The Farmer's Veterinarian: A Practical Treatise on the Diseases of Farm Stock

by Charles William Burkett

—See [Inflammation of the Lungs].

LUNG WORMS IN LAMBS AND CALVES.

—It has been proven in years gone by that the common spirits of turpentine, when mixed with salt in proportions of a gill of turpentine to four quarts of common fine salt and placed in a covered box so constructed that sheep and calves can get their head in and eat the salt (yet the salt be protected from the weather), will practically prevent an infection. Some have advised the mixing of a half pint of sublimed sulphur with the salt and turpentine. There can be no objection to the sulphur when added in the proportions named. This remedy is not a cure but a preventive. In fact there is no cure, as these worms are in the bronchial tubes and lungs, where no worm destroyer can reach them directly. But when the lamb or calf daily partakes of even a few drops of turpentine, the whole system becomes, to an extent, infected with the turpentine, and as the young worms come into existence, their home in the lungs becomes a very unhealthy home for them and they fail to mature. In some cases mature worms have been removed by injecting a mixture of turpentine, chloroform and olive oil into the windpipe, using about a teaspoonful of this mixture. Its effect is to stupefy the worms that it touches, and they may be coughed out by the suffering lamb or calf. The fumes of burning sulphur has also been advised by some veterinarians. But both remedies are as liable to kill as cure, and are by no means always successful. The farmer’s business should be to prevent, not cure, diseases of this class; therefore prepare the salt box.

LYMPHANGITIS

This kind of inflammation is usually seen in the hind legs. It is most frequent in heavy draft horses, or in coarse plethoric individuals. It occurs most frequently after a short period of idleness.

LYMPHANGITIS.

—An inflammation of the lymphatics, usually of the hind legs. Hence the name “big legs.” It is the result of too rich feeding, and too little work in many cases on the one hand, or of overwork and insufficient food on the other. Lymphangitis often follows other diseases like distemper, influenza, or pneumonia, in which cases the system is weakened and the lymphatics in abnormal condition. It shows itself after a short period of idleness and rest. It usually begins with a chill and a rise of temperature, which may be as much as 105 degrees, depending on the intensity of the attack. One or both hind legs may show swelling and be so stiff and sore after standing during the night as to be moved only with difficulty when the horse is taken out of the stable in the morning. The horse in moving seems able to bear little or no weight on the affected leg. At the same time, the pulse is full and throbby, respiration is fast, the bowels are constipated and the appetite is lost.

In some cases the legs swell to an enormous size. If the inflammation is not relieved in a few days, the glands get badly diseased and blood poison may result. The disease, however, if taken in time, is easily treated. If it is caused by overfeeding, change this; give more exercise. When the disease is first noticed, give the horse 4 tablespoonfuls of aloes, 4 tablespoonfuls of carbonate of soda and 4 tablespoonfuls of ginger. These should be dissolved in a half pint of boiling water, then mixed with a half pint of cold water, and then given as a drench. If the pulse is fast, it may be made easier and slower by giving 20 to 30 drops of tincture of aconite, every couple of hours. A couple of tablespoonfuls of nitrate of potash in the drinking water three times a day will increase the urine. This is desirable to do in this disease. The leg should be bathed for at least a half an hour and then dried and a wash consisting of 2 tablespoonfuls of acetate of lead, 8 tablespoonfuls of tincture of opium, and a quart of water should be applied to the legs. This should be rubbed in well with the hand every hour. In from 20 to 30 hours, a great change for the better will be noticed the inflammation will have been reduced; the pain will have disappeared and the bowels will be loose and active.

From now on give general exercise at frequent periods, during the day. In cases caused by overwork or too little food or those following debilitating diseases, like influenza or distemper, the treatment should be more stimulating; therefore, nutritive foods and tonics are best. Good hay and oats and other feed of a laxative nature should be furnished.