This disease is well known among horse dealers, and in the stables of all our large cities. It is not so often found in the open country, but cases occur where green or young horses are taken from pasture and subjected to the closer atmosphere and changed diet of a warm stable. It is generally found among green horses who have been brought from the country to our large cities for sale or use, and quite, a large proportion of all such horses are more or less seriously affected by it. The disease is really a Catarrhal Influenza, whose symptoms are variously modified and only possibly received the now generally accepted name of Pink Eye, from a frequent appearance of the eye in the earlier stages of the malady. The supposed causes have been sufficiently above hinted.
Symptoms.—There is a wide diversity in the symptoms, but the more common manifestations are as follows: The horse is first observed to be dumpish, dull and disinclined to move, or moving clumsily, and looks as if he had been sick; the vessels of the eye are distended, turgid, the inner lid and corners being unnaturally red (whence, probably, the name), the lids become swollen, the animal shrinks from the light and tears trickle over the eyelid, and lumps of purulent matter occasionally gum up or fill the angles. The head seems heavy and hangs down, or he rests it upon the manger. First one hind leg and then the other swells and becomes infiltrated with fluid, extending from the fetlock up and filling the sheath, and often along under the belly with an immense infiltration of fluid. This swelling is considered characteristic, comes on suddenly, affects the whole limb, groin and sheath. The hair from the first looks unhealthy, and has a rough feeling; the ears, nose and limbs are cold or wet, according to the stage of the disease. The appetite is poor from the first, and an attempt to swallow shows that the throat is sore; the fauces will be found inflamed, the tongue is foul, thickly coated, and saliva runs freely, though in some cases the mouth is dry and feverish; the dung is voided in small quantities, as all the functions seem torpid. In some cases the glands of the neck become involved, tenderness and swelling is found on examination, and this swelling may soften and terminate in an abscess under the jaw. There is not unfrequently a cough. After a few days, a discharge from the nose sets in, which is considered a favorable crisis.
Treatment.—The patient should have the benefit of a pure atmosphere—the more elevated, pure and uncontaminated, the better to arrest blood deterioration—and be covered according to the temperature of the stable and season. The limbs may be rubbed and clothed if cold, but not rubbed if they are hot and feverish. In the febrile stage, the natural covering is sufficient. Fat horses need but trifling food, and bran mashes, scalded spout feed, or green food in moderation are best until the turn of the disease.
Give with the first indication of the disease, the A.A., which repeat at intervals of three hours, in doses of fifteen drops. This may be continued one, two or more days, so long as the pulse is quick, mouth hot, or general fever, or swelled, reddish eyes. When, however, the throat is found to be sore, glands under the jaws swelled or tender on pressure, or there is a discharge from the nose, the C.C., is more appropriate, and should be substituted for the A.A., and the same doses given at the same intervals. If, however, there is yet with the above fever and heat, the two remedies may be given alternately—first A.A., then C.C., at intervals of three hours between the doses.
After the legs and sheath have begun to swell, the H.H., is in order, and should be given to rouse into activity the urinary secretion, and so reduce the swelling. Give then the H.H., every three hours, in alternation with the C.C., and so continue until the disease is arrested and the patient is convalescent. Too great care cannot be exercised when the legs are swelled, to let the horse stand, not to move or exercise the patient, as the movement or exercise while the legs are swelled or hot, invariably aggravates the difficulty, and may cause it to extend to the lungs or other important organs. Take the feed away, or keep the feed very low, no grain, only a bran-mash, or pick at a little hay, and let the horse stand, and the swelling will disappear with the use of the medicines mentioned. If from cold or exposure, or an extension of the morbid process, the lungs should become involved and Pneumonia be present, the disease will require to be treated by the A.A., and E.E., as directed for that disease, which see.
Any weakness, or loss of appetite or condition, remaining as a sequel of the disease, will be removed by the use of J.K., giving fifteen drops three times a day.
Cough
Cough is so well known as to require no description. It is in almost all cases a mere symptom of some disease or morbid condition of the air passages, such as a cold, bronchitis, catarrh, or other more serious affection of the chest, upon the cure of which it disappears. In some cases, however, this affection is so slight as to occasion only cough as a symptom of its existence, and the cough may be said to be idiopathic. Continued cough predisposes to inflammation, yet some horses have a slight cough for years without being otherwise unwell. Other coughs are connected with thick wind, broken wind, glanders, worms and indigestion.
Treatment.—For chronic coughs fifteen drops of E.E., morning and night. In complicated or recent cases, the Remedy may be given four times per day. Sometimes the A.A., is more efficient, even when no fever or heat is apparent. For catarrhal coughs, give C.C., either alone or in alternation with A.A.