When the fine structure of the horse's body is regarded, and we reflect that a creature of so beautiful a frame is by man's will taken from the fields, where every bite of grass is of a different flavor—now hot and pungent by an admixture of the buttercup, then cool and bland by the marsh-mallow mingling with the morsel—where, unknown as yet to toil, such sustenance is sufficient for growth and idleness; when we consider that an animal is suddenly snatched from such a diet, every mouthful of which was endowed not only with a varied taste, but with a change of perfume; when we feebly conjecture how grateful this ever-varying savor must have rendered herbage to any being possessed of the admirable sense of smell with which the equine species are gifted, it can create but small surprise that, when taken into stables, put to exhausting labor, and day after day made to eat a stinted allowance of dry food, the sameness of the diet and the change in habit should occasionally derange the digestion. Sore throat is, however, frequently a sign of some graver disorder; the affection should, therefore, be cautiously treated as a local malady.
When it is present, the symptoms are a constant deglutition of saliva, a want of appetite, accompanied by an inability to swallow liquids. The pail being presented, the act of drinking is accomplished with evident effort; the drops are forced down by a series of jerks, which are often made more emphatic by an audible accompaniment. Notwithstanding this labor, only a portion of the fluid enters the gullet, the greater part returning by the nostrils.
A HORSE WITH SORE THROAT ENDEAVORING TO DRINK.
So soon as this is observed, throw the horse up, for sore throat is always attended with weakness. Clothe fully, bandage the legs, place in a well-ventilated and amply littered loose box; feed upon green meat for a couple of days, at the same time always having present a pail of thick, well-made gruel, which should be regularly changed, thrice daily. Morning, noon, and night, a pottle of bruised oats, with a handful of old beans distributed among them, should be scalded, and, when blood-warm, placed in the manger.
Frequently, this is all that is required, and the disorder is well cured, which yields without medicine. Should the bowels prove obstinate, and after the second day continue constipated, a mild dose of solution of aloes should be administered.
| Solution of aloes | Four ounces. |
| Essence of aniseed | Half an ounce. |
| Water | One pint. |
Mix, and give.
This, with the diet previously recommended, is rarely required, as the food alone, so far as the author's experience can justify an opinion, never fails in relaxing the body. However, should the sore throat remain, dissolve half an ounce of extract of belladonna in one gallon of water. Hold up the head of the animal and put half a pint of this liquid into the mouth; allow the fluid to be retained for thirty seconds, then take away the support, and the medicine will run from the lips. Repeat this frequently, or from six to eight times during the day.
If the soreness of the throat should appear indisposed to heal, but, on the contrary, should seem inclined to spread, lose no time in resorting to the next preparation. Permanganate of potash, (prepared by Squires, chemist, of Oxford Street,) half a pint; distilled water, one gallon; half a pint to be used to cleanse the horse's mouth, in the manner just directed for diluted belladonna, six times daily, or—