COLD.
IT should not excite surprise if the horse, though generally strong, and exposed to every abuse, is occasionally subject to the disease which, in man, is almost the property of the delicately nurtured. The animal exists in a stable commonly kept at a high temperature by means of contaminated air; it is taken thence into a wintry atmosphere to stand for an uncertain period before the master's door. There it has to remain inactive, shivering in the blast, until it suits the proprietor's convenience to come forth; next, it is pushed along till the perspiration bedews the sides. Then it has to remain, generally unprotected, in the cold until some business is transacted, when it is flurried home again, and often has to wait afterward till it suits the groom's leisure to dry the reeking frame.
SELLING "A CAPTAIN," AS ANY HORSE WITH A NASAL DISCHARGE IS CALLED BY THE LOW DEALERS.
Can it create astonishment if an animal so treated exhibit that nasal affection denominated "cold?" The case is similar with hunters. They leave hot stables to join the distant meet. Game may be soon started, or "the find" may occupy hours; at last, men, horses, and hounds scamper off; the fences are cleared; the fields, though they be swampy or plowed, are crossed at the longest stride. The pace is killing while it lasts; at length, comes a check. That saves many a steed, whose breathing ability was well nigh exhausted; but every animal has to shiver till the "view holloa!" again summons the assembly to motion.
How often does my lady's "carriage stop the way?" And how long have the horses to stand in the rain before it does go? How frequently does the gig or brougham linger near the curb, while another glass to good fellowship is drained? Then, we have to reflect upon the breathing forms harnessed to hired carriages; how the street cab rests in storms! How, day or night, the horses must be exposed to all the varied seasons! Unsheltered from the sun; with no protection from the frost! Let the reader reflect upon this and say, not if it be wonderful that a few horses exhibit the affection denominated cold; but whether it is not a legitimate matter for surprise every second horse is not thus affected?
A HORSE'S HEAD, EXHIBITING A COLD.
A mild cold, with care, is readily alleviated. A few mashes, a little green meat, an extra rug and a day or two of rest, commonly end the business. When the attack is more severe, the horse is dull; the coat is rough; the body is of unequal temperatures, hot in parts, in places icy cold. The membrane of the nose at first is dry and pale or leaden colored; the facial sinuses are clogged; the head aches; the appetite has fled; often tears trickle from the eyes, simple ophthalmia being no rare accompaniment to severe cold; till at length a copious defluxion falls from the nostrils without immediately improving the general appearance of the animal.
The treatment is plain. When mucous membrane is involved, all depletion must be avoided; the invalid should be comfortably and warmly housed; should have an ample bed, and the body should be plentifully clothed. Then a hair bag, half as long and half as wide again as the ordinary nose-bag, should be buckled by a broad strap on to the sick horse's head; into the bag should be previously inserted one gallon of yellow deal saw-dust; upon the saw-dust, through an opening guarded with a flap upon the side of the bag, should be emptied a kettle of boiling water, the superfluity of which may run or drain through the hair composing the bag.