The Farmer's Own Book: A treatise on the numerous diseases of the horse / with an explanation of their symptoms, and the course of treatment to be pursued; also a treatise on the diseases of horned cattle

by J. D. Koogle

INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET, ACUTE FOUNDER.

This is a disease that was less understood than any other until very recently. It often arises by allowing a horse that is very much heated to stand in the snow or cold water for any length of time, or where he is apt to become chilled, which produces a general stiffness throughout the entire system; but it will soon be observed that the seat of the disease is in the feet, by the disinclination of the horse to remain upon them.

Symptoms.

The earliest symptoms of fever in the feet are restiveness, frequent shifting of the fore legs, but no pawing. The pulse is quickened, the flanks heaving, the nostrils red and his moaning indicating great pain. He looks about his litter, as if preparing to lie down; he continues to shift his weight from foot to foot; he is afraid to draw his feet sufficiently under him for the purpose of lying down, but at length he drops. His lying down will distinguish inflammation of the feet from that of the lungs, in which the horse obstinately persists in standing until he drops. His quietness when down will distinguish it from colic or inflammation of the bowels. He will point out the seat of the disease by looking at the part; his muzzle will often rest on the feet or affected foot.

Treatment—Remedy No. 1.

The treatment in this disease resembles that of other inflammations. Bleeding is indispensable and that to its fullest extent. Four quarts of blood should be taken from the toe of the foot, which may be put into warm water to quicken the flow of blood. Poultices of linseed meal, made very soft, should cover the whole of the foot and pastern, and be frequently renewed. This will relieve its painful pressure on the swelled and tender parts beneath. The shoe should be removed, the sole pared as thin as possible, the crust and quarters well washed—all this should be done gently. Sedatives and cooling medicines should be diligently administered, consisting of digitalis, nitre and tartar emetic, 1 drachm digitalis, 2 drachms tartar emetic, 3 drachm saltpetre. If no amendment is apparent after this, blood should again be extracted on the following day. In extreme cases, a third bleeding may be justifiable, and instead of the poultice, cloths kept wet with water in which nitre has been dissolved, in the proportion of an ounce of nitre to a pint of water. The cloths should be wrapped around the feet.

Treatment—Remedy No. 2.

Take 1 quart sweet milk, 1 quart molasses, ½ oz. pulverized saltpetre, mix and dissolve all together, give in 2 drenches about 5 minutes apart: this is highly recommended by those who have tried it.