CATARRH.
—Commonly known as a cold, catarrh is recognized as an inflamed state of the upper portions of the air passages, with more or less discharge from the mucous membranes. The eyes often sympathize with this deranged condition, with a watery state as the result. The causes of catarrh or colds in animals are very much the same as those causing the same disturbance in human beings; as with people, so with animals, the malady should be remedied as quickly as possible. Bad air is one of the most frequently observed causes; consequently pure cold air with proper blankets to keep the body warm is considered the best treatment for simple catarrh when unaccompanied with other troubles.
One of the common symptoms is dullness and loss of appetite. The hair stands out and looks rough, a slight cough may be noticed and sometimes a rattling is heard in the head. For cattle a mild dose of physic, consisting of one-half pound Epsom salts and 4 tablespoonfuls of sweet spirits of niter mixed in a pint of lukewarm water and given as a drench, is about all that is necessary. If the cold hangs on, mix together one-half pound of nitrate of potash or saltpeter and one-half pound of gentian root and give a teaspoonful of this three times a day until the animal is better. Of course good food should go along with this treatment. The horse should be fed soft food like bran mashes and be kept quiet in a well-ventilated stable. If the cold hangs on with him, mix one-half pound of saltpeter or nitrate of potash, one-half pound of sulphur, and one-half pound of ground gentian root and give a teaspoonful morning, noon and night.