The Symptoms are as follows: The attack is usually sudden, beginning with a cold, shivering chill, followed by full, strong and quick pulse, accelerated breathing; hot, dry mouth, and general fever. The local manifestation is on one of the hind legs, generally the left, or in rare instances, a fore-leg may be affected. The leg is lifted from the ground, is hot and painful to the touch, and swells from above downward. The swelling increases rapidly, the leg becomes much larger than the other, the pain increases, and the leg is very sensitive to the touch. Several hard, round and very painful cord-like swellings may be felt on the inside of the leg; these end in small, hardish lumps, and are more painful than the cords. A watery fluid exudes from the skin, and may be seen in drops standing upon the hair.
Treatment.—At the commencement, foment the limb for an hour, night and morning, with hot water, and afterward apply Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel freely. The horse should have plenty of exercise, and in most cases may be ordered to his work, continuing the medicine as hereinafter directed. Give, three times per day, fifteen drops of the A.A. After a few days, the J.K., may be alternated with the former with advantage. But in general the A.A., will be entirely sufficient.
Purpura Hemorrhagica
Some rare cases of this disease have been observed in the horse. It consists essentially of a decomposition of the blood, and loss of power in the capillary vessels, as the result of which echymosed or black and blue spots appear on the surface, and upon the mucous membrane wherever it can be seen, hemorrhages occur from various parts of the body and are thrown off with the natural excretions. The inside of the nose is covered with purple spots, as also the inside of the lips. These spots vary in size, and are filled with dark-colored fluid blood, which exudes if they are punctured or scratched. There is diffused swelling over the system, showing itself at the eyelids, breast, flank, belly, quarters, and between the thighs, extending upward. It is attended with weakness and general prostration of the system, swelling and stiffening of the joints, and sloughing off of the membrane of the nose, or other parts.
Treatment.—The A.A., will be found appropriate in all cases of this disease. Give a dose of fifteen drops three times per day. If there are hemorrhages from any organ, give half a gill of Humphreys’ Marvel Witch Hazel three times per day, between doses of the A.A.
Give common food of good quality, less oats and hay, but especially carrots and potatoes. The last are very serviceable in this disease.
Big Jaw—Actinomycosis
This disease is caused by the Ray fungus which is sometimes found on barley, oats, cactus, dried grass, etc., and which enters the body of the animal through cuts or wounds on the tongue, gums, etc., and particularly with young animals at teething time.
Symptoms.—These of course vary with the position of the wound, through which the fungus entered the body. If on the tongue, the tongue becomes swollen and very painful “wooden tongue.” If around the teeth, the jaw becomes swollen and finally the growth breaks through the skin or into the mouth. If through the skin of the head or neck, large nodules appear, varying in size from a hazel nut to a man’s fist.
Treatment.—The most successful treatment is by cutting out the nodules; this of course should be done by a Veterinary Surgeon.