Treatment.—Bleed but once; take only blood sufficient to restore consciousness; do not attempt to obtain blood, if the liquid flows black and thick. Place in a loose box strown with damp tan; take off the shoes; place water within easy reach; no food. If winter, clothe; then introduce steam; when the steam is abundant, take off the clothes. Give solution of aconite root, half an ounce; sulphuric ether, two ounces; extract of belladonna, (rubbed down with half a pint of water,) one drachm. Repeat the drink three times each day. When the pulse improves, withdraw the aconite; when the breathing amends, abstract the belladonna; or increase either as pulse or breathing becomes worse. Allow only hay tea, with a little oatmeal in it, until the disease abates. On amendment, cautiously increase the food. Lying down is the first sign of improvement. Do not disturb the animal: it must require rest, having stood throughout the attack.
POLL EVIL.
Causes.—Hanging back in the halter; hitting the poll against the beam of the stable door; blows on the head; and any external injury.
Symptoms.—The nose is protruded and the head kept as motionless as possible; the animal hangs back when it is feeding from the manger. Pressure or enforced motion excites resistance. Swelling: the swelling bursts in several places, from which exude a foul, fistulous discharge. Pus has been secreted; confinement has caused it to decay; while motion and fascia have occasioned it to burrow.
Treatment.—Paint the part lightly with tincture of cantharides, or acetate of cantharides. Do this daily till vesication is produced; then stop. When the swelling enlarges, open the prominent or soft places. Allow the pus to issue; then cut down on the wound till the seat of the disease is gained. Use a proper knife, and include as many pipes as possible in one clean cut. All others should join this. Empty out all concrete matter. Wash the cavity with cold water. Excise all loose pieces of tendon and all unhealthy flesh. Moisten the sore with the chloride of zinc lotion, one grain to the ounce, and cover the wound with a cloth dipped in the solution of tar. If the disease has burst, still include the pipes in one smooth incision; clean out the concrete pus, and treat as has been directed. Spare the ligament which lies under the mane; and work in a breast-strap after recovery.
PRICK OF THE SOLE.
Cause.—Generally the smith's carelessness when shoeing the horse.
Symptom.—Great lameness.
Treatment.—Withdraw the nails of the shoe. If one is wet, cut down on that hole until the sensitive sole is exposed. If not very lame, treat with lotion of chloride of zinc, one grain to the ounce of water. If very lame, treat as if the injury were a suppurating corn.