tail; frequent straining; passing a few drops of urine at short intervals, generally thickly colored, with ropy mucus and pus, and sometimes blood.
Treatment.—If bladder be distended, use gentle manipulation and pressure per rectum. This failing, use catheter. Apply hot blanket to the loins, and when removed rub that part with embrocation of oil, 6 ounces; strong solution of ammonia, 1 ounce; and tincture of opium, 2 ounces. Give mucilaginous drinks, such as linseed-tea, hay-tea, etc., and cooling, laxative food. After relieving congestion give ½ ounce bicarbonate of soda two or three times a day in the drink.
BOWELS, INFLAMMATION OF (ENTERITIS).
Symptoms.—Similar to those of colic, only there is more distress, and the pain is continuous, and not in paroxysms, as is the case in colic; the body is covered with perspiration; pulse quick and small; extremities cold instead of warm, as in colic.
Treatment.—Powdered opium, 2 drachms in watery solution; belladonna, 2 drachms; linseed-oil, 1 pint. Following this give 10 drops tincture of aconite and ½ drachm powdered opium in watery solution every two hours. Frequent enemas of tepid water; mustard or very hot water to abdomen; hand-rub and bandage legs; clothe warmly. Bran mashes and bran gruel for a short time after recovery. Exercise great care and give simple diet for some days.
BRONCHITIS, INFLAMMATION OF THE TUBES OF THE LUNGS.
Symptoms.—The first day quick breathing, with whistling sound on listening at side of chest, or a deeper and more noisy sound at front of chest; pulse harder and quicker than normal; breathing quickened; nostril red and inflamed. About second day increased secretion of mucus and suppressed cough; pulse decreased in volume and more rapid; breathing hurried; dilated nostril; heaving flank.
Treatment.—Place animal in airy box and clothe warmly; bandage legs; bran mash. If legs be unequal in warmth and coat inclined to stare, give, night and morning, 1 ounce spirits nitric ether, 4 ounces acetate of ammonia, 8 ounces water.
If disease unmistakably sets in, give 1 drachm carbonate of ammonia, or ½ ounce sweet spirits of nitre, or sulphuric ether, every 4 to 6 hours. If inclined to drink, ½ ounce nitre dissolved in each half pail of water until the kidneys act freely. Have animal inhale steam from bucketful of boiling water and tablespoonful of oil of turpentine poured over hay. If constipated, 2 ounces Epsom salts, 1 ounce nitrate of potassa, until slight effect is produced. Foment chest with blanket wrung out of hot water, and also sides. After each application slightly stimulate by rubbing with weak ammonia liniment (1 part liquid ammonia sesquicarbonate to 3 parts olive-oil.)
BURNS.
Treatment.—Cover with cosmoline, 10 parts, carbolic acid, 1 part, or with rags soaked in olive-oil to which a little sugar of lead has been added; or dust thickly with starch or flour and cover with cotton-wool; or liniment of equal parts of limewater and linseed-oil (carron-oil).
COLIC, SPASMODIC.
Symptoms.—The attack usually comes on suddenly; the horse paws, kicks his belly, looks at his flanks, moves about uneasily, throws himself down violently and groans, rolls, lies on his back, jumps up and oftentimes commences eating. The extremities continue warm, and between the paroxysms the pulse is normal.
Treatment.—1 ounce chloral hydrate in ½ pint of water—repeat in an hour if necessary; or 1 ounce tincture of opium and 1 ounce sweet spirits of nitre in ½ pint of cold water, repeated every half-hour until well; or 1½ ounces opium and 2 ounces alcohol in ½ pint water—repeat in one hour if necessary.
Administer enema of warm water in which a little soap is dissolved. Should constipation be the cause, give aloes in solution, 5 to 8 drachms, or 1 pint of linseed-oil. Apply hot blanket to abdomen. Have animal walked about or belly well hand-rubbed, and give ½ pint of whiskey, or brandy, or any stimulant in pint of water if drugs be not at hand.
In Flatulent Colic, when the bowels are distended by gas, detected by bloated appearance and resonance on percussion, give promptly baking-soda, 2 to 4 ounces; if this fails, give carbonate of ammonia in ½-ounce doses every half-hour, or chloral hydrate, 1 ounce in ½ pint of water.
Physic with 5 to 8 drachms Barbadoes aloes or 1 pint linseed-oil. Frequent enemas of turpentine, 1 to 2 ounces, and linseed-oil, 8 ounces. Apply hot blankets.
CONSTIPATION.
Symptoms.—Uneasiness; distended abdomen; pulse and respiration nearly normal.
Treatment.—Copious enemas of tepid water and a little soap. Dose of linseed-oil, 1½ pints. Sloppy food; slow exercise.
[CORNS].
Symptoms.—These bruises of the foot or heel are commonly caused by improper shoeing, or leaving shoes on too long until they become imbedded. They are usually on fore feet, in that part of the sole included in the angle between the bar and the outside wall of the hoof.
Treatment.—If lame and when the spot is pared there be matter, foment and poultice until lameness has disappeared. Then shoe with bar-shoe resting on frog, the spot being relieved by cutting away horn.
[CRACKED HEELS] (SCRATCHES).
Symptoms.—This is an inflammation of the oil-and sweat-glands of the skin, due to exposure, irritants, mud, filth, cold, washing heels with inferior soaps, cold draughts on heels, standing in slush or snow.
Treatment.—Remove hair; poultice with warm bran and charcoal, and keep clean; apply ointment—acetate of lead 1 part, lard 3 parts. If sores be deep and painful, put on shoes with high heels. Feed cooling, laxative food.
[CURB.]
Symptoms.—Sprain of the superior straight ligament at the back of the hock-joint. It looks like a swollen knot a few inches below the hock.
Treatment.—Reduce inflammation by hot fomentations, and after it has subsided apply biniodide ointment (biniodide of mercury 1 part, lard 12 parts), or a liniment composed of 2 parts of soap liniment and 1 of tincture of iodine. If there be much thickening, blister.
DISTEMPER.
Symptoms.—See [Strangles].
FARCY.
Farcy of a specific nature is identical with glanders, and is incurable.
FISTULA.
Symptoms.—Fistula of withers is ordinarily due to badly fitting collars or saddles, or to bruises.
Treatment.—If very slight, remove all pressure at that point (rest if possible), and bathe with salt water or muriate of ammonia frequently. If more advanced, use hot fomentations. If matter forms, make free opening for its escape at lowest point. Treat with solution of sulphate of zinc. When the sore becomes healthy, and the core removed, use carbolic dressing and keep clean. Should it break out again, inject the abscess with a solution of sulphate of zinc 20 grains to the ounce of water every second or third day until entirely healed.
[FOOT INFLAMMATION.]
Symptoms.—Brought on by founder, hard driving, lack of moisture to hoofs, indigestion and fevers, punctures, bruises, etc. Manifested by increased temperature of foot, pain on moderate percussion with hammer around the wall of hoof towards clenches and heel (the opposite foot being held up), and firm pressure by pincers around margin of hoof after removal of shoe.
Treatment.—After locating the injury remove surrounding horn freely to prevent formation of, or to give vent to, any matter. Place foot in hot water for one hour, and then poultice. Dress with tar and tow.
[FOUNDER.]
Symptoms.—Laminitis, or acute founder, consists of inflammation of the laminæ by which the hoof is attached to the sensitive foot, caused by hard driving, leaving heated horse to stand in snow, standing in cold draughts, too much grain and cold water afterwards.
The animal evinces much distress and can scarcely be made to move, and when compelled to stir does so with great difficulty and pain, putting heels of fore feet to the ground and bringing hind feet forward under body. The feet are very hot and intensely painful, and the slightest percussion causes great agony. In standing the fore feet are advanced if they are affected (most frequently the case). If they are drawn under the body, the trouble is in the hind feet.
Treatment.—Give 1 pint of linseed-oil; remove shoes, then stand in cold water or wet clay most of the time for two or three days, and make cold applications to legs. Poultice if necessary. Then compel animal to take exercise on soft, damp ground, at first slowly and for short distances. If tenderness remains after inflammation has passed, blister around coronet, and continue exercise on damp ground. Blister may be repeated every nine days if necessary.
Be careful to apply blister (cantharides 1 part, olive-oil 6 or 8 parts) only on protuberant band which extends for a finger's breadth above the hoof, and not on pasterns.
Feed bran mashes and grass. Place bucket of water containing ½ ounce nitre near by if animal be feverish, so that he may drink.
GALLS (see SORES).
Treatment.—Remove the cause and bathe the spot with Castile soap and cold water as often as possible. If this does not succeed, a root will appear at the centre of the gall, the edges of which will be clear, the sitfast holding only by the root. Pull it out with pincers; bathe frequently with cold water. A little oil or grease, free from salt, or carbolic acid 1 part, glycerine 15 parts, may be rubbed lightly on the parts as they begin to heal.
When the sore becomes healthy, cleanse thoroughly and apply 1 part iodoform, 3 parts sulphur. If necessary to use the animal, cover with old-fashioned sticking-plaster, after putting on the powder just indicated. If possible, the collar or saddle should not bear on the spot.
GLANDERS.
Before a horse is destroyed for either glanders or farcy he should, as soon as suspected, be separated from all the other animals, and every precaution taken to prevent the spread of the disease. When the disease is definitely determined, destroy the animal at once, burn all articles of clothing, brushes, brooms, etc., and have other articles, equipments, stalls, etc., thoroughly disinfected.
Bear in mind that this terrible disease is highly contagious, and easily communicated to man.
Symptoms.—The three characteristic signs are:
1st. A peculiar transparent, glutinous, and continuous discharge, usually from one nostril, which accumulates and entangles all kinds of filth. This discharge is at first thin and aqueous, but soon assumes the characteristic glary condition, and is generally of a straw-color, but in very late stages becomes more purulent.
2d. Ulceration of the mucous membranes of the nostrils. Before ulceration takes place in the nostrils the membrane of the part usually assumes a dingy leaden or slate color, often in patches, and the other parts highly injected.
The ultimate symptom, leaving no doubt of the character of the disease, is the formation of true ulcers in the nostrils.
The ulceration usually commences with a small vesicle on the membrane, which after a few days bursts, leaving a small unhealthy ulcer, which has no disposition to heal, but, on the contrary, gradually spreads and deepens. The nostril first affected by discharge is generally first affected by ulceration.
After the formation of ulcers the discharge is often tinged with blood, and becomes offensive.
3d. The submaxillary gland, in the channel formed between the lower jaw-bones, becomes swollen and painful, but, as a rule, shows no inclination to suppurate. It soon becomes hard and firmly attached to the jawbone, and ceases to be painful on the application of pressure.
On any one of the above-enumerated symptoms appearing, at once isolate the animal; have bedding destroyed, and carefully remove all clothing, stable utensils, etc., from the vicinity of other horses. Place a steady man in charge, and warn him of his personal danger.
[GREASE.]
Symptoms.—A diseased state of the skin of the legs, more especially the hind ones, caused by uncleanliness or washing with cold water and not properly drying them afterwards. In the early stages it consists of intolerable itching, followed by an inflammation of the sweat-glands, and an offensive oily discharge. The heels feel hot and greasy.
Treatment.—Trim hair; poultice with warm bran and charcoal for several days, changing twice a day, and cleaning with sponge and tepid water each time; or apply a flaxseed poultice over which has been poured some lotion consisting of sugar of lead ½ oz., carbolic acid 1 drachm, water 1 quart. Then, if animal is not weak, give a dose of purgative medicine, and when it has acted apply to the heels a dressing of vaseline 1 oz., oxide of zinc 2 drachms, iodized phenol 20 drops; or equal parts of sulphate of zinc and sugar of lead in water; or carbolic acid 1 part, glycerine 20 parts, applied with a brush and covered with lint and bandage, is good after poulticing. When the frog is affected, pare to the quick and dress with dry caustic powders (quicklime, copperas, bluestone) or carbolic acid, and put on tight bandage, the dressing being renewed every day at least. When there is any tendency to inflammation or ulceration of skin of heels in bad weather, dress with lard or tallow, or lard 8 parts and alum 1 part.
HIDE-BOUND.
Symptoms.—The hide becomes tightly drawn over the flesh, and the coat hard and staring.
Treatment.—Aloes 1½ oz., sulphur 3½ oz., ginger ½ oz., linseed-meal ½ oz. Make into six balls, and give one night and morning.
[HOOF-BOUND].
Symptoms.—This is the result of some preceding disease of the foot, giving rise to an atrophy of the flesh structures of the foot, allowing the wall to fall in and become contracted.
Treatment.—Stand in moist place; apply blistering liquid (powdered cantharides 1 part, olive-oil 6 to 8 parts) to coronet.
[HOCK-LAMENESS.]
This applies to a variety of diseases, such as bog-and blood-spavin, bone-spavin, curb, sprained ligaments, etc., all of which give rise to lameness.
Treatment.—Rest; hot fomentations to allay inflammation; hand-rubbing and blistering are used according to circumstances.
INFLUENZA.
Symptoms.—This specific epizoötic fever of a low type, associated with inflammation of the respiratory mucous membrane, begins very suddenly with marked fever; great dulness and extreme weakness; headache; limbs stiff and weak; pulse quickened; eyelids swollen and tearful, and, if inverted, appear pink or dark red; disinclination to move; legs swollen; short, painful cough, betraying soreness of throat; difficulty in swallowing; hurried breathing (if breathing hurried and nostrils dilated, inflammation of lungs is to be apprehended); sometimes discharge from nostrils, as in catarrh, or there may be only a thin, yellowish, transparent fluid from the nostrils. If bowels are involved, the horse exhibits symptoms of abdominal pain. If liver is also involved, the lining membrane of the eyelid will be a yellowish-red hue. Constipation or diarrhœa almost invariably present.
Treatment.—Isolate; rest; nurse carefully. Box stall where the temperature should be about 60°; clothe, hand-rub and bandage legs so as to maintain normal temperature. Rub throat and well towards ears with liniment made of soap liniment 2 oz., compound camphor liniment 2 oz., and tincture of opium ½ oz.
(Soap liniment is composed of soft-soap 4 oz., camphor 1 oz., proof spirits 2 pints, solution of ammonia ½ pint. Compound-camphor liniment is composed of camphor 1 oz., olive-oil 2 oz.)
If cough is severe, steam nostrils with bucket of boiling water and tablespoonful of turpentine poured over hay. Should there be constipation without symptoms of bowel complications, give injection of soap-suds and mild dose of Epsom salts, but not otherwise. If diarrhœa be present, do not check unless it increases the debility, and then give starch or flour gruel with an ounce or two of prepared chalk.
If abdominal pain be great, apply hot blankets; same to chest if involved. Quinine in 20-grain doses four or five times a day.
Give saline agents, such as 1½ oz. sulphate of magnesia; or 1 oz. hyposulphate of soda; or 4 oz. acetate of ammonia with 1 oz. nitric ether, once or twice a day.
Gruel of bran or oatmeal with a little nitre therein, or cold water with nitre for drink. Bran mash and scalded oats for food.
[LAMENESS.]
Lameness, when in the foot, is indicated by the animal pointing; in the shoulder by the animal dragging or swinging the limb in a rotary manner.
In the majority of cases it is below the knee when in the fore leg, and in the hock-joint when in the hind leg.
Examine carefully, and have the animal trotted slowly both towards and from you. If the lameness be in front the animal drops on the well quarter, and throws his head up when the unsound leg is placed on the ground. If lame behind he hitches up the lame quarter, and nods the head when the sound leg is placed on the ground. Then determine location. If in foot, the lameness is more apparent on hard than on soft ground. If lame elsewhere, it will be as apparent, and probably more apparent, on soft as on hard ground (except in splint and other exostoses), and is usually some sprain of a ligament between knee and fetlock in fore leg, and in hock of hind leg. (See [Corns]; [Cracked Heels]; [Curb]; [Foot Inflammation]; [Founder]; [Grease]; [Hock Lameness]; [Hoof-bound].)
LAMPAS.
Symptoms.—Swollen condition of roof of mouth caused by cold, indigestion, or growing teeth.
Treatment.—Laxative food, and even a mild dose of laxative medicine if required. Rub mouth with salt or a little alum and water.
LARYNGITIS (INFLAMMATION OF THE THROAT).
Symptoms.—Sore throat consists of inflammation of head of windpipe, indicated by cough and difficulty in swallowing; hot and tender in region of gullet; the least pressure may produce paroxysms of coughing; pulse quick, respiration somewhat hurried.
Treatment.—Place in box stall where atmosphere is warm and moist; avoid cold air; hot-water fomentations, and rub throat with ammonia liniment (1 part liquid ammonia, 1 part cantharides, 2 parts olive oil;) soft laxative food or grass, no hay; sponge throat with solution of nitrate of silver 10 grains to 1 oz. of water; steam nostrils every 15 minutes with bucket of boiling water and tablespoonful of turpentine poured over hay. No laxative medicine if avoidable. Use enemas, and if necessary give 2 oz. Epsom salts in a pint of water with two drams of ginger night and morning for several days.
Keep temperature of body normal by clothing, and give febrifuges in the form of small doses of ½ dram belladonna and 1 oz. nitre made into a soft ball or dissolved in water.
MANGE.
Symptoms.—An eruptive disease, very contagious; usually most severe in winter; ordinarily induced by inattention to cleanliness or contagion. Indicated by itching, hair falling off, skin becoming dry, wrinkled, and scaly, with raw spots and cracks over the body.
Treatment.—If coat be long it may be necessary to clip it. Wash well with warm water and soap; apply paraffine oil daily and allow to dry; or sulphur and linseed oil well rubbed in; or oil of tar and sulphur 2 oz. each, and linseed oil 1 pint. After treating a few days, use sal soda ¼ lb. to one gallon of hot water to wash off body and clean skin.
NAVICULAR DISEASE.
Symptoms.—Consists of sprain of the flexor tendon, or its sheath, as it passes over navicular bone, giving rise to inflammation of the joint.
If foot-lameness exists without apparent cause, animal points fore foot without resting hind quarters, wears away toe, goes up hill sounder than he goes down, feet, as a rule, contracted and hotter than usual, we may suspect navicular disease.
Treatment.—Rest; allow frog to bear on ground; cold poultices, or stand in cold water or on clay tempered with salt and water; laxative food. In a week blister around coronet and in hollow of heel.
This disease can only be alleviated, not cured.
OPHTHALMIA (SORE EYES).
Symptoms.—May arise from undue exposure to sun, cold, wind, dust, etc. Foreign substances usually lodge under the upper eyelid. The eyelids are swollen, tears running down face, with intolerance of light.
Treatment.—Bathe with warm water; dress daily with tincture of opium 2 drams, sulphate of zinc 4 grs., or alum 6 grs. and water 1 oz., and shade eyes with wide bandage suspended from brow-band. Keep in dark stable and avoid using in bright sunlight.
If feverish, give bran mashes. Bathe with cold water if unable to obtain warm.
PARALYSIS OF HIND QUARTERS.
Symptoms.—Partial or complete loss of voluntary motion of the parts, usually brought on by high feeding and no exercise.
Treatment.—1 dram powdered nux vomica twice a day; good nursing; easily digested food; dose of Glauber salts.
PHARYNGITIS (SORE THROAT).
Treatment.—Rub the throat with turpentine liniment (equal parts of turpentine and olive oil).
PLEURISY.
Symptoms.—One side of chest generally affected, especially at first. When independent of pneumonia it generally begins suddenly with shivering; breathing quick and shallow; nostrils dilated; respiration short and quick; regular elevated line or ridge along the lower border of the ribs from the point of the hip to the lower part of the sternum; fever; short, dry, painful cough; sighing grunt occasionally or when turned around; in early stages if ear be applied to chest a sound like rubbing dry hands together will be heard; pulse hard and wiry, at first about 60, runs to 80, and in bad cases to 100 and over, but not so full and oppressed as in pneumonia; restless and looks at side with anxious eye of pain; paws the ground; does not lie down, but attempts to do so; temperature of extremities irregular. Portions may be cold, others hot. In the second stage the friction sound in chest disappears; cough loose and moist; extremities for a time warm; pulse less frequent, smaller, and weaker; breathing less labored; membrane of nostril loses redness.
Treatment.—Roomy stable free from draughts; foment with blankets steeped in hot water and wrung out, as in pneumonia; continue this for some time, and when discontinued rub dry, and after four or five days, when acute stage has somewhat subsided, apply to sides liniment composed of olive oil 2 oz., tinct. cantharides 1 oz., solution of ammonia 1 oz., on alternate days. This liniment is not applied until the pain manifested by restlessness has subsided; clothe body. If legs be cold, hand-rub and flannel bandage. From the beginning give the following drench every six hours: solution of acetate of ammonia 3 oz., spirits of nitrous ether 1 oz., bicarbonate of potassium 3 drams, water 1 pint. In the beginning of the attack, if pain so severe as to cause animal to lie down or paw, give tincture of opium 2 oz.; raw linseed oil 12 oz.; laxative food; 2 oz. sulphate of soda or 1 oz. nitrate of potassa in a bucket of water to drink, and renew as often as necessary; if constipated, 2 oz. Epsom salts dissolved in water with ½ oz. nitrate of potassa twice a day; or enemas of warm water may be all that is necessary.
The treatment during fever and if debilitated is as for pneumonia; in fact the general treatment is the same, except the time of applying liniment.
PNEUMONIA.
Symptoms.—Usually begins with sudden shivering, followed by coldness of ears and extremities; other signs of inflammation; staring coat. The coldness of extremities is a marked sign throughout the disease. Animal uneasy; turns head frequently to chest; pulse oppressed and quick, generally about 60 at commencement, becomes quicker, and may run to 100, gradually becoming smaller in volume; temperature rises rapidly, frequently to 104° or 105° F.; cough may or may not be present. In early stages nasal linings paler than usual, but become purplish and then of leaden hue; respiration disturbed at once; animal persistently stands with fore legs wide apart and elbows out; never lies down except for a moment at a time, or in extremis; head inclined downwards, nose protruded, nostrils dilated.
In early stages a confused humming noise accompanied by a harsh, dry murmur is heard when ear is applied to chest; as the inflammation progresses the dry murmur gives way to a moist rattle.
Treatment.—Box stall free from draughts; plenty of fresh air; blanket body; rub and bandage legs twice a day; plenty of drinking-water near at all times; rub affected side with liniment (2 oz. olive oil, 1 oz. tincture of cantharides, 1 oz. solution of ammonia), and repeat in four or five days. If weather not too cold and great care can be taken, first apply closely to chest, every half hour for four or five hours, a blanket wrung out of hot water, and wrap a dry one over it; afterwards rub on the above liniment, and cover closely with a blanket. Do not use mustard. No purgatives, but give laxative diet, scalded oats, bran, and linseed mashes. If necessary, give enemas of warm water three or four times a day.
Every six hours give solution of acetate of ammonia 3 oz., spirits of nitrous ether 1 oz., bicarbonate of potassium 3 drams, water 1 pint. If this cannot be done, put 3 drams bi-carbonate of potassium into every bucketful of water he will drink.
Give every three hours during fever 1 dram quinine in capsule, or mixed with a little linseed meal and molasses.
If much debilitated, 6 oz. whiskey in 1 pint of water every four or five hours.
PURGING.
In cases of excessive purging, either from disease or an overdose of medicine, use extract of catechu 1 dram, cinnamon 1 dram, powdered opium ½ dram. This may be repeated two or three times a day, thick wheaten gruel being given at the same time.
PUNCTURES FROM SHOEING.
Symptoms.—If inflammation be present, the foot will be very hot, and when standing still the animal continually rests it or moves it about uneasily and is afraid to put his weight on it. If tapped with a hammer on the spot, or if the sole and wall at the part be pressed by pincers, suffering is manifested.
Treatment.—Remove shoe; pare sole over injury until quite thin; make opening between sole and wall with a small drawing-knife across the track of the nail to relieve pressure and form an exit for matter; then put foot in bucket of hot water for an hour or so, and afterwards hot poultice. When lameness has disappeared, reshoe, leaving out nail at injured point and filling up the cavity with tar and tow.
QUITTOR.
Symptoms.—In all cases in which matter forms in the foot, whether from pricks, corns, or bruises, unless it has free opening to escape by it acts as an irritant, extending in every direction in sinuses, and finally works its way to the coronet, where it bursts and forms a fistulous sore.
Treatment.—Foment; apply poultice; when abscess opens, keep washed with carbolic acid. Keep open until internal disease is thoroughly eradicated; then keep clean with cold water and dress with sulphate of copper, iron, or zinc, 5 grains of either to 1 oz. of water; or carbolic acid 20 drops in glycerine 20 drops, and added to 1 oz. of water. For treads or wounds on coronet between hair and hoof, and when the sore has become healthy in case of quittor, a good treatment is common turpentine and hog's lard, equal parts melted together. Spread on tow and bind on wound with bandage.
RINGWORM.
Symptoms.—This contagious disease is due to the presence of a parasite in the skin, and is manifested by the hair falling out in circular patches.
Treatment.—Dress patches with blistering ointment (powdered cantharides 1 part, lard 6 parts), or with tar dressing as for mange.
RHEUMATISM.
A peculiar form of inflammation attacking the fibrous structures of the body.
Treatment.—Laxative food; 6 drachms of aloes, 1 drachm of calomel, as a cathartic; 1 oz. bicarbonate of soda, followed daily by a dose half that amount with ½ oz. nitrate of potash; if these fail, give 2 drachms of iodide of potassium in addition. Foment with hot water to which poppy-heads have been added, dry thoroughly, and apply flannel bandages. Clothe warmly. Keep quiet.
SAND-CRACK.
Symptoms.—A split in the wall of the hoof commencing on top near the coronet and extending downward.
Treatment.—Apply bar-shoe and use hoof ointment (tar and lard, equal parts, melted together). If the animal be lame, remove shoe and immerse the foot in a bucket of hot water for an hour or two, and then poultice.
SCURVY.
Symptoms.—Eruptions and itching, often in the bend of the knee, the hock, or mane and tail.
Treatment.—Apply ointment (iodide of sulphur 1 drachm, glycerine 6 oz.); give carbonate of soda 1 oz. twice a day; ½ oz. Fowler's solution of arsenic twice a day. Mild laxative food.
SORES.
Symptoms.—Sores on back, withers, or shoulders are ordinarily due to recent swellings from blows or injuries of some kind.
Treatment.—Sulphate of zinc 4 drachms, cold water 1 quart; apply by washing or with wetted bandages. Or first cleanse a healthy sore with soap and water, then apply sulphur 3 parts, iodoform 1 part.
SPRAINS.
Sprains consist in an overstretching of a muscle, tendon, or ligament to such a degree as to rupture some of the fibres of which it is composed. They are divided into muscular sprains, tendonous sprains, and ligamentous sprains.
Muscular sprains usually occur in the powerful muscles of the loins and quarters; they are serious and often permanent injuries.
Tendonous sprains are the most common, and the flexor tendons of the fore legs are most frequently affected.
Ligamentous sprains are serious injuries, and may occur in any of the numerous ligaments belonging to the joints of the body. The principles of treatment are the same as for tendons.
Symptoms.—Sprains of tendons and ligaments are manifested by heat, swelling, pain on manipulation, and lameness.
Treatment.—First reduce the inflammation by rest and constant use of hot fomentations. If the sprain be severe and at the rear part of the fore or hind leg, raise the heel of the shoe on the affected leg an inch or more.
All traces of the inflammation having disappeared, apply cold water and linen bandages, and give a little slow exercise. Should the swelling show no signs of subsiding, or the lameness continue after long and careful treatment, firing may be considered, but should only be undertaken by a skilful surgeon. The diet should be laxative.
SPRAINS OF BACK AND LOINS.
Treatment.—Rest; keep bowels open with warm bran mashes and a dose of Glauber salts (½ to 1 lb. sulphate of soda); also 1 drachm acetate of potassa twice a day for ten days. Treat externally with hot fomentations, or blister if necessary.
[STRANGLES.]
Symptoms.—Sick and off feed, with possibly slight catarrh and feverish symptoms; abscess forms between bones of lower jaw or elsewhere in the group of lymphatic glands; sore throat; difficulty in swallowing; slobbers; unthriftiness; staring coat; loss of condition; dulness and languor.
Treatment.—Place in cool box with plenty of fresh air; support strength by nutritious food; all kinds of soft and macerated food are good; if constipated, give laxative food and enemas, but no strong purgative must be used; if necessary, ½ pint of linseed-oil, repeated in 24 hours if required. Tonics, such as 20 grains of quinine, or 1 oz. ground gentian, or 1 teaspoonful sulphate of iron, three times a day.
Bring swelling to a head by a poultice of flaxseed, carrots, or turnips. If suffocation be threatened, a tube must be placed in the windpipe. This should be done by a skilful surgeon.
SUNSTROKE.
Symptoms.—Manifested suddenly. Animal stops, drops his head, begins to stagger, and soon falls to the ground unconscious. The breathing is with great stertor, pulse very slow and irregular, cold sweats in patches.
In heat exhaustion the animal usually requires urging for some time previous to the appearance of any other symptoms; generally perspiration is checked, and then he becomes weak in his gait; breathing hurried or panting; eyes watery and bloodshot; nostrils dilated and highly reddened, assuming a dark purple color; the pulse is rapid and weak, the heart bounding, followed by unconsciousness and death.
Treatment.—Blood-letting is forbidden. Apply ice or very cold water to the head and along the spine for sunstroke, but in case of heat exhaustion apply cloths wrung out of hot water.
The following applies to both cases: Give ½ oz. carbonate of ammonia or 6 oz. of whiskey in a pint of water; injections per rectum, of moderately strong ginger-tea or weak ammonia-water; brisk friction of the limbs and the application of spirits of camphor. Repeat stimulants in an hour if pulse has not become stronger and slower. When reaction has occurred and during convalescence, tonics may be given: sulphate of iron 1 drachm, gentian 3 drachms, red cinchona-bark 2 drachms; mix and give in the feed night and morning.
SWEENY.
Symptoms.—Consists of a sprain of the muscles covering the outer surface of the shoulder-blade, in consequence of which they become wasted, leaving their place hollow.
Treatment.—Feed muscle-making food and give moderate exercise. Apply from time to time a mild blister (powdered cantharides 1 part, olive-oil 12 parts.)
SWELLED LEGS.
Swelled legs are more often due to general debility than to any other cause, though it may arise from lack of exercise, wet or filth, or neglected cases of grease or scratches.
Treatment.—Hand-rub; bandage the legs; warm clothing; gentle exercise; generous diet if the animal be poor; mild dose of physic in some cases (½ pint of linseed-oil). Vegetable and mineral tonics are useful in some cases.
THRUSH.
Symptoms.—Arises from neglect and want of use. Manifests itself under the form of an acrid, strong-smelling, unhealthy secretion issuing from the sensitive frog through the cleft of the insensitive frog; most common in hind foot.
Treatment.—Cleanse and keep clean both feet and where the animal stands. After cleansing foot gently thrust to the bottom of the cleft a piece of fine tow saturated with 1 part carbolic acid, 20 parts water, and then cover with dry tow. Repeat night and morning for a few days and then dress with calomel and dry tow. Keep frog free from dirt and moisture.
URINE, RETENTION OF.
Symptoms.—Uneasiness, distress, anxiety of countenance; if relief is not soon obtained, pulse becomes quick and hard, and ultimately imperceptible; stretching out in endeavor to void urine; lies down and rises up frequently; clammy sweats.
Treatment.—Place fresh straw under animal; pouring water may produce sympathetic action; steady pressure of the hand, passed through the anus, on the fundus of the bladder may accomplish result; rub belly, or wash out sheath thoroughly if caused by dirt; 2 ounces sweet spirits of nitre in pint of water, or 1 pint linseed-oil and afterwards opium 1½ drachms, camphor 2½ drachms; repeat in 1 or 2 hours if necessary. If necessary to pass a catheter, the hand well oiled is passed up the sheath, the penis grasped and gently brought forward and held by an assistant; the catheter, well oiled, is then introduced and carefully pushed forward, and when it reaches the perinæum it should be guided forward and upwards by gentle pressure of the fingers.
URINE, NON-RETENTION OF.
Symptoms.—Besides excessive staling there is extreme thirst, dry skin, rough, staring coat, digestion usually out of order.
Treatment.—Change diet; give 1 drachm iodide of potassium in 10 oz. water daily between meals.
WARBLES.
Symptoms.—Recent soft swellings or tumors arising from inflammation of the skin due to friction or undue pressure.
Treatment.—Remove cause by not permitting the saddle or collar to touch it, and treat with salt water. Try to disperse, but if necessary to open it do so fully and touch with caustic. Then use cold-water dressings.
WARTS.
Treatment.—When small, remove by scraping surface and dressing with chloride of zinc; if large, remove with knife, and if necessary touch with hot iron. If without appreciable base, apply a paste of sulphur and sulphuric acid until it sloughs and then dress as an ordinary wound.
WORMS.
Treatment.—2 oz. turpentine in a pint of linseed-oil. The most effectual treatment is to administer daily for ten days or two weeks 2 drachms sulphate of iron and then give a dose of physic; change diet; tonic.
WOUNDS.
Simple wounds demand little attention other than cleanliness.
First.—Suppress hemorrhage by cold applications with pressure. If the bleeding be profuse, continuous, and of a bright red color, apply pressure to trunk of artery higher up leg (if leg is injured) than the wound, i.e., apply between wound and heart. Tie a flat web, cord, or handkerchief loosely around the leg, lay a pad formed of another handkerchief immediately above the artery, pass a stick through the loop on opposite side of leg to pad and turn it around so as to twist loop tightly. A plug of cotton, tow, sponge, or rag made into conical shape with point of cone toward bleeding orifice is also useful; remove clots of blood, apply plug and retain it by rags, tow, etc. In large, gaping wounds the finger or even the closed fist may be effectually employed until assistance arrives.
Cold water, ice, tar, perchloride of iron, felt, wool, spider's web, etc., may all be employed with more or less effect in stopping bleeding.
Second.—Remove all foreign matter, dirt, splinters of wood or bone, bullets, etc., as far as possible, by allowing lukewarm water to stream over wound from the mouth of a vessel; or a piece of sponge or tow may be pressed on some part above the wound so that the water may trickle over it; but the abraded part is not to be touched except in the removal of foreign substances by forceps or otherwise. Then use cold-water dressings; apply soothing applications, watery solution of opium, carbolic acid lotion, tincture of arnica, or simple ointment.
Hot fomentations may be used after cleansing to reduce inflammation.
Compress and bandage are preferable to stitches in bringing the parts together; the former to be used after the inflammation begins to subside, and the latter not until all inflammation has disappeared.
The lowest end of the wound must be kept open to permit the escape of matter during healing; this is usually accomplished by inserting a piece of dry lint between the edges of the wound. General treatment is rest and low diet.
Third.—During healing-stage dress with carbolic acid 1 part, water 20 parts; or carbolized oil; or bluestone (sulphate of copper) dissolved in water, 2 drachms to the pint; or tar ointment (tar 1 oz., sulphur ½ oz., lard 1½ oz.); or light blister of cantharides (powdered cantharides 1 part, olive-oil 12 parts) to neighboring parts in case of indolent wound. If proud flesh crops out above the surface of the wound, remove it by applying sulphate of copper or zinc (as above), or nitrate of silver, or alum, in order to keep it below the surface of skin, so that the parts may unite.