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 YETEmNARY PRACTICE, 
 
 BEING 
 
 AN ACCURATE AND DETAILED ACCOUNT 
 
 OF TUE 
 
 i'arious $kasts ta fcljklj t|e porse is liable, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 THE LATEST MODE OF TEEATMENT. 
 
 TO -WHICH IS ADDED 
 
 AN APPENDIX, 
 
 CONTAINING VETERINARY PHARMACOPOEIA AND VETERINARY 
 MATERIA MEDICA. 
 
 VS^RITTEN IN PLAIN ENGLISH, 
 
 JAMES A. WILLIS, Y. S. '^- v i^^^^ 
 
 Thomas Holman, Printer, corner op Centre and White Streets. 
 
 18 7 2. 
 
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1872, by 
 
 JAMES A. WILLIS, V. S., 
 
 In tlic Office of tlic Librarian of Congress at Washington. 
 
 ■^=', 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 The chief and only object of this work is a description of the 
 external and internal diseases of the horse, with their causes, 
 symptoms, treatment and prevention. The author believes that 
 he has omitted no disease of any considerable importance. 
 
 In the treatment of disease I have been peculiarly attentive to 
 the causes and prevention. As every changed groom, driver and 
 location disposes the horse to some particular disease more than 
 to others, it is certainly of importance to speak of these facts, in 
 order that jjeople may be upon their guard against them. It is 
 always better to be warned of the approach of an enemy than to 
 be surprised by him, especially where there is a possibility of 
 avoiding the danger. 
 
 Though I have endeavored to point out the causes and preven- 
 tion of diseases, and to put j^eoijle on their guard against them, 
 yet it must be acknowledged that they are often of such a nature 
 as to admit of being removed only by their own diligence and 
 activity. The domesticated horse is one of the most willing 
 slaves ; to serve man is his chiefest joy. He relinquishes all his 
 allurements, and devotes his body and strength to our service the 
 life-long day, yet when night comes how many there are who 
 deny him nourishing food and a comfortable place to rest ! Dx". 
 Stewart has truly said, " the stable is his jirison, and the harness 
 his chains." Hence, it follows, that the two principal causes of 
 his disease are, his living on dry artificial food in the stable, and 
 the barbarous treatment he receives at the hand of his owner. 
 Nature has it not in her power to remove either. The great power 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 to heal lies in tlie organism of the animal itself. All that art 
 can do is to remove the obstacles out of the way of Nature's 
 efforts, and let Nature do the work. It is in our power only to 
 modify the eiforts of Nature ; the whole requirements of art is to 
 remove certain irritations, brutal treatment, changing the food, 
 etc. The generality of people lay too much stress upon medi- 
 cine, and trust too little to their own endeavors. Though many 
 reckon it doubtful whether medicine is beneficial or hurtful to 
 the horse, yet they all allow the importance of a proper food in 
 diseases. The very appetite of the sick horse proves it. No 
 man in his senses ever imagined that a horse, in an inflammation, 
 for example, could eat, drink or conduct himself the same as one 
 in perfect health. This part of medicine, therefore, is evidently 
 founded in nature, and is everywhere consistent with reason and 
 common sense. Had men given more attention to this, and 
 hunted less after secret remedies, the Veterinary Profession 
 could have never become such an object of ridicule. No one 
 can imagine, who has not been a witness, how much good a 
 well-disposed i^erson may do by only taking care to have such 
 wants supplied, and by removing the sick horse from a filthy to a 
 warm, clean and well ventilated stable. There certainly cannot 
 be a more necessary, a more noble, or a more God-like action, 
 than to administer kindly to the wants of such a faithful servant. 
 While virtue and religion are known among men this conduct 
 will be approved, and while Heaven is just it must be rewarded. 
 The veil of mystery which still hangs over the Veterinary 
 practice renders it not only a conjectural but even a suspicious, 
 art. This has been long ago removed from the other sciences^ 
 which induces many to believe that doctoring horses is a mere 
 trick, and that it will not bear a fair and candid examination. 
 It however, needs only to be better known in order to secure the 
 general esteem of mankind. Disguising the practice not only 
 
hinders its improvement, but exposes the practice to ridicule. I 
 do not mean that all men should become Veterinary Surgeons, 
 This would be just as ridiculous as it is impossible. But if the 
 most of our intelligent farmers had a knowledge of medicine and 
 the diseases of their domestic beasts, they would raise the art to 
 a higher degree of esteem and perfection in one year than the 
 whole faculty could alone in ten ; and, at the same time, they 
 would be in a condition to derive from it some of the advantages 
 with which it abounds, and guard themselves against the influ- 
 ences of superstition and ignorance. 
 
 In order to render the work more complete, and to be of more 
 benefit to the horse owner, I have added as an Appendix a Veteri- 
 nary Materia Mcdica and Pharmacopmia. If it abounded with 
 splendid prescriptions and promised great cures in consequence 
 of their use, it would have been more acceptable to many. But 
 as medicine can only be administered to assist Nature, I have in 
 general given such caution and direction as will be necessary for 
 its safe administration. 
 
 The authors to whom I am most obliged are "Horse Owner's 
 Cycloj)edia," Mayhew and Stewart. I have in general adopted 
 their observations where my own were defective or totally want- 
 ing. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEB I. 
 
 Ancient and Modern History of the Horse. 
 Natural History of the Genus Equus.— The Horse of Scripture, 
 
 KNOWN BY THE ISRAELITES AND ARABIANS. — ThE AnCIENT EGYPTIAN 
 
 Horse.— Grecian and Roman Horses.— The Horse of Great Britain. — 
 
 The Horses of the Western Hemisphere The Modern Horse op 
 
 THE United States 1 
 
 CHAPTEK II. 
 
 Of the General Causes of Disease, and How to Prevent 
 Them. 
 
 Of Diseased Sire and Dam.— Of In-and-In Breeding.- Of Noxious Va- 
 pors. — Dark Stables. — Food and Drink. — Nicking and Docking. — 
 Cruel Punishments.— Of Exposure 13 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Diseases of the Horse. — Inflammations in General. 
 
 Causes op Constitutional Inflammation.— Of Local Inflammation 
 
 Progress and Termination.— Varieties of.— Acute Inflammation. — 
 
 How to Remove Cause.— To Purify the Blood To Allay Pain.— 
 
 Bleeding.— Place and Manner of Bleeding. — Indications op Pulse 
 
 Subacute and Chronic Inflammation 25 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Diseases of the Feet. 
 
 Pumice Foot.— Cracked Hoof. — False Quarter. — Seedy Toe.— Tread 
 AND Over-Reach.— Quittor.— Thrush.— Corns.— Acute Laminits, or 
 Fever in the Feet.— Navicular Disease 31 
 
CONTENTS. Vll 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Diseases and Injuries of the Limbs. 
 
 General Remarks. — Bone Spavin. ^Splint. — Ringbone. — Strain of the 
 Flexor Tendon. — Sprain of the Back Sinews.— Curb.— Occult Spav- 
 in.— Windgalls — Bog Spavin.— TnoROUGH-riN.-CAPPED Knee.— Cap- 
 ped Hock.— Capped Elbow 3S 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Injuries — Their Nature and Treatment. 
 
 Fistula — Poll-Evil. — Inflamsiation of the Vein.— Open Synovial 
 Joints. — Wounds.— Shoulder Sprain.— Strains of the Hip-Joint and 
 Stifle. — Dislocation Fractures 43 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Diseases of the Eye and Skin. 
 
 Simple Opthalmia. — Spj:cific Opthalmia. — Cataract. — Obstruction in 
 THE Lachrymal Duct.— Mange.— Warts.— Tumors.— Swelled Legs. — 
 Sit-Tart. — Mallenders and Sallenders. — Cracked Heels, or 
 Scratches , 50 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 Diseases of the Brain and Nervous System. 
 
 Phrenitis, or Inflammation of tub Brain. — Megrims, or Epilepsy. — 
 Blind Staggers. — Sleepy Staggers and Mad Staggers.— Tetanus, or 
 Lockjaw. — Paralysis.— Stbinoh alt Sun-Stroke- 57 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Diseases of the Nose and Throat. 
 
 Bleeding at the Nose.— Nasal Gleet.— Catarkh. — Epidemic Catarrh 
 
 Sore Throat, or Laryngitis Cough.- Rearing — High Blowing and 
 
 Wheezing.— Bronchocele CG 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Diseases of the Chest and its Contents. 
 
 Bronchitis, or Lvflammation of the Air Passages.— Pneumonia, or 
 Inflammation of the Lungs.— Pleurisy. — Hydrothorix.— Heaves.— 
 Spasms of the Diaphragm.- Diseases of tub Heart 73 
 
VUl CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTEE XI. 
 
 Diseases of the Stomach and Bowels. 
 Dyspepsia — Bots.— Worms.— Inflammation of the Bowels.— Spasmodic 
 Colic. — Flatulent Colic. — Dysentery. — Prolapsus of the Rectum. — 
 Paralysis of the Sphincter Muscle Dropsy of the Abdomen.. . 81 
 
 CHAPTEE Xn. 
 
 The Diseases of the Urinary Organs and Organs of 
 Generation — both Male and Female. 
 
 Nephritis, or Inflammation of the Kidney's. — Hydrophobia. — Inflam- 
 mation of the Bladder. — Calculi.— ILematuria, or Bloody Urine. — 
 
 Diabetes, or Profuse Stalling.- Albuminous Urine Balanitis. — 
 
 Prolapsus of the Uterus 95 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 Constitutional Diseases, Diseases of the Mouth, and 
 
 Marks of Age. 
 
 Fevers.— Glanders.— Farcy. — Lamfass. — Marks op Age 102 
 
 CHAPTEE Xiy. 
 
 Veterinary Pharmacopceia. 
 Alteratives.— Anaesthetics. — Anodynes. — Antiseptics. — Antizymotics. 
 
 — Anthelmintics. — Aperients.— Astringents Blisters— Caustics 
 
 Clysters. — Demulcents. — Diaphoretics. — Diuretics. — Embrocations. 
 — Expectorants. — Febrifuges. — Lotions. — Stimulants. — Stomachics.— 
 Styptics.- Tonics 109 
 
 CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 Miscellaneous Prescriptions for Various Diseases Belonging to 
 THE Veterinary Art 117 
 
 CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 List op Veterinary Drugs, with a Synopsis of their Medical 
 Properties and Doses 119 
 
 CHAPTEE XVII. 
 
 Definition op Terms Denoting the Properties of Remedial Agents 125 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 Ancient and Modern History of the Horse. 
 Natural History of the Genus Equus The Horse of Scripture, 
 
 KNOWN BY THE ISRAELITES AND ARABIANS ThE AnCIENT EGYPTIAN 
 
 Horse.— Grecian and Roman Horses The Horse op Great Britain 
 
 The Horses of the Western Hemisphere. — The Modern Horse ok 
 the UNiTiiD States. 
 
 There are few subjects of animated nature that have 
 engaged the attention of the most eminent naturalists 
 more than the genus Equus, to which the horse and ass, 
 with their hybrid progeny, and zebra are assigned. In 
 the chissification adopted by modern natural historians, 
 they belong to the division Verlebrata : class Mamvialia ; 
 tribe Ungulatia ; order Pachydermatia ; family Solepedia ; 
 and genus Equus. Their dental formula is as follows : 
 incisors I ; canine or dog teeth, (in the males only), \ \ ; 
 molars ' \ ; total, 40 teeth. 
 
 Liuneus, with a view to establish, by new arguments, 
 his theory of the sexual system of plants, has illustrated 
 their generation by pursuing the chain of nature from the 
 animal to the vegetable kingdom, and has taken a promi- 
 nent example from the mule and hinny. He says, from 
 the mare and male ass proceeds the mule, which, in its 
 nature, that is, in its medullary substance, nervous sys- 
 tem and strength, is latent in, and derived from, the mare. 
 But in its cortical substance and outward form, in its ears, 
 mane and tail, resembles the ass. Between the female ass 
 and the horse the hinny is produced, whose nature or medul- 
 lary substance, resembles that of the ass, but in outward 
 shape and cortical structure, that of the horse. According 
 1 
 
ii ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
 
 to Pliny, the hinny was not held in much estimation by the 
 Romans, and at the present day, they are of no esteem 
 either among that people or any other, except tlie Spanish, 
 who occasionally breed a few. They are by no means so 
 valuable for service as mules. 
 
 Mules have a disposition to propagate, yet notwithstand- 
 ing there have been but two or three well authenticated 
 instances recorded of their having bred. Dr. Buifon, in his 
 researches on the subject, admits that " it is possible for 
 both males and females to propagate." He is " confident 
 that their parents are of a species distinct from each 
 other." He says, " the ass is not a horse degenerated, as 
 some suppose. He is neither a stranger, an intruder, nor a 
 bastard ; he has, like other animals, his family, his species, 
 and his rank. His blood is pure and untainted, and al- 
 though his race is less noble, yet it is equally good, 
 equally ancient as that of the horse. 
 
 Of all quadruped animals the horse seems the most beau- 
 tiful of his noble race The glossy smoothness of his skin, 
 the graceful ease of his motions, and the exact symmetry 
 of his shape, have taught us to regard him as the first and 
 as the most perfectly formed. To have an idea of this no- 
 ble animal in his native simplicity, we are not to look for 
 him in the pasture or the stables, to which he has been 
 consigned by man, but in those wild and extensive plains 
 where he ranges without control. It is not, however, in 
 the new, but in the old world, that we are to look for the 
 horse in a true state of nature — in the extensive deserts of 
 Africa, in Arabia, and the wide-spread plains of Tartai'y ; 
 in Persia, and between the Caspian sea and the sea of 
 Aral. Here is the birthplace of man, and where he still 
 remains the most beautiful in countenance and symmetry, 
 ^lan and the horse have been companions in all ages, and 
 probably the horse has been an inhabitant in this limit as- 
 signed him by nature — Tartary, Persia, Asia Minor and 
 
ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 6 
 
 Arabia — since Noah gave him liberty, when the ark rested 
 on Mount Ararat. But of all countries in the world where 
 the horse runs wild, or is domesticated, Arabia for centu- 
 ries has produced the most beautiful, and here, unquestion- 
 ably, is the place where the horse was first domesticated. 
 Stonehenge would have us believe that he was first domesti- 
 cated in Egypt, for the following reasons : that it was not 
 until after the Israelites arrived in Egypt that the horse is 
 clearly alluded to in the writings of Moses ; that in the 
 thirly-second chapter of Genesis, camels, goats, sheep, 
 cattle, and asses, are all severally alluded to, but no horse. 
 So he considers that it is highly probable that in the time 
 of Jacob, whose departure from Laban is there narrated, 
 horses were unknown to the Israelites. Jacob, on his 
 deathbed, leaves us no room to doubt his knowledge of 
 the horse, and of his being domesticated in Egypt, for he 
 speaks of the horse and his rider in the same sentence. 
 When he was blessing his children, he said unto Dan : 
 " Dan shall be a serpent by the way ; an adder in the path, 
 that biteth the horse's heels, so that his rider shall fall 
 backward." 
 
 This eminent writer goes still farther to prove his the- 
 ory, and gives his reasons for so doing ; and I am so far 
 from finding fault with him, that I think his performance 
 does great honor both to his head and to his heart. He 
 hmvever confesses his proof of a negative character. " Six 
 hundred years later," he thinks, "Arabia could not have been 
 remarkable in any way for her horses, for Solomon, while 
 he resorted to her for silver and gold, mounted his cavalry 
 from Egypt." Yet he says, " the latter country could scarce- 
 ly be the native land of the horse, not possessing the ex- 
 tensive plains which are peculiarly suited to bis existence 
 in a wild state, and it is considered probable, that he was 
 introduced from the central regions of Africa, which are, 
 undoubtedly, the native plains of the quagga, the zebra. 
 
4 ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
 
 and some other congeners of the horse, but where he is 
 not now found in a wild state." " Thence he would natur- 
 ally find his way into Egypt, and through Arabia to Per- 
 sia, Tarlary and Gi'eece, ultimately reaching Great Britain." 
 
 But I will presently give my reasons, without conjecture, 
 for believing that the horse was first domesticated in 
 Arabia. To every animal nature has assigned a certain 
 range of the earth's surface, within which its wants are 
 better provided for and its comfort more secure than in 
 any other. Hence, most species, although at liberty to 
 change their abode, seldom wander beyond fixed limits. 
 
 For example, the polar bear, which is fitted to endure 
 the cold, and to find subsistence in the midst of snow and 
 ice, rarely crosses the Arctic circle ; while the monkey, 
 which is equally fitted to sustain the heat and to procure 
 its food in tropical forests, is scarcely known beyond the 
 limit of the fruit-bearing palms. 
 
 But while animals are thus restrained by their necessi- 
 ties, they are also kept in check by substantial barriers. 
 Seas, deserts, mountain chains, etc., often prevent their 
 progress from one country to another. Hence, we not only 
 find different fai;nas or assemblages of dissimilar species 
 in different climates, but also in separate regions of the 
 same climate. The diversity, however, is generally 
 greater in the former than in the latter. 
 
 I have already shown that the birthplace of the horse* is 
 in the vicinity of Mount Ararat. Tlience he would natur- 
 ally wander through Persia, Tartary, and Arabia, ulti- 
 mately reaching Egypt, either in a wild or domesticated 
 state. 
 
 In Genesis xxxvi. 24, we have Scriptural proof of the 
 mule being a natural hybrid, existing in the wildei*ness of 
 Idumea about 1840 years before Christ, and over 100 
 years before the Israelites arrived in Egypt. And in the 
 book of Job, according to Hitchcock's Analysis of the 
 
ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OP THE HORSE. 
 
 Bible, the oldest book in the world, the first written of all 
 the books in the Bible, and the oldest literary production 
 in the world, is the Book of Job. This, according to the 
 best authorities, was composed by Job himself about 1520 
 years before Christ. This is about. 10 years before the 
 book of Genesis ; 550 years earlier than Homer ; a thou- 
 sand years before Confucius and Solon, and earlier than 
 even the very earliest date assigned to the Hindoo Vedas. 
 The laud of Uz, where he lived, was east of Palestine, and 
 either within that sandy and waste part of Arabia, called 
 Arabia Deserta, or in the country of Idumea, not far dis- 
 tant. 
 
 Job was not a Jew, but an Arabian Prince ; and in his 
 writings, he makes the horse the theme of the most glow- 
 ing description and eulogy. His poetic and sublime lan- 
 guage will apply to almost any variety that comes up to a 
 fair standard of their species. "Hast thou given the 
 horse strength ? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder ? 
 Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper ? the glory 
 of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and 
 rejoiceth in his strength ; he goeth on to meet the armed 
 men. He mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted ; neither 
 turneth he back from the sword. The quiver rattleth 
 against him, the glittering spear and the shield. He 
 swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage ; neither 
 believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith 
 among the trumpets. Ha, ha 1 and he smelleth the battle 
 afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting." 
 The horse is nearly always associated in Holy Writ with 
 man, as possessed with the spirit of war, and of great 
 fondness for the murderous and guilty pursuit. Jeremiah 
 describes his speed, his strength and spirit in battle, in 
 language the most expressive : " If thou hast run with the 
 footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou 
 contend with horses V " I hearkened and heard, but they 
 
(5 ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
 
 spake not arig-ht : no man repented him of his wickedness, 
 saying, What have I done ? Every one turned to his course, 
 as the horse rusheth into the battle." " The snorting of 
 his horses was heard from Dan : the whole land trembled 
 at the sound of the neighing of his strong ones ; for they 
 are come, and have devoui-ed the land, and all that is in it ; 
 the city and those that dwell therein." 
 
 When God wrought such a remarkable deliverance for 
 his people at the Red Sea, Miriam and all the women of 
 Israel, with timbrels and with dances, in their exultant 
 song to the Lord for his glorious triumph, the horse is not 
 forgotten : " the horse and his rider hath he thrown into 
 the sea." Solomon, in his brilliant reign over Israel, had 
 horses bi'ought to him from Egypt and from all lands until 
 he had four thousand stalls for horses and twelve thousand 
 horsemen. 
 
 It appears from sacredhistory, that the horse was a com- 
 panion and servant of man in various ways, and that the 
 ancients had in use the saddle, bridle, and harness. The 
 horse was used for riding, for which see 2 Kings ix. 18 ; 
 Est. vi. 8, 9 ; Amos ii. 15. We also read of him in the 
 book of Esther, being used for carrying the mail ; and 
 he wrote in the King Ahasuerus' name, and sealed it with 
 the King's ring, and sent letters by posts on horseback, 
 and riders on mules, camels, and young dromedaries. He 
 was also used for driving in the chariot, and great de- 
 pendence was placed in the horse in lime of war, and as 
 the book of the wars of the Lord, mentioned in Numbers 
 xxi. 14, is lost, we may suppose that a brilliant history of 
 the horse is lost with it. 
 
 THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN HORSE. 
 
 The ancient Egyptian horse, we know but little of be- 
 yond the comparison of Solomon in his Song of Christ's 
 love unto the Church : "I have compared thee, my love. 
 
ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 1 
 
 to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariot ;" and as 
 he is handed down to us in some of the sculptures of Nine- 
 veh, the carvings of which are in a high state of preserva- 
 tion. But in all of these bas-reliefs, the horse is represented 
 with a large and coarse head, a high crest, and a heavy 
 and lumbering body. 
 
 GRECIAN AND ROMAN HORSES. 
 
 Such was the ravages and anarchy of war for a long 
 time in eastern countries, that the whole human race de- 
 generated into a state of barbarism. The use of the horse, 
 with most all the arts and sciences, was forgotten. 
 " Veterinary doctors, however, have been in existence for 
 3,000 3'ears in China, and they possess a formal literature." 
 " We even hear of statistics of cattle plagues being kept at 
 that early period." The above remark occurs in Dr. 
 Dobelb's " Reports on the Progress, of Medicine." But the 
 eastern horse we know nothing of until Greece and Rome 
 broke the chains that bound them, stepped in, and with 
 their great voice, commanding silence, and told tlie na- 
 tions to come to school and prepare for the real business 
 of life. They knew how to enkindle the nations with their 
 fire ; how to rule them by their spirit, and how to make 
 them partners with themselves in civilization and glory. 
 Thus we see them heading the world's march on to a 
 civilized life ; and God allowing men to invent modes of 
 using the animal, the arts and sciences dawning upon 
 men's minds just as they are made able to receive them. 
 Greece at first aspired to this great office alone, but 
 Greece failed to be what many thought she was destined 
 to be, — the world's educator. Greece had one-half century 
 of intense brilliancy, but after that marvelous outburst of 
 intellectual power, she sank exhausted. She had many of 
 the higher requisites for the office to which she aspired, 
 
O ANCIKNT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
 
 but she wanted some of the secondary ones. She was too 
 little practical, too much impelled by passion, and too 
 little guided by principle, to be capable of those long sus- 
 tained, persevering and pains-taking eiforts, wliich alone 
 could tame the barbarism and enlighten the ignorance of 
 the world. Still she did an immense service. Greece 
 prepared the elements of the world's education. Her 
 schools and academies were the workshops in which were 
 forged the living forces, which in the hands of Rome were 
 to quicken and vitalize the nations. 
 
 The Greek horse is very well known to us, as his rep- 
 resentation is well preserved in the Elgin marbles, and 
 Xenophon, that noted Greek historian, gives excellent ad- 
 vice on the purchase of a horse. This ingenious people 
 invented the snaffle bridle and established the olympian 
 games. These games were held every four years, and 
 commenced about 114 years B. C, but it was not until 
 the twenty-third olympiad that horse-racing was intro- 
 duced, and the distance ridden was about four miles. In 
 the twenty-fifth olympiad, the chariot was introduced, and 
 after this time it became the method of testing the power 
 and speed of the Grecian horse. 
 
 Rome, in order to become the master, first became the 
 pupil. She sat down at the feet of Greece, and the truths 
 which the Athenian intellect had elaborated, Rome re- 
 ceived ; and grafting them upon her own more practical 
 genius, she entered into the office which Greece, after a 
 glorious commencement, had been compelled to vacate. 
 Rome's iron hand bent the nations to her yoke, and her 
 master mind moulded them into her image. It was a 
 great and a difficult task, — and truly Italy deserves well 
 of the world for having rendered it. It cost her the 
 thought of her writers, the toil of her legislators, and the 
 blood of her warriors. The Roman horse must have been 
 of rather an inferior grade, for no sooner were the Roman 
 
ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. y 
 
 cavalry brought into warfare with the cavalry of Mace- 
 donia and that of CaBsar's, mounted upon French horses, 
 tlian they were conquered. This defeat could only have 
 been tl»e fault of the horse, for the bravery of the Roman 
 infantry was still a dread to the surrounding- nations. 
 The curb-bit was invented by the Romans ; they also in- 
 vented a kind of sandal, sometimes tipped with iron, for 
 the protection of the foot in case of lameness. 
 
 THE HORSE OF GREAT BRITAIN. 
 
 When the Romans invaded Great Britain, they found 
 the people in possession of horses ; but we have no reliable 
 history of the British horse until the reign of the Stuarts, 
 when attention was first paid to the improvement of the 
 breed. The British has since then been in possession of 
 some celebrated horses. Sir Robert Bruce, who so nobly 
 defended the liberties of Scotland, rode in February, 1306, 
 from London to Lochmaben Castle, in Dumfriesliire, in five 
 days. Dick Turpin's Black Bess also performed some 
 wonderful feats. But it is not without great assiduity 
 and repeated trials of all the best horses in all the diifer- 
 ent parts of the world, that the British horses have 
 attained their present high superiority. A British horse 
 is known to excel the Arabian in size and swiftness ; to 
 be more durable than the Barb., and more hardy than the 
 Persian. An ordinary racer is ascertained to go at the 
 rate of a mile in two minutes, and we had one instance in 
 the admirable Childers, of still greater rapidity. He has 
 been frequently known to move eighty-two feet in a second, 
 or almost a mile in a minute. He ran round the course of 
 Newmarket, which is little less than four miles, in six 
 minutes and forty seconds. Few horses have since been 
 found that could equal him, and those of his breed have 
 been remarkably deficient. To William the Conqueror, 
 1* 
 
10 ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
 
 history ascribes the introduction of the practice of shoeing 
 and the stirrup into Great Britain, whence they have 
 remained nutil the present time. 
 
 THE HORSES OF THE WESTERN HEMISPHERE. 
 
 The wild horses of America are of Spanish origin, and 
 entirely of the Andalnsian breed. Introduced here, accord- 
 ing to Azara, in the year 1535, and in the year 1537, sev- 
 eral were shipped to Paraguay. From these have been 
 bred the couutless herds which have since spread over the 
 whole southern part of America, and passing the Isthmus 
 of Panama, have wandered into Mexico, California, Texas, 
 and the western plains wherever they are suitable to him. 
 
 These wild horses, as I am informed, greatly resemble 
 their Spanish ancestors in make and shape. Tliey are said 
 to be possessed of a fair amount of speed, but not above 
 the average of foreign breeds. From their roving habits, 
 they are in excellent wind, and it is said that one fresh 
 caught, can be ridden nearly a hundred miles without 
 drawing bit. 
 
 In Mr. Herbert's cursory allusion to the Mustang, he 
 gives it as his belief, that he is the origin of the Indian 
 pony in common with the Canadian horse. I will not 
 weary my readers with a description of these two breeds, — 
 they are so well known, that a description here is un- 
 necessary. But I shall at once proceed to allude to the 
 modern domesticated horse met with in the United States. 
 
 THE MODERN HORSE OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 The position the United States has attained for cele- 
 brated horses they entirely owe to England, the parent 
 countr}'. But from some source, a fountain of disease 
 has sprung that is deluging both England and America 
 with its dreadful virus. Disease and degeneracy are ter- 
 
ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 11 
 
 ribly on the increase, and I strongly suspect, that before 
 long, both will have to procure from some source, sound 
 horses of high breeding for their studs. 
 
 In England, the progress of improvement was greatly 
 accelerated by a seasonable infusion of Arabian and 
 Barbaric blood. The bred horse, standing in respect of the 
 equine race as the capital on the Corinthian Pillar, has 
 reached a point of perfection, that if it can be kept up, we 
 can hardly dare hope will ever be excelled. 
 
 According to Mr. Herbert, we may show how largely 
 the Americans are indebted to England for thorough- 
 breds. Between the years 1691 and 1840 there were 
 nearly 300 horses imported for stud purposes. Nearly all 
 the great trotting horses of America have come of one 
 blood, that of Messenger, an English horse, imported into 
 New York in 1788. 
 
 The pedigree of this horse can be traced directly back to 
 the Darly Arabian, who was the sire of Flying Childers, 
 and to the Cade mare, who was a granddaughter of the 
 Godolphin Arabian. He was^therefore of the best English 
 thorough-bred racing stock. 
 
 All accounts concur in representing Messenger as a horse 
 of beautiful form and extraordinary endurance. Asa proof, 
 a groom, who saw him land, loved to relate, that the three 
 companions of Messenger became so reduced by their long 
 voyage, that they had to be supported down the gang-plank, 
 but when it came Messenger's turn, he, with a loud neigh, 
 charged down the gang-plank, with a colored groom on each 
 side, dashed up the street on a furious trot, dragging the 
 negroes after him, and resisting all their efforts to bring 
 him to a stand-still. 
 
 Messenger was a beautiful gray, fifteen hands and three 
 inches high, and stoutly built, with a short straight neck, 
 and a large bony head ; his loins and hind quarters pow- 
 erfully muscular ; his windpipe and nostrils of unusual 
 
12 ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF THE HORSE. 
 
 size ; his hocks and knees very large ; limbs of medium 
 size, but flat and clean. 
 
 Messenger lived to be twenty-eight years old. For fif- 
 teen years he was owned in the neighborhood of New York, 
 and was held in such estimation that he probably left a 
 more illustrious name chiefly for his trotting and running 
 descendants, a more numerous family than any horse that 
 has ever lived. Those best acquainted with the subject 
 do not hesitate to estimate his value to the country at one 
 hundred millions of dollars. The sons of Messenger, to 
 wliich nearly all the fast trotters of the present day trace 
 their pedigree, were Plato, Engineer, Commander, Why- 
 Not, Mount Holly, Mambrino, and Hambletonian. 
 
 There have been several other horses imported from 
 England, which have contributed largely to the improve- 
 ment of the breed, such as Bellfounder, Diomed, Whip, 
 Trustee, Glencoe, Margrave, and Arabian Grand Bashaw, 
 but not one has produced an illustrious trotter without a 
 cross from Messenger. 
 
 It is not our design to give the pedigrees of these famous 
 horses in this brief outline of history. It is with the horse 
 as we find him in America, that we have to do in this work ; 
 not the general history of his races, pedigrees and per- 
 formances, but the history of his diseases, their causes and 
 cures, rational and generous rules for his treatment and 
 general improvement. 
 
CHAPTEE II. 
 
 Of the General Causes of Disease, and How to Prevent 
 Them, 
 
 Of Diseased Sire and Dam.— Of In-and-In Breeding.— Op Noxious Va- 
 pors. — Dark Stables. — Food and Drink. — Nicking and Docking. — 
 Cruel Punishments. — Op E.kposure. 
 
 The history of the horse affords us no evidence that 
 there has been any improvement in the race since the days 
 of Job, who describes the Eastern liorse in language un- 
 equaled for poetic beauty and vigor. The Arabs have al- 
 ways had the finest horses in the world, and their great 
 affection for them has been most remarkable. Among no 
 people, says Dr. Stewart, has the art of breeding and 
 training the horse been carried to such perfection as 
 among the wandering tribes of the desert, and nowhere 
 else has there "been such freedom from disease, unless it 
 be among the wild horses of America. It is not, then, ne- 
 cessary to have civilization nor education to have good 
 horses and have them enjoy good health. Disease and de- 
 generacy have kept pace with the efforts of civilized man, 
 in trying to improve the breed by in-and-in breeding, man- 
 agement and cruel treatment. 
 
 or DISEASED SIRE AND DAM. 
 The better to trace diseases from their original causes, 
 we shall take a view of the common method of raising the 
 foal. In this period of their lives, the foundations of a 
 good or bad constitution are generally laid. It is there- 
 fore important to the farmer who raises a few colts every 
 year to be well acquainted with the various causes which 
 
14 ON THE GENERAL CAUSES OF DISEASE, 
 
 may injui-e their health. The wild horse is an heir to no 
 disease whatever, and it may seem strange that man, not- 
 withstanding his superior reason, should fall so far short 
 of the wild horse in the management of the young animal 
 entrusted to his care. But our siirprise will soon cease, if 
 we consider that the wild horse, guided by natural instinct, 
 never errs in this respect, while man, trusting solely to 
 art, is seldom right. 
 
 The health and constitution of the foal depends greatly 
 upon that of the sire and dam. It would be as reasonable 
 to expect a rich crop from barren soil, as that strong and 
 healthy foals should be produced of a sire or dam whose 
 constitutions have been worn out with hard Labor or dis- 
 ease. We know that the illustrious trotter cannot be bred 
 out of the cat-hamed foundered jade. This is settled upon 
 immutable laws. We know that many of our farmers 
 raise foals from such mares, and even .during her preg- 
 nancy and the time she is nursing her young, they work 
 her still, and perhaps, not half fed. They do not con- 
 sider, for a moment, that she has two lives to support 
 instead of one. Is it consistent with natural laws and 
 common sense, that slie can bring into the world and 
 raise a strong and healthy fjal ? The man who raises 
 foals from a limping, sickly constitutioned mare, and do- 
 ing all in his power, by abusing her, to have this dread- 
 ful inheritance transmitted to her offspring, whatever his 
 views may be, it cannot be said that he acts a prudent 
 part. A lame, sickly constitutioned mare may prove fer- 
 tile ; should this be the case, her whole family must be- 
 come an infirmary. What prospects of profit the stock- 
 raiser can have of raising sucli colts we shall leave any 
 one to judge. 
 
 The question of feeding the mare while with foal is one 
 of the first importance. Here does the adage apply that 
 like produces like. The soil must be rich. The mare must 
 
AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM. 
 
 15 
 
 receive the feed and attention Lev condition demands, or it 
 is unreasonable to look for a strong- and healthy foal. 
 
 The same law applies equally well to the stallions, yet in 
 our country the stallions are generally very good. Tliey 
 are usually selected from the best colts, and nearly all of 
 them, when not abused, and turned to good mares, produce 
 very fine foals. The great eviHs in the destructive policy of 
 the ignorant knave who adopts the lazy lounging work of 
 traveling the country with a stallion. The majority of 
 these fellows keep the stallion in order to scrape together 
 a few more of the almighty dollars. If it is in their power, 
 they will turn their stallion to three or four mares a day. 
 By these excesses, the seminal fluid of the horse must be- 
 come weak and watery, and if the mares conceive, their 
 offspring must be loose, flabby jointed, long-legged, worth- 
 less animals. But what does he care, so long as he can 
 find two or three fine foals to take to the country fair, 
 there to exhibit as specimens of the excellent foal-getting 
 qualities of his horse. AVhat does he care for the improve- 
 ment of horses, if he can, by fair oi- foul means, keep up 
 the reputation of his horse, in order to secure a good pa- 
 tronage the next season, or how much the next generation 
 of horse-flesh suffers by his wickedness. This is a system 
 that causes a blight and mildew upon one of the most im- 
 portant interests of the farmer. This is an evil of a com- 
 plicated kind and political mischief, and therefore requires 
 a public consideration. Indeed, to this, all wise legislators^ 
 ought to have a special regai'd. 
 
 The perfect model of the Arabian horse is unquestiona- 
 bly due to their great care of selection, and who, from be- 
 ing unmixed with any variety of the same species, the 
 stallions also have never been disproportioned in size to 
 the mares. It is also said that they allow no stallion to 
 cover a mare unless he has been approved by a public in- 
 spector. It is feasible to suppose that the blood of the 
 
16 ON THE GENERAL CAUSES OF DISEASE, 
 
 Arabian horse is just as pure and untainted as it was in 
 the days of old. Indeed, there can be but little doubt on 
 the subject, if we admit the fact, as Mr, Pomeroy, in 
 his prize essay on the mule, suggests, that " the habits, 
 manners and pursuits of the descendants of Ishmael have 
 continued with scarcely an iota of variation, from the day 
 they took rank among the nations of the earth." " The posi- 
 tion," he says, "is greatly strengthened by the information 
 he received from an intelligent traveler of undoubted ve- 
 racity, who had visited Arabia." Mr. Pomeroy understood 
 from him that the Arabs were as tenacious of preserving 
 the pedigrees of their horses as the most careful breeder 
 for the turf of England. The descent of some of their 
 horses they trace to the numerous studs of that wise and 
 magnificent king, Solomon. In breeding horses we would 
 do well to imitate the example of these half civilized de- 
 scendants of Ishmael. 
 
 OF IN-AND-IN EREEDING. 
 
 For the improvement of stock two modes of breeding 
 have been practiced : one, by selecting males and females 
 of the same family-blood relations, called in-and-in breed- 
 ing ; the other, by males and females from different fami- 
 lies of the same species, called crossing the breed. The 
 former must be denounced in language the most expres- 
 sive. This is the true reason why we so rarely see the 
 descendants of imported stock in this country equal the 
 originals. In-and-ia breeding tells in man as well as in 
 beast ; the same law governs both. When blood relations 
 intermarry, their offspring are generally malformed, scrofu- 
 lous, idiots, or a host of other ills that they maybe heir to, 
 by such an imprudent union. 
 
 The continual in-and-in breeding of the descendants of 
 Messenger would probably have resulted in the extinction 
 of the stock, but for the timely ci'oss with the descendants 
 
AND IKiW TO PREVKNT THEM. 17 
 
 of Diomed and othei* imported horses. Messenger himself 
 had a remarkably strong constitution, and it was trans- 
 mitted to his inbred progeny for a number of generations 
 but very little impaired. Yet the hardest flint will wear 
 away, and so has the constitution of Messenger. 
 
 It seems to be in accordance with Nature's law that all 
 the conditions of the wild horse favor continual outcross- 
 ings rather than in-and-in breeding. The males and fe- 
 males would be of nearly equal numbers. From their 
 roving habits, they would naturally squander into other 
 herds before they were old enough to breed, and each 
 stallion will contend for and obtain some sexual inter- 
 course. 
 
 The good effects of crossing the breed results only in 
 cases where the mare is larger than the stallion. In this 
 way the English raised such excellent draught horses, 
 crossing with the small stallions imported from Arabia 
 and the Barbary States and the large mares from Flanders 
 and Lombardy. 
 
 But where they turned small mares to large stallions 
 there was untold mischief done by producing a race of 
 long-legged, flabby jointed, narrow-chested worthless 
 brutes. 
 
 The keeping of animals in a plethoric condition is as 
 highly deleterious to their progeny as stinting them of 
 nutrition. Dr, McClure says, " when the conditions of 
 life depress and retard the development of plants or ani- 
 mals they become more prolific, because their ofTspi-ing 
 will come into being under circumstances unfavorable to 
 the continuance of their existence, and Nature equalizes 
 the chance by producing more of them." It is in accord- 
 ance with this law that fat and idle animals are not 
 sure to breed, that families living on the luxuries of life for 
 a few generations have but few or no children. We 
 often see the poor surrounded by a numerous proge- 
 
IB ON THE GENERAI, CAUSES OP DISEASE, 
 
 ijy, while the pampered rich pine ia sorrow without 
 a single heir to their vast domains. 
 
 OF NOXIOUS VAPORS. 
 
 It has long been known that fresh air is more immedi- 
 ately necessary to life than food. We may live two or 
 three days without the latter, but not many minutes with- 
 out the former. The vivifying principle contained in the 
 atmosphere, here so essential to the support of flame as 
 well as animal life, is nothing else but that pure oxygen 
 discovered by that ingenious philosopher. Dr. Priestly. 
 This being exhaled in copious sti-eams from the green 
 leaves of all kinds of vegetation, accounts, in a great 
 measure, why the horse is so much healthier in the 
 country than in some of the vaults assigned him in the 
 city, where they are nothing but a nursery of disease and 
 misery to their inmates, where the air, instead of partak- 
 ing so largely of this salutary impregnation, is daily con- 
 taminated with noxious animal eflSuvia. 
 
 If the reader has visited these places, he knows too 
 well the holes that man compels his willing servant to live 
 in. When we see man begrudging his valuable slave the 
 space in which its useful body rests, we can assign but 
 little credit to his human nature ; but some men, with 
 their fancies, are tyrants without mercy, but a heart alive 
 only to villainy and ingratitude. Here is a practical proof 
 of the Proverb of Solomon, that " A righteous man re- 
 gardeth the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the 
 wicked are cruel." Many of these stables are undrained- 
 stalls, seldom more than four feet wide, and frequently the 
 light and air is admitted only by the doorway, with a pile 
 of heating, steaming manure laying at one side. The 
 volatile gas of ammonia is so strong, that the water will 
 be brought into a man's eyes as soon as he enters, and 
 what must be the effect upon the eyes of the poor horse 
 
AND now TO PPvEVENT THEM. 19 
 
 compelled to live amid these vapors for days and weeks 
 together. 
 
 DARK STABLES. 
 
 The deficiency of light is pei-haps a still more serious 
 evil to the horse's eyes than tlie noxious vapors, and one 
 that contributes nearly as large to his general diseases. 
 Light is essential to the health of both body and mind of 
 man, and the physical system of the horse demands it 
 equally as much as he. Light imparts to vegetation the 
 essential qualities which nothing else can. Is it strange, 
 therefore, that the eye suffers from terrible diseases when 
 deprived of light, its natui-al element. God, the all-wise 
 Creator, saw fit in his infinite wisdom, to furnish light to 
 rule the day, and during that time, all living should be 
 permitted to enjoy it freely. Dr. Buchan cautions people 
 not to venture into subterranean vaults, or coal-pits that 
 have been long shut up, until the air has been sufficiently 
 purified ; but in the name of every consideration of mercy, 
 gratitude, and self-interest, that there were gunpowder 
 enough burned under each and every one of these stables 
 to blow them to atoms, so that nothing remained biit the 
 history of their existence in a past barbarous age, is an 
 end that should be devoutly wished for. 
 
 FOOD AND DRINK. 
 Though hay and oats are allowed to be the best cal- 
 culated for supporting the horse in health while in the 
 stable, yet it can not be doubted but changed food may be 
 safely given occasionally, provided their appetites are re- 
 strained within the bounds of temperance. We find that 
 by the wonderful powers of the digestive organs, a va- 
 riety of vegetable substances, of very discordant prin- 
 ciples, are happily assimilated and blend into one chyle. 
 Therefore it seems natural to distrust those cynical fel- 
 
20 ON THE GENERAL CAUSES OF DISEASE, 
 
 lows who would rigidly confine the horse to one simple 
 dish, hay and oats, from one year's end to the other. It 
 is no wonder that we frequently hear those men complain- 
 ing that their horse is off his feed. To such, let us say 
 emphatically, change his food to chopped feed, carrots, tur- 
 nips, potatoes, and the like, which he will eat with decided 
 advantage ; every horse that is kept in the stable should 
 have a green feed once a day. 
 
 The horse prior to domestication, might not find in 
 every spot an abundance of excellent fodder ; but then he 
 was at liberty to seek a better fare in another place. His 
 food was the grass of the prairie, and his drink, that mild 
 insipid water of the brook which nature has pointed out to 
 him as his universal beverage Man has taken away all 
 power of choice. He violently usurps Nature's province, 
 and adopts her obligations. Many times the horse, driven 
 far and fast, is brought home by the master, sweating 
 at every pore. In this condition he is allowed by some a 
 little food and drink, and by others nothing, until he has 
 cooled off. What cruel folly, to tax the powers and stint 
 the body. We never knew a horse injured by eating and 
 drinking moderately of lukewarm water while steaming 
 from a fast drive ; but warming the water is too much 
 trouble for the groom, and the master has so little mercy 
 and interest for his horse's welfare, that he don't see that 
 it is carried out. It is a grievous sin to seize on life, and 
 to neglect the slave you hold in captivity, by trusting the 
 fulfillment of the responsibilities to a careless groom. 
 Where we claim the horse's existence as property, and 
 force him to wear it out in our labor, truly the very least 
 obligation we could owe him, should be the provision of 
 comfortable stables and nourishing food. We believe 
 that the usual way of preparing cut feed, cut hay, corn, 
 and oat-meal, mixed witii warm water, is the most eco- 
 nomical and healthy food that can be given ; this, with an 
 
AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM. 21 
 
 occasional change of green food, comes nearer the moist 
 grass which kind nature furnishes, and it don't task the 
 salivary glands as much as when eating dry food. If this 
 course was pursued, our stables would be visited with 
 fewer diseases. 
 
 NICKING AND LOCKING. 
 
 We are thankful that the abuses of nicking and dock- 
 ing, cutting and slitting the ears, is, by men of feeling, 
 being so disgusted with these barbarities, very much on 
 the wane. These tortures would be willingly not re- 
 marked upon, but to the shame of our race, there still lin- 
 gers a few with such wicked tastes, in our country, that 
 the most perfect specimens of the Creator's handiwork 
 don't please them ; however, they are nothing daunted, 
 but set to work to make improvements, by resorting to 
 the horrible practice of nicking and docking. In nicking 
 and docking the hoi'se which is the subject of such shock- 
 ing cruelties, not only is he deprived of part of his tail, 
 but several deep cross cuts is made in the remainder of 
 the under side, that the muscles by which it is erected and 
 depressed are forever destroyed, and then a cord is fas- 
 tened to the hair, and being carried over a pully attached 
 to the ceiling, the tail is kept drawn up over the back by 
 a weight at its end, stretching the sore and inflamed tail 
 as much as the bones will bear without breaking ; in this 
 state of suffering, he must remain for two or three weeks 
 without any change, or until the wounds heal, when the 
 nicking is completed. Dr. Youatt remarks, that in Eng- 
 land, when cutting the ears was so fashionable, horses 
 would eventually be born with short ears, but it would be 
 as feasible to expect, that if Mr. Bergh, the President of 
 the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, 
 would extend his authority over the length and breadth of 
 our land and prevent these barbarous cruelties, a similar 
 
22 ON THE GENERAL CAUSES OF DISEASE, 
 
 event would occur as happened in Balaam's time, the 
 horse's mouth would be opened to bless him. 
 
 CRUEL PUNISHMENTS. 
 
 It is amazing how much purposed wickedness and cru- 
 elty there is exhibited in the maltreatment of the horse by 
 some men. They are continually torturing the poor ani- 
 mal which is so imfortunate as to fall into their hands. 
 Many appear to find one of their dearest delights in pulling 
 the reins up tight, standing up in their wagon, and for 
 minutes continue lashing the poor creature that is hitched 
 to the load, and comparatively at his mercy. Surely, the 
 reader, if not utterly lost to the feelings of humanity, must 
 have seen such lashings inflicted upon the horse as would 
 make the blood run cold in his veins. Such tyrants as 
 those referred to above, imagine they have found some 
 reason for their outrages, and it is impossible to tell the 
 mischief they may do by the cruelties of which their vi- 
 cious natures are full. In dealing out their curses, kicks 
 and blows, they feel happy when they discover a tender 
 place. The lash curls about the face ; now it cuts the 
 lips, where the sense of touch resides ; the pain is severe. 
 The horse shakes his head, striving to avoid a repetition, 
 but all to no purpose ; the lash is applied again, and truly 
 it lights upon the eye. " It is as sport to a fool to do mis- 
 chief ; but a man of understanding hath wisdom." But 
 what a severe retribution they are provoking 1 So sure as 
 Heaven is just, such sins will be punished. " Blessings 
 are upon the head of the just, but violence covereth the 
 mouth of the wicked." When God, in His sovereign wis- 
 dom, ci-eated us with dominion over the beasts, He en- 
 j(jined on us a corresponding obligation : that of protector 
 and provider. In showing kindness to them, is in obedi- 
 ence and gratitude to Him ; and while these considera- 
 tions teach us to be merciful, do they not impress the ad- 
 
AND HOW TO PREVENT THEM. 23 
 
 monition, " Ye, therefore, who love mercy, teach your sons 
 to love it too ?" 
 
 OF EXPOSURE. 
 
 No one can look upon a horse suffering from cold, with- 
 out feeling that in sensibilities, at all events, the two 
 creatures are alike. Dr. Mayhew remarks, " that sympathy 
 has been interpreted to mean no more than a conscious 
 similarity of emotions," and we must agree with him in 
 saying that such a definition is erroneous, or more sympa- 
 thy would actuate man towards his slave. There are 
 many men, and it is something for which we are very 
 thankful that their number is constantly increasing, who 
 are very careful of, and kind to their horses, who know 
 the advantages of comfortable stables and of warm blan- 
 kets, at the proper time. Such give a striking example of 
 the Scriptural proverb, that " a righteous man regardeth 
 the life of his beast." But this class does not embrace 
 all horse-owners. " The tender mercies of the wicked are 
 cruel." 
 
 Surely, the reader must have seen the horse taken out 
 of the stable on a wintry day, to stand for an uncertain 
 period before his master's door, there to remain, shivering 
 in the storm, until it suits his owner's convenience. Next, 
 he is driven along till foaming with perspiration ; then, 
 perhaps, drawn up in front of a hotel, tied to the post, there 
 to remain, generally unprotected, in the cold, until some 
 business is transacted or while another glass is drained to 
 good friendship. During all this time, the horse, his faith- 
 ful servant, stands at the door, facing the pelting storm, 
 awaiting his arrival ; and when he does leave the blazing 
 fire and his jovial companions, need it be wondered that 
 the horse should look around with a piteous look, implor- 
 ing the tyrant for better treatment ? 
 
 Let the reader reflect upon this, and say who would be 
 
24 ON THE GENERAL CAUSES OF DISEASE. 
 
 the guilty party were the horse taken with some violent 
 disease. Surely, it is work of the master's doing. But 
 he will not for a moment, try to connect the effect with a 
 cause where he is to blame. But come with me, and let 
 us counsel together. " Without counsel purposes are dis- 
 appointed ; but in the multitude of counselors, they are 
 established." A common cold is a disease of too mild a 
 type to be begot by so harsh a parent. The same expos- 
 ure would have been a sufficient cause for a death-bed in 
 your own case ; and, as the horse's physical being is gov- 
 erned by the same natural laws as your's, is it strange, 
 therefore, that Nature will oppose such arrogance, and, 
 relieving the life by death, takes the abused horse from 
 the tyranny of your oppression ? 
 
 There cannot be a more noble or a more God-like action 
 than to obey the Divine injunction, " Thou shalt not muz- 
 zle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn." Lev. 
 xxii. 28. " And whether it be cow or ewe, ye shall not 
 kill it and her young both in one day." Deut. xxii. 7. 
 " But thou shalt, in any wise, let the dam go, and take 
 the young to thee, that it may be well with thee, and that 
 thou niayest prolong thy days." The rebelling against 
 these commands must be a grievous sin against God, who 
 made man to have dominion over the work of His hands, 
 while the obeying of them will be esteemed as long as vir- 
 tue and religion are known among men, and a just God 
 will reward them at last. 
 
OHAPTEE III. 
 
 Diseases of the Horse. — Inflammations in General. 
 
 Causes of Constitutional Inflammation.— Of Local Inflammation 
 
 Progress and Tbkmination Varieties op Acute Inflammation. 
 
 How to Eemove Cause.— To Purify the Blood To Allay Pain.— 
 
 Bleeding.— Place and Manner of Bleeding.— Indications of Pulse 
 
 Subacute and Chronic Inflammation. 
 
 In the majority of diseases to which horses are liable, 
 inflammation, local or constitutional, of different parts of the 
 body, either internal or external, is the prominent symp- 
 tom, and is the foundation of most, often constituting the 
 disease itself, and sometimes being the beginning or the 
 ending of other diseases. The frequent occurrence, and ' 
 also the dangerous and often deadly consequnnces of in- 
 I flammation, require the greatest possible knowledge of the 
 most important events by which they are indicated, and 
 for this reason the same shall be here amply and fully de- 
 scribed. 
 
 j CAUSES AND VAEIETIES OF INFLAMMATIONS. 
 
 The causes are of two kinds — Constitutional ajid Lo- 
 cal — of which the former deserves the precedence, inas- 
 much as without appropriate blood material no inflamma- 
 ticm can be perpetuated. 
 
 The constitutional causes may be of the most 
 opposite kind, although they all have the common 
 property of rendering the blood impure. Excess of 
 stimulating food, deficiency of food, inactivity' and 
 respiration of close air in dark, filthy stables, or 
 over-driving and fatijiue ; imperfect action of the kid- 
 neys and skin, besides the poisons of decaying animal 
 
'^b DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
 
 matter ; glanders or other diseases which arc epidemic, 
 endemic, contagious or sporadic, which are produced by 
 some morbific principle acting on the organism similar to 
 a ferment. Continued exposure may disorder the whole 
 blood and bring on general inflammation of the part 
 chiefly subjected to it, or local inflammation. 
 
 The local causes are injuries and abuses of all kinds, 
 whether from over-driving and excessive wear and tear, 
 or fi'om mechanical injuries of all sorts. For instance, a 
 blow upon any part, if sufficiently severe, will cause in- 
 flammation of that part. Yet injury of is not of necessity 
 followed by inflammation ; on the contrary, nature may go 
 on quietly and make the repair, unless the blood of the in- 
 jured horse be in a state inadequate to furnish healthy re- 
 parative material, or unless the injury be such as to de- 
 stroy the life of certain tissues, (as poisoned wounds), or 
 if nature be hindered by an open jagged wound that can- 
 not be closed, or by the ill-treatment of wounds such as 
 interfere with the exuded matter or hinders its develop- 
 ment. 
 
 PROGRESS AND TERMINATION. 
 
 Inflammation once established may destroy life, either 
 by obstructing the functions of some organ necessary to 
 life, as the heart, lungs or brain, or by quick exhaustion, 
 as in inflammation of the abdominal and thoric organs, or 
 by slower exhaustion from suppuration. 
 
 Inflammations terminate by resolution, eff"usion, suppura- 
 tion, callosity, mortification or gangrene. By resolution 
 is meant that the parts return to their natural condition. 
 By eff'usion, that blood may be thrown out from the soft 
 parts, as from mucus membranes ; that serum or colorless 
 pait of the blood may be thrown out by serous membranes, 
 which often form adhesions. By suppuration, when 
 abscesses are formed containing matter ; this may take 
 
 I 
 
INFLAMMATIONS IN GENERAL. 21 
 
 pi. ICO upon the surface, such as boils, fistula, poll-evil and 
 (juittor. By callosity, whenever a part remains in a hard- 
 ened, enlarged and stififened state after an inflammation 
 of the same has subsided ; such a callosity is nearly al- 
 ways the consequence of exudation of fibrous matter re- 
 maining- as a deposit in the previously inflamed part. 
 By mortification, when death of the parts takes place ; in 
 this case, if the parts are sufiSciently extensive or if it is 
 an internal part, death of the whole body, if not relieved, 
 is the result. 
 
 VARIETIES OF INFLAMMATION. 
 
 Of the varieties of inflammation, we shall confine our- 
 selves to three, namely : Acute, Subacute, and Chronic. 
 Such varieties depend on the cause and on the kind of con- 
 stitution. 
 
 Acute inflammation is that which runs through its 
 course quickly, sudden in its origin, violent in its action, 
 and rapid in producing some one of the so-called effects of 
 inflammation. 
 
 Treatment : Generally speaking, we should say, that 
 the indications are, 1. To remove the cause. 2. To purify 
 the blood from the source of morbid eff"usion. 3. To al- 
 lay and soothe the pain in the injured part. 4. To mod- 
 erate the afflux of blood. 5. To hinder degeneration of 
 the fluids exuded and procure their absorption. 
 
 We shall proceed to speak in this order of the means 
 by which each indication may be fulfilled : 
 
 1 . To Remove Causes. — The taking away of any irrita- 
 ting substances, such as nails, slivers, stones and dirt, and 
 placing the injui'ed part under such conditions that na- 
 ture in repairing the damage shall not be disturbed. 
 
 2. To Purify the Blood. — In most cases, and more espe- 
 cially, if the bowels are costive, the urine scanty, or of a 
 milky appearance, a dose of six drachms Barbadoes aloes, 
 
28 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
 
 one-half drachm carbonate of soda ; dissolve in one pint 
 bulling water ; when cool enough to administer, add 
 twelve drops oil caraway, and give as a drench. 
 
 3. To Allay the Pain of the Affected Part. — This is the 
 most important part in the prevention and treatment of 
 inflammation. All pain and sense of injury should be 
 soothed, if possible. For this purpose warm fomenta- 
 tions are particularly advisable. Take warm water one 
 quart, and add extract belladonna four drachms, or foment 
 with strong warm decoction of poppies. Should the horse 
 be nervous and uneasy, rest in any position should be 
 sought for, and for this purpose anodynes are of the great- 
 est value. Take chloroform one ounce, tinct. opium one- 
 half ounce, mix in half pint water, and give as a drench. 
 This will save the horse from the exhaustion of pain and 
 spasm, and prevent local congestion. 
 
 4. To Moderate the Afflux of Blood. — Since the increased 
 flow of blood to the affected part and its stagnation there- 
 in are leading phenomena in acute inflammation, hence it 
 is not strange that means for controlling this flow are of 
 the very highest importance, and for this purpose bleeding 
 is the only guarantee to the practitioner's success. 
 
 Bleeding is a measure life-giving in its proper use, and 
 deadly if abused. But because our forefathers abused the 
 practice is no reason why it should not be sometimes use- 
 ful. Because it is not fashionable to bleed is no reason 
 why it should not be valuable. Tliis point is very clearly 
 stated by Dr. Tilt : " No pathologist denies that hydraulic 
 effects are produced by bleeding, and that by diminishing 
 the quantity of blood we slacken the energy with which it 
 flows to some particular organ, and thereby diminish the 
 liability to congestion." It lessens the labor of the heart 
 and lungs, and allows the remaining blood to be oxygen- 
 ated and purified by natural influences ; it also promotes 
 the action of the skin and bowels. 
 
 I 
 
INFLAMMATIONS IN GENERAL. 
 
 29 
 
 Place and Manner of Bleeding. — The proper place to 
 bleed is in the jugular veiu, about two inches down the 
 neck, from where the two branches of the vein unite. In 
 local inflammation, blood-letting from a vein near the in- 
 jured part may be done with decided advantage. 
 
 TJie Manner of Bleeding. — This operation is so simple 
 that none need have any fears about undertaking it. A 
 small cord should be drawn tightly around the neck, about 
 six inches below the place where the orifice is to be made ; 
 as the vein fills cut smooth the hair so it may lie close 
 and straight with the vein. Then blindfold the hoi'se on 
 the side the blood is to be drawn. Now lay a broad- 
 shouldered fleam lengthwise and in the centre of the vein, 
 holding it in the left hand, and, with a hard piece of 
 wood in the right hand, strike the fleam with sufficient 
 force to cut into the vein. The orifice should be large, so 
 that the blood may be drawn as quickly as possible. Al- 
 ways bleed to attack the disease by causing a sudden 
 reaction, for if the blood runs slowly so that the ves- 
 sels have time to adapt themselves to their diminished 
 contents, the bleeding may be continued almost to death 
 without deriving any benefit. Permit the blood to flow 
 till lividity about the eyes, fluttering pulse, and relief of 
 pain indicate faintness, but never bleed the horse till he 
 is ready to fall. This should always be avoided. 
 
 The Place to feel the Pidse, and hoio it should beat to indi- 
 cate Bleeding. — The pulse is easily found upon the under 
 side of the lower jawbone. Here the submaxillary artery 
 crosses over the edge of the bone and feels like a small 
 cord under the skin. In health the pulsations are slow 
 and soft, beating from thirty-five to forty beats in the 
 minute ; muscular or nervous excitement from fast driv- 
 ing, fear or other causes, will quicken the pulse from ten 
 to fifteen beats in the minute. The horse should be per- 
 ifectly quiet when feeling the pulse. 
 
30 DISEASES OF THE HORSE. 
 
 A quick throbbing pulse indicates inflammation ; bleed 
 freely. Hard pulse, feverish excitement ; bleed freely. 
 Full corded pulse : skin, hair and eyes showing a de- 
 ranged condition. Chronic disease of long standing : bleed 
 moderately two or three times, ten or twelve days apart. 
 Small wiry pulse, beating from sixty to seventy per min- 
 ute : usually inflammation of the bowels; bleed freely. Op- 
 pressed wiry pulse, beating about seventy in the minute : 
 usually inflammation of the respiratory organs ; bleed 
 freely. Weak pulse : debility ; here bleeding means mur- 
 der ; rather give stimulants to arouse the drooping ener- 
 gies to proper action. 
 
 Subacute Lijiammation — Is a mitigated acute inflamma- 
 tion. 
 
 Chronic Inflammation — Is slow in its progress, less vio- 
 lent, and tends to last indefinitely. 
 
 Causes. — Its causes may be local or constitutional ; con- 
 tinued irritation ; or it may be the remains of acute in- 
 flammation, or the local manifestation of some constitu- 
 tional disorder, such as general debility, stimulating food, 
 disordered stomach or kidney ; consequently impurity of 
 the blood. 
 
 Treatment. — Remove all constitutional disorder, by giv- 
 ing some useful alteratives. (See Alteratives, Pharma- 
 macopiiB,) 
 
 1 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Diseases of the Feet. 
 
 Pumice Foot.— Ckacked Hoop.— False Qparter.— Seedy Toe.—Tread 
 AND Over-Eeacu.—Qdittob.— Thrush. — Corns.— Acdte Laminits, or 
 Fever in the Feet.— Navicular Dispjase. 
 
 PUMICE FOOT. 
 
 Cause. — The horse pastured on swampy land, having 
 high-knee action, batters the feet on hard roads. 
 
 Symptoms. — A long slanting pastern, the hoof marked 
 by rings, the crust broken where nails have been driven, 
 bulging and weak sole, good bars and frogs. 
 
 Treatment. — The only possible relief is by shoeing with 
 a bar shoe, the webb beaten out to form a dish, and a 
 leather or rubber sole. The nightly application of equal 
 parts oil tar, origanum oil and glycerine will have a ten- 
 dency to toughen the hoof. 
 
 CRACKED HOOFS. 
 
 Causes. — The hoof of the horse is epidermic tissue, com- 
 posed of matted hair in fibres running parallel to each 
 other in a direction from the coronet to the ground sur- 
 face. These fibres are glued together firmly in a round 
 and strong hoof ; but in a weak one it sometimes hap- 
 pens that the gelatinous matter is deficient, by treading a 
 long time upon hard and dry ground, or it may be caused 
 by treading, cutting the coronet in two with the heel- 
 corks. 
 
 Cracked hoofs are of two sorts, quarter-crack and toe- 
 crack. 
 
32 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 
 
 Quarter-crack is oftenest seen upon tlie inner quarter of 
 the hoof; toe-crack in front. 
 
 Treatment. — The only possible remedy is to confine the 
 hoof so it cannot spring open while the horse is in mo- 
 tion, and for this purpose, for toe-crack, shoe with a bar 
 shoe with equal bearing, weld clamps of nail-rod to each 
 heel of the shoe of sufficient length to be brought over the 
 hoof, within an inch of the hair ; punch a hole through 
 each end large enough to admit a small carriage bolt, 
 turn the ends up each side of the crack, and with knife 
 and rasp cut the sides of the crack down to the sensitive 
 flesh ; when this is done, let the foot down, and with a 
 sharp knife make an incision about an inch long length- 
 ways the coronet, and through the same ; then wash with 
 water and chloride of zinc, six ounces of the former to 
 one drachm of the latter. When all dirt is removed, ap- 
 ply the following : Take yellow wax, white resin, and 
 Burgundy pitch, of each two ounces : melt together over 
 a gentle fire ; then add of hog's lard one-half pound ; 
 when melted remove from the fire, and while yet warm, 
 add one ounce of spirits turpentine with a small quantity 
 of corrosive sublimate previously dissolved in it. Spread 
 a plaster of this upon cotton or linen cloth ; apply warm . 
 over the crack ; then draw the clamps over the plaster ; 
 put bolt through holes in the ends ; turn a nut on tight 
 enough to draw the clamps, in order to prevent the crack 
 from opening when the horse leans his weight upon that 
 foot, but not tight enough to cause pain. If you observe 
 to keep a plaster on in order to keep dirt out of the crack, 
 it will be nearly healed in six weeks, or before the shoe 
 wants setting. 
 
 Treatment.— Fox quarter-crack, shoe with a bar shoe 
 with equal bearing all around the foot from toe to heel. 
 Some recommend relieving the cracked quarter and put- 
 ting the bearing upon the frog. But as the frog is an 
 
DISEASES OF THE FEET. 66 
 
 elastic body and springs with pressure, the crack will 
 open every time the horse strikes that foot to the ground. 
 I prefer keeping the bearing off the frog, and have it the 
 same on the cracked quarter as upon the sound part of the 
 foot. After the shoe is properly put on treat the crack 
 with knife,. rasp and plaster, the same as recommended for 
 toe-crack, and it will heal with as little difficulty, but in- 
 stead of working the horse with either toe or quarter- 
 crack, a better way will be, and one that will show more 
 mercy, is to turn the horse into a clean box-stall and there 
 let him remain until well. 
 
 FALSE aUARTER. 
 
 This is a deficiency of the outer wall ; a portion of the 
 coronary substance has been lost, and it is beyond the 
 art or medication of man to restore. All that can be done 
 is to put on a bar shoe, chambered out in order Xp have 
 no bearing at the seat of false quarter. Dr. Mayhew re- 
 commends that the crust near to the weakened part 
 should be beveled off so as to join the soft horn with an 
 insensible edge. Apply a plaster over false quarter as 
 that recommended for cracked hoof. This treatment will, 
 perhaps, mitigate the suffering, which is all that can be 
 done. 
 
 SEEDY TOE. 
 This is a division of the outer wall and the sole ; it 
 invariably begins at the toe, caused by overwork and ex- 
 hausted frame. The only treatment consists in absolute 
 rest, the cutting away of detached horn, and keeping the 
 foot soft with tar and glycerine, or poulticing with lin- 
 seed meal ; do not work the horse until the hoof has be- 
 come perfect ; if worked the division will extend from 
 the toe to the heels, — in consequence the horse is ruined 
 for life. 
 
34 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 
 
 TREAD AND OVEE-REACH. 
 
 Causes. — The cause of tread is, the horse being- kept 
 standing on a slanting floor in the stable, and he places 
 one hind foot on top of the other in order to rest the back 
 tendons. Over-reach is caused by the horse becoming 
 tired and striking the outer side of the fore coronet with 
 the inner part of the hind foot. A wound, and sometimes 
 a severe one, is the consequence. False quarter, or quit- 
 tor, is likely to be the result. 
 
 Treatment. — First wipe away the dirt and remove with 
 a knife any loose edges that cannot unite ; apply a plas- 
 ter as recommended for cracked hoof ; put over a light 
 bandage and so protect the wound from dirt and at- 
 mospheric effects. 
 
 QUITTOR. 
 
 This is a chronic abscess of the foot ; and, from 
 the difficulty which nature has to overcome in find- 
 ing a way for the matter to reach the surface, it is al- 
 ways forming sinuses, or pipes. Quitter may be caused 
 by over-reach, bruise of the sole or prick of a nail. The 
 treatment must be the same as for fistula or pollevil ; an 
 opening must be formed so that no matter shall be con- 
 fined, but allowed to come away as fast as it forms, and 
 inject daily a part of the following solution : chloride of 
 of zinc two drachms, water one pint. Dr. Stewart gives 
 us a prescription, in his " American Farmer's Horse 
 Book," which I think answers still better. It is : Take 
 half-pint turpentine, and add one ounce powdered corro- 
 sive sublimate and one ounce gum camphor. I have 
 seen some very bad quittors cured by the daily use of 
 this liniment. 
 
 THRUSH. 
 
 This is an offensive discharge from the frog, caused 
 bj- standing in filthy stables, cow-dung-stopping, and ox- 
 
DISEASES OF THE FEET. 35 
 
 hausted body. The only treatment to be adopted is, the 
 removal of the horse to a clean, well ventilated stable, 
 liberal feeding, and the washing of the frog with a 
 quart of water, to which has been added an ounce of 
 bromo-chloralum ; then take a half-pint alcohol, add pow- 
 dered corrosive sublimate one ounce ; mix a part of this 
 with slaked lime, and spread it over the frog to harden it 
 and stop the discharge. 
 
 CORNS. 
 
 Corns are of two kinds, the new, and old or suppurating ; 
 both are caused by bruises to the sensitive sole. The un- 
 equal bearing of the shoe is the prolific agent in their 
 production. 
 
 Ti-eatment. — The treatment of corns is seldom difficult at 
 their first appearance, but for the suppurating it can be 
 only palliative. The diseased part must be carefully pared 
 out at each shoeing. Having done this, take glycerine 
 one ounce, and add carbolic acid two drachms ; introduce 
 some of this into the opening, and place over it some 
 tow or cotton, and shoe with a bar shoe chambered at 
 the seat of corn, with a leather sole. 
 
 ACUTE LAMINITS, OR FEVER IN THE FEET. 
 
 This disease lias been known for many years under the 
 terms founder and fever in the feet. It is an inflamma- 
 tion (which may be acute or chronic) of the parts be- 
 tween the wall and the coffin bone, including the laminte, 
 whence the name by which it is now known. 
 
 Causes. — The causes are either long confinement in a 
 standing position, traveling upon hard roads, not accus- 
 tomed to them, or by the over-heated horse getting a sud- 
 den chill by standing in snow or cold water. With such 
 abuse it is not uncommon for the horse to be seized with 
 acute laminits. 
 
36 DISEASES OF THE FEET. 
 
 Symptoms. — The feet will be found intensely liot, and 
 the arteries to beat with great violence. The pain is 
 unusually great, owing to the want of space for the swell- 
 ing which accompanies all inflammations. The horse 
 stands all in a heap, the back reached, and head erect ; 
 the hind feet are drawn under him to take the weight 
 from the front ones as much as possible, while the sore 
 and inflamed front feet are pushed out to receive the least 
 possible weight, and that upon the heels. 
 
 Ti^eatment. — In the first place everything must be 
 avoided that will irritate or excite the horse ; work 
 gently, and with the least possible noise ; place the horse 
 in a sling and put his front feet in a bucket of warm wa- 
 ter, and let them remain until softened, when the shoe 
 should be removed easily, by drawing one nail at a time. 
 This done, bleed in the toe, and give the following dose of 
 physic : Take castor oil six ounces, Barbadoes aloes three 
 drachms, carbonate of soda two drachms, oil of caraway 
 fifteen drops ; dissolve the aloes and soda in a pint of 
 warm water, and then add the other ingredients, and give 
 as a drench. Should the symptoms indicate extreme suf- 
 fering and inflammation, give fifteen drops tinct. of aco- 
 nite and one-half ounce tinct. opium ; repeat three times 
 a day, if necessary. 
 
 SUBACUTE LAMINIl^S. 
 
 This is a variety of the former disease. It may be the 
 remains of the former disease or be caused by thrush, na- 
 vicular disease, or standing idle in the stable for a long 
 time. 
 
 Symptoms. — Shambling gait, contracted feet, or falling 
 of the cofSn bone. 
 
 Treatment. — The treatment must be by shoeing with a 
 bur shoe and leather sole, to deaden the concussion. 
 
DISEASES OF THE FEET. 31 
 
 NAVICULAR DISEASE. 
 
 Cause. — Stepping upon stones, points of frozen dirt and 
 the like, injuring the fleshy frog, perforans tendon and na- 
 vicular bone. 
 
 Symptoms. — The symptoms will be, when in motion, 
 acute lameness, bringing the sore foot sparingly to the 
 ground, and throwing most of the weight upon the sound 
 one ; when standing, the sore foot will be pointed out, 
 resting upon the toe to relieve it. 
 
 This disease, if not relieved, will terminate in ulcera- 
 tion or contraction of the foot and a shrunken or degener- 
 ate state of the muscles of the shoulder. Nature has pro- 
 vided certain parts for certain purposes, and when these 
 purposes are avoided, those parts diminish in size ; so 
 with the horse's foot and shoulder, in navicular disease, 
 the mechanical action is impaired, the foot is spared in 
 progression, and pointed while standing, which obviously 
 changes its shape from the round healthy hoof, to the 
 narrow heels and hardened frog. The shoulder sympa- 
 thizes with the foot ; thus the degenerate or withered 
 muscle as a consequence. This is termed by some horse- 
 men as Sweeney of the shoulder. Sweeney, or the with- 
 ered muscle of the shoulder, and contraction of the feet 
 are not disease, but take place as the consequence of dis- 
 
 Trealment. — We can recommend no better treatment for 
 navicular disease than to shoe with a bar shoe, equal bear- 
 ing, heels slightly raised with a leather sole, filling in 
 under the leather with tar and glycerine, and blistering 
 around the heels with the liniment recommended by Dr. 
 Stewart : half-pint turpentine, one ounce powdered cor- 
 rosive sublimate, one ounce gum camphor ; mix and apply 
 daily, and bathe in two or three times with a hot iron. 
 
CHAPTER y. 
 
 Diseases and Injuries of the Limbs. 
 
 General Remarks.— Bone Spavin.-^Splint Ringbone Strain of the 
 
 Flexor Tendon. — Sprain of the Back Sinews.— Curb. — Occult Spav- 
 in.— Windgalls.-Bog Spavin.— Thorough-pin.— Capped Knee.— Cap- 
 ped Hock.— Capped Elbow. 
 
 GENERAL REMARKS. 
 
 The diseases of bone may be included under these four 
 heads, namely : 1. Exostosis or increased growth of bone, 
 the consequence of increased action in the nutrition of the 
 parts. 2. Caries, or ulceration, the result of inflammation. 
 3. Anchylosis is the result of caries in the two joining sur- 
 faces of a joint, producing bony union between them, and 
 thus preventing the after motion of that part. 4. Frac- 
 ture or dislocation by external force. 
 
 BONE SPAVIN. 
 
 This disease consists in exostosis from the external sur- 
 face of the tarsal or small bones of the hock, showing 
 itself on the inner side of the hock joint, caused most gen- 
 erally by a blow or strain. The symptoms of spavin are 
 in recent cases, whenever the horse is taken from the sta- 
 ble will limp in his action, the lameness soon goes off hy 
 driving, and may not return until the joint has become 
 stiff by rest. In motion the foot is raised with a quick 
 jerk, dragging of the limb, indicating pain and want of 
 action in the joint. 
 
 With regard to the different modes of treatment that 
 have been recommended and adopted for spavin, I must 
 
 I 
 
DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LIMBS. 39 
 
 say that most of them have been born in wickedness — the 
 heaping of cruelties upon suffering misery. Firing, firing 
 with blistering, setons, with or without subcutaneous 
 scarification and division of the nerve, all have been tried, 
 and all require the horse to have absolute rest for a defi- 
 nite period. And we may inquire at the eleventh hour, if 
 nature (in the same time left unobstructed in her etforts) 
 would not have done more good than the appliance of all 
 the above arts and medications that the wicked imagina- 
 tions of man has devised. 
 
 Now we encounter the important question, what can be 
 done for a spavined horse. If the animal be not lame, let 
 it alone. However large and unsightly the deposit may 
 be, do not run the risk of exciting a new action in a part 
 where disease exists in a quiescent form. If the animal 
 be lame, give good food and absolute rest. Do not con- 
 sent to have it tortured for a chance. Do not sell it to 
 have it live out the remainder of its days in misery and 
 torment. But while inflammation exists try to abate it, 
 and allay the pain by well rubbing the part with a mix- 
 ture of aqua ammonia, chloroform, sulphuric ether, of each 
 one ounce, spirits turpentine one-half ounce, and olive oil 
 three ounces. The pain having subsided, apply with fric- 
 tion some of the following ointment. It may reduce the 
 disease by provoking resolvency. It will also enable na- 
 ture to rectify man's abuse, will do more good in the same 
 time, cost less money than the devilries usually adopted 
 without success : beniodide of mercury one drachm, lard 
 one ounce. Mix, and apply once daily for three or four 
 days. To be followed by the daily use of arnica, to be 
 painted on with a brush. Tinct. of arnica lotion one 
 ounce, water twelve ounces. After applying the above for 
 two or three days, continue the treatment by fomenting 
 with warm water, two or three times daily. 
 
4U DISEASES AND INJURIES OF THE LIMBS. 
 
 SPLINT. 
 
 This disease is an exostosis, generally making its ap- 
 pearance on the inner side of the limbs below the knee, 
 connecting the splint bone by bony union with the large 
 metacarpal or cannon bone, causing severe lameness. 
 When its situation is such as to interfere with the back sin- 
 ews or suspensory ligament, give treatment the same as 
 recommended for spavin. 
 
 EING-BONE. 
 
 Ring-bone is an osseous deposit or exostosis, resembling 
 spavin and splint. It is caused by the violent efforts the 
 animal makes in drawing a heavy load up some steep hill. 
 Could the horse only speak he would have sufficient cause 
 to overwhelm man with its injuries. The disease may in- 
 volve one or more joints. It may exist as a slight en- 
 largement in front, above the hoof, or it may quite encir- 
 cle the coi'onet. Treatment the same as recommended 
 for spavin. 
 
 STRAIN OF THE FLEXOR TENDON. 
 
 The main cause of this disease is the horse drove down 
 a steep hill with a heavy load behind it. Here the stress 
 is all thrown upon the back tendons. The strain seldom 
 occasions much lameness. But the horse being worked 
 constantly, the injured part is daily excited. The limp- 
 ing may disappear with exercise, but the horse is always 
 sure to be stiff the next morning. Thus, a low chronic in- 
 flammation is kept up, and in consequence the sinews 
 gradually contract. 
 
 Treatment. — Keep the horse in the stable on suitable 
 food, bandage, and keep constantly wet with cold water. 
 Do not work the horse until sound. If this treatment fail, 
 then nothing will be of any benefit but division of the ten- 
 dons. 
 
DISEASES AND INJURIES (tF THE LIMBS. 41 
 
 sphain of the back sinews. 
 
 Sprain of the back sinews of the hind legs is a similar 
 disease, originated from similar causes as sprain of the 
 flexor tendons. 
 
 Treatment. — Cold fomentations ; shoe with a high-heeled 
 shoe to prevent over-shooting at the fetlock joint. If, how- 
 ever, the tendons should continue enlarged, blister with 
 beniodide of mercury, as recommended for spavin. 
 
 CURB. 
 
 Curb is an inflammation of the pcrforan tendon sheath, 
 causing an enlargement at the back of the hock, and is 
 usually caused by a blow or strain. The treatment should 
 be directed to abate the inflammation with the . following 
 lotion : borax 2 ounces, water 4 quarts. Apply a cloth 
 doubled two or three times to the back of the hock by 
 means of India rubber webbing tied above and below the 
 joint ; keep constantly wet with the above lotion until in- 
 flammation is banished, when blister with beniodide of 
 mercury as recommended for bone spavin. 
 
 OCCULT SPAVIN. 
 
 Occult spavin is an ulceration between the tarsal bones 
 composing the hock. At every step two ulcerated sur- 
 faces grate upon each other, causing the acutest sufiering. 
 The causes and symptoms are similar to bone spavin. No 
 enlargement may be seen for a long time, and when it 
 does appear it will be in the centre of the hock, which 
 will be enlarged both in front and inner side ; in conse- 
 quence, anchylosis is established, and the bones are no 
 longer capable of the slightest movement one upon the 
 other. The treatment will be precisely on the same plan 
 as for bone spavin. 
 
42 DISEASES AND INJURIES OP THE LIMBS. 
 
 WIND GALLS. 
 
 Wind galls are caused by an inflammation of the bursa 
 mucosa sacs situate above the fetlock joint. These sacs 
 are for the most part lying under tlie tendons. They are 
 naturally filled with an oily kind of fluid, the use of which 
 is to lubricate surfaces over which the tendons play. In 
 consequence of bruises or sprains this fluid collects some- 
 times to a great extent. The treatment consists in pres- 
 sure by means of bandages and cold lotions. Blistering 
 with beniodide of mercury and rest will remove them en- 
 tirely. But very often the horse is no sooner put to work 
 again than they return as bad as ever. 
 
 BOG SPAVIN AND THOEOUGH-PIN. 
 
 Bog spavin and thorough-pin are all of them originally 
 of the nature of wind galls. Bog spavin is nothing more 
 than a wind gall on the hock joint. Thorough-pin pierces 
 through the thinnest part of the hock. It may appear 
 single, but rarely present without bog spavin. These dis- 
 eases must be treated in the same way as recommended 
 for wind galls. 
 
 CAPPED KNEE AND CAPPED HOCK. 
 Capped knee in the fore limb answers to capped hock in 
 the hind leg- Both may have like causes and produce 
 like effects in most respects. They must be reduced like 
 wind galls, with absolute rest, pressure, cold lotions, and 
 blistering. Yet capped knee will sometimes expose the 
 horse to open joint, when it must be treated daily, by ap- 
 plying with a feather, Dr. Stewart's liniment : turpentine 
 one-half pint, powdered corrosive sublimate one ounce, 
 gum camphor one ounce ; mix. 
 
 CAPPED ELBOW. 
 Capped elbow is precisely similar in its nature to cap- 
 
INJURIES THEIR NATURE AND TREATMENT. 43 
 
 ped hock and must bo treated in the same way. It is 
 usually caused by the horse lying on the heel corks of the 
 shoe on the fore foot. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Injuries — Their Nature anb Treatment. 
 
 Fistula.— Poll-Evil.— Inflammation of the Vein.— Open Synovial 
 Joints. — Wocnds.^ — Shoulder Sprain. — Strains of the Hip-Joint and 
 Stifle. — Dislocation Fractures. 
 
 FISTULA. 
 Fistula consists of a deep abscess on the shoulder, 
 ending in an ulcerous sore with numerous pipes or sinuses, 
 usually caused by a blow or bruise. The treatment be- 
 fore abscess is formed should consist in keeping the skin 
 irritated by the daily application of alcohol one pint, pow- 
 dered corrosive sublimate one ounce, gum camphor one 
 ounce, tincture iodine two ounces. But when abscesses 
 are formed the only chance of a cure must be reposed in 
 the free use of the knife. Direct the knife in order to 
 separate the greatest number of pipes at one opening, 
 which should be made as low down as possible, in order 
 to allow all the matter to run out as fast as it forms. 
 This done wash out the part with water four quarts, bro- 
 mo chloralum one ounce ; wash with this lotion as neces- 
 sity requires, and apply once daily the above liniment with 
 a feather or small glass syringe. It will then heal by 
 granulations the same as ordinary wounds. 
 
 POLL-EVIL. 
 
 Poll-Evil is exactly similar in its nature to fistula, be- 
 ing provoked by the like causes. The treatment nni.st be 
 
44 INJURIES — THEIR NATURE AND TREATMENT. 
 
 the same as tliat described for fistula. Caution is neces- 
 sary with regard to the direction of the knife ; never per- 
 mit it to be applied to the root of the mane. Here an im- 
 portant ligament lies. Always direct the knife from the 
 mane, slanting down the neck. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE VEIN. 
 
 Inflammation of the vein sometimes occurs after bleed- 
 ing, by the horse being turned out to pasture or his eat- , 
 iug food from the level of his feet. When swelling is 
 seen in the immediate vicinity of the orifice withdraw 
 the pin and foment with warm water ; give rest, as the 
 origin of this is probably to be found in some impurity 
 of the blood. If the inflammation should not be reduced 
 by this treatment then apply blisters over the part. 
 
 OPEN SYNOVIAL JOINTS. 
 
 Acute inflammation of the synovial- membrane is pro- 
 duced by local causes, such as blows, strains, and espe- 
 cially by penetrating wounds. The joint most frequently 
 affected is the knee. 
 
 A penetrating wound usually punctures some of the 
 bursa mucosa sacs. Earely does it occur that the joint 
 itself is punctured so that synovia from between the bones 
 escapes. Open synovial cavities or open synovial joints 
 may be known by the escape of synovia in the form of 
 small oily globules, severe lameness, indicating a terrible 
 aching pain in the joint, aggravated by the slightest mo- 
 tion, great swelling occurring soon after the pain. In the 
 treatment adopted every local and constitutional measure 
 to avert or subdue inflammation of the synovial mem- 
 brane, which might prove fatal. Bestow as much kind- 
 ness and patience upon the poor suffering horse as you 
 would upon a sick child. Let everything be done without 
 
INJURIES THEIR NATURE AND TREATMENT. 45 
 
 noise or violence. A liarsh word or a blow may now, 
 when the whole system is shaking with pain, do more 
 harm than all the medicine in the world can repair. The 
 wound should be carefully cleaned with a lotion com- 
 posed of tincture of arnica two ounces, water one quart. 
 This done, close the wound and cover with a piece of lint 
 dipped in water one pint, chloride of zinc one drachm ; 
 bind loosely to keep in its place with a thin piece of cloth. 
 Dress the wound in this way twice daily, and keep the 
 horse as motionless as possible. Allow plenty of green 
 feed. If the bowels are costive give a mild dose of physic ; 
 then from one half to an ounce of tincture of opium mixed 
 in a little cold water, at night to relieve pain, and fifteen 
 drops tincture of aconite mixed in a little water three 
 times daily, to avert or subdue inflammation. 
 
 WOUNDS. 
 
 Wounds may be defined to be separations by external 
 violence of parts which ought to be united. The chief 
 varieties are : the incised wound, or those made by clean- 
 cutting instruments, produced by the least violence, and 
 generally admit most easily of repair ; the punctured, or 
 those made by something whose length greatly exceeds 
 its, breadth, such as slivers, and pricks by nails of all 
 sorts ; the lacerated, in which parts are torn ; the con- 
 tused are those produced by bruising. The lacerated and 
 contused wounds are produced with great violence, diffi- 
 cult to heal, and more likely to slough or suppurate. 
 
 We find that the repair of wounds may be accomplished, 
 as Dr. Paget describes, by five difiercnt modes, namely : 
 1. By immediate union. 2. By primary adhesion. 3. By 
 granulations. 4. By secondary adhesion, or the union of 
 granulations. 5. By healing under a scab. 
 
 The Process of Healing by Immediate Union. — Dr. Paget 
 holds that two conditions appear essential to it : first, ex- 
 
46 INJURIES THEIR NATURE AND TREATMENT. 
 
 actness of the coaptation of the wounded surfaces ; and 
 secondly, the absence of all inflammatory process : hence, 
 it appears that inflammation is not necessary to promote 
 the healing process. 
 
 There are many examples of wounds healing by imme- 
 diate union in man, where the wound heals perfectly in 
 four or five hours, without the individual having any pain 
 in the part after the moment of the infliction of the 
 wound. But it rarely occurs in the horse. I do not re- 
 collect of seeing but one case, although we may presume 
 it would occur oftener if man did not so violently usurp 
 nature's efforts. But most men no sooner attempt the 
 treatment of a wound than all the stimulating liniments 
 (which will provoke inflammation), balsams and salves 
 must be applied to heal it. These nostrums alone, in their 
 opinion, contain the material for repair ; they do not think 
 for a moment, of nature having anything to do. They 
 take all the responsibilities : and, again, if the wound is 
 healing by granulations, some men must be washing it 
 daily with soap and water, and by one single wipe with 
 the sponge the granulations may all be rubbed ofi", which 
 it had taken nature perhaps twenty-four hours to place 
 there ; or, if the wound be healing under a scab which 
 nature has thrown out, as a covering to protect it from 
 the air, this, by some men must, be picked ofi" every day. 
 When there are so many obstacles in the way of nature's 
 efforts, let the reader reflect, and say, if it be strange 
 that it should take wounds so long to heal, and that they 
 should so often suppurate or proud flesh grow in them. 
 
 Now, we encounter the important question, what can be 
 done for a wound ? The treatment of all wounds com- 
 prise four indications : 1. To stop bleeding. 2. To re- 
 move foreign and irritating bodies. 3. To bring the di- 
 vided parts into their natural position and keep them in 
 union. 4. To promote adhesions. 
 
INJURIES — THEIR NATURE AND TREATMENT. 4T 
 
 1. To Stop Bleeding. — Moderate pressure, a raised posi- 
 tion and blowing into the wound will be sufficient in most 
 cases, but if the bleeding prove obstinate, take matico 
 leaves one-half ounce, boiling water one pint ; infuse, and 
 when cold apply to the wound, or by pressing a puff-ball 
 on the wound is as sure a styptic as we know of. If an 
 artery be wounded, which may be known by the spurting 
 of blood, it must be taken up and tied. 
 
 2. To Remove Foreign and Irritating Bodies. — The re- 
 moval of foreign bodies, if any are in the wound, should 
 be effected as soon as possible, by the fingers or by for- 
 ceps. The best way to get rid of dirt or gravel is with 
 water and sponge. 
 
 3. To Bring the Divided Parts into their Natural Position. — 
 In bringing the divided parts into their natural position 
 the edges must be made to meet as nicely as possible, 
 because the more that the parts are adapted the less 
 chance will there be of suppuration, and the more speedy 
 and free from deformity will the cure be. The edges of 
 the wound may then be kept in their place by cross 
 strips of adhesive plaster. If a large lacerated wound, 
 stitches should be used. Direct the needle so that 
 one-half inch or more of the skin will be enclosed by 
 the stitch on each side of the wound, run all the stitches 
 through necessary, then bring the edges together and tie 
 the stitches. 
 
 4. To Promote Adhesions. — Parts that unite by adhe- 
 sions is by the effusion and organization of coagulable 
 lymph, and every circumstance that will disturb the lymph 
 exuded or that will cause it to decompose must be avoided. 
 The wounded part should be kept as motionless as possi- 
 ble. The horse may be placed in a sling if necessary. 
 Punctured wounds should be incised so that no matter can 
 accumulate. The healiug process may be excited by ap- 
 plying carbolic acid one drachm, water four ounces ; or, 
 
4 s INJURIES — THEIR NATURE AND TREATMENT. 
 
 chloride of zinc, one draclim, water one pint. This will 
 probably prevent any tendency to unhealthy action. 
 
 SHOULDER SPRAIN. 
 
 Shoulder Sprain, or what is termed in horsemen's lan- 
 guage, Sweeney, is most always chosen as the seat of in- 
 jury in case of lameness of the fore extremity, and those 
 follows who pretend to have a profound knowledge of 
 horse ailments will always exhibit the withered muscle of 
 the shoulder as a proof of their coi-rectness, but if the 
 limb be thrown out of use, as in navicular disease, this 
 degenerate state of the muscles will always occur. 
 Sliouider sprain may be caused by a fall or by a slip, 
 causing the legs to be widely separated. The symptoms 
 will be, instead of the withered muscle, a round plump 
 shoulder, caused by inflammation "and swelling. The 
 horse in progression will drag the limb and rarely if ever 
 lift the toe from the ground, and it will cause great pain 
 if the foot be lifted and drawn forward. 
 
 The treatment will consist in bleeding, followed by 
 warm fomentations until the inflammation is subdued, 
 when seton. This is done by taking a piece of tape about 
 a foot long, smeared with blister ointment, and passing it 
 through beneath the skin, leaving the ends hanging out 
 with a knot tied upon each. The ends of the tape should 
 be sponged daily, to remove any accumulated matter, 
 smeared with tile ointment, and drawn in until a profuse 
 discharge takes place. 
 
 STRAINS OF THE HIP-JOINT AND STIFLE. 
 
 Strain of the hip-joint may be caused by the hind feet' 
 
 slipping. It may be known by a dropping of the aifected 
 
 hip, but a still better test, as Mayhew describes, is to hold 
 
 •some soft substance over the joint, then to strike it with 
 
 a mallet : the shock will be communicated to the seat of 
 
INJURIES — THEin NATURE AND TREATMENT. 49 
 
 lameness and elicit an energetic response ; here the dis- 
 ease is so deep seated that fomentations and blisters will 
 be of no use. The only chance of a cure must be reposed 
 in rest, and a seton inserted in the skin adjacent. Strains 
 of the stifle may be the result of a blow or strain, which 
 may be known by tenderness and swelling of the joint. 
 The treatment must be rest and warm fomentations, followed 
 by blistering. 
 
 DISLOCATIONS. 
 
 Dislocations may be caused by muscular action or ex- 
 ternal violence, and may be known by deformity of the 
 joint or unnatural prominence at one part and a depres- 
 sion at another, with the loss of motion of the joint. 
 
 Treatment. — The reduction of dislocations should be 
 effected by getting the head of the displaced bone into 
 such a position that the muscles may draw it into its 
 socket. The joint usually affected by dislocation is the 
 stifle, and the reduction of the same may be done by tying 
 a rope, (round the pastern of the affected limb), of suffi- 
 cient length to be passed over a pulley ahead of the horse 
 and brought back ; this should be laid hold of by an as- 
 sistant, in order to pull the leg forward and upward, 
 while the operator stands by the hips, with both hands 
 pushing the head of the displaced bone inward until drawn 
 into its place. Dr. Spooner gives an excellent advice : af- 
 ter the bone has been returned, to place an assistant by 
 the horse's side, with strict orders to hold the joint in its 
 place for some hours. Such advice should be always car- 
 ried out ; if not, the cure will be rendered extremely diffi- 
 cult by the uneasiness of the horse, which was created for 
 action, and the tying him in anj'- way to keep him still 
 will only make matters worse, 
 3 
 
50 DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIN, 
 
 FRACTURES. 
 
 Fractures may be divided into two varieties, namely : 
 simple and compound , 
 
 When compound fracture occurs, that is, when the 
 broken edges of bone penetrate through the tendons and 
 skin, no treatment should be adopted. Better destroy the 
 horse at once, and so put an end to his misery and your 
 own labor. 
 
 Simple fracture may be complete or partial, (green- 
 stick fracture), part only breaking and the rest bending. 
 With regard to treatment, the horse must be placed com- 
 fortably in slings ; the broken parts must be adjusted in 
 their natural position by means of holding the upper part 
 of the limb while the lower part is stretched in a direction 
 to restore the limb to its natui'al length and shape. This 
 done, a bandage must be smoothly applied, one four inches 
 wide and about fifteen feet long, saturated with starch ; 
 wrap the bandage five or six times around the limb so 
 that it lays smooth, then apply splints of wood to each 
 side, carved to shape the limb, when wrap around over the 
 splints the remainder of the bandage. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Diseases of the Eye and Skin. 
 
 Simple Opthalmia.— Specific Opthalmia.— Cataract — Obstritctxon in 
 THE Lachrymal Duct.— Mange.— Warts.— Tumors.— Swelled Legs — 
 Sit-Tart. — Mali.endeks and Sallenders. — Cracked Heels, or 
 Scratches. 
 
 SIMPLE OPTHALMIA. 
 
 Simple opthalmia, or inflammation, is the most common 
 disease to which the horse's eye is subject. It may be 
 
DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIN. 51 
 
 caused by foreign bodies getting into the eye, such as hay- 
 seed or chafif, but the worst remains to be told ; the vio- 
 lence of man contributes largely to this disease, by whip- 
 ping over the head or by exposure. The symptoms will 
 be the eye half closed, with eyelids slightly swollen ; the 
 cheek bedewed with tears, and conjunctive membraue of 
 a milky appearance ; the white of the eye will be covered 
 with a fine net-work of red vessels ; and the haw, that 
 delicate membrane which is situated at the lower corner 
 of the eye, is usually so inflamed and enlarged as to partially 
 cover the eye. In the treatment do not attempt to cure 
 disease of one organ at the expense of another, by extract- 
 ing wolf teeth (these have no connection with the eye, and 
 impossible to be the cause of inflammation), or by cutting 
 the haw. In the name of mercy, spare this organ, which 
 God, in his sovereign wisdom, bestowed to the eye as a 
 washer, to remove any offending substance. Please resort 
 to milder measures, and when the inflammation is sub- 
 dued the haw will be reduced to its natural size and posi- 
 tion. Carefully remove any foreign substance from the 
 eye, if any ; bleed moderately, if the horse will bear it ; 
 feed plenty of green food, and foment the eytyfour or five 
 times a day with borax one-half ounce, water one quart. 
 Purulent opthalmia, or the second stage of simple op- 
 thalmia, maybe known by mucus purulent secretions from 
 the eye. Then use as a wash thirty grains tannate of zinc 
 in six ounces of water and one-half ounce of mucilage. 
 
 SPECIFIC OPTHALMIA. 
 Specific or periodic opthalmia, is the effect of a disease, 
 known by horsemen, as moon eyes. This disease is, un- 
 doubtedly, often brought on by the darkness and foul nox- 
 ious vapors which are emitted in the low vaults which the 
 horse is so often consigned to by man. The symptoms ap- 
 pear very suddenly, and often there is a great and sudden 
 
52 DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIN, 
 
 improvement for a time, but the same causes that brought 
 on the first attack fi-equently provokes another. The white 
 of the eye looks of a deep red color (the iris). The col- 
 ored pai-t of the eye often exhibits one or more vt'hite 
 specks upon it, with intolerance of light and unusual flow 
 of tears. In the treatment, constitutional as well as local 
 measures must be adopted. Remove the horse into a clean 
 well ventilated stable. His whole system has become 
 poisoned by the noxious vapors of the one he has been 
 standing in, and the aqueous humor of the eye in conse- 
 quence is undergoing a fearful deterioration. The origin 
 of this is, undoubtedly, to be found in some impurity of 
 the blood. For constitutional treatment bleed moderately 
 and give some powerful alterative, such as sulphur resin 
 and glauber salts, mixed in equal parts. Give a table- 
 spoonful of this mixture every night in a feed of scalded 
 oats or bran mash, Tlie local treatment will consist in 
 guarding the eye from the effects of light until it ii able 
 to bear it. For this purpose tie a piece of cloth to each 
 end of the halter, above the eyes ; keep this wet with the 
 tannate of zinc lotion, and foment the eye four or five 
 times a day with the same. 
 
 CATAEACT. 
 
 Cataract consists in opacity of the crystalline lens or its 
 capsule, which prevents the passage of the rays of light 
 and precludes vision. The causes are obscure. 
 
 Symptoms. — The horse shying by viewing objects im- 
 perfectly. The pupil seems closed by an opaque body of 
 a whitish color, the pupil dilating and contracting. The 
 opacity goes on increasing until the horse is blind. 
 
 This disease in the horse must be considered as a hope- 
 less case. If inflammation exists foment with the borax 
 lotion, which will afford tempoi-ary relief. ' 
 
DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIN. 53 
 
 AMAUROSIS, OR PALSY OF THE OPTIC NERVE. 
 
 Amaurosis consists in loss of power of the optic nerve, 
 or retina, causing partial or complete blindness, without 
 any alteration in the organization of the eyes. Setons or 
 blisters below the eyes are the most successful remedies. 
 
 OBSTRUCTIONS IN THE LACHRYMAL DUCT. 
 
 The lachrymal duct is a small opening leading from 
 the eye to the nostril. Any foreign substance getting 
 into it will prevent the escape of tears. The obstruction 
 may be removed by injecting water up the nasal termina- 
 tion of the duct. 
 
 MANGE. 
 
 Mange is generally produced by contact with horses 
 affected with the disease. It corresponds with the itch of 
 the human subject, caused by an insect which, in the 
 horse, is visible to the naked eye. The symptoms will be 
 an excessive itching of the skin, with the hair falling off 
 in patches. The ti-eatment must be directed to the de- 
 struction of the insect, which may be done in the follow- 
 ing manner : brush the horse until the scabs are re- 
 moved, (when the acari may be seen moving about like 
 mites in a cheese), when apply the following from head 
 to foot with a brush : Take of sulphur six ounces, 
 sperm oil one pint, spirits of turpentine throe ounces, cor- 
 rosive sublimate two drachms. Dissolve the corrosive 
 sublimate with the turpentine by rubbing in a mortar ; 
 then mix with the other ingredients. Apply this, and 
 allow it to i-emain for two days, when wash with soap 
 and water, rub dry, and dress the sore parts with gly- 
 cerine four ounces, carbolic acid four drachms, turpentine 
 one ounce. After a cure has been effected carefully 
 clean all the apartments _by washing and fumigating 
 with sulphur. 
 
54 DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIti. 
 
 WARTS. 
 
 Warts may be divided into two varieties, namely, the 
 seed, and blood wart. 
 
 Seed warts are generally small, and usually make their 
 appearance on the eyelids and nose. They have little hard 
 points, and grow in patches connected with the cuticle 
 and cellular membrane, from which they derive their 
 growth. They indicate a morbid condition of the skin, 
 but do very little harm, and often disappear without treat- 
 ment. 
 
 Blood warts, like seed warts, have been known to grow 
 on all parts of the body. They are a fungous growth 
 from the cellular membrane, of a spongy texture, and 
 bleed upon the slightest irritation. 
 
 In the treatment, nitric acid will be found to be the 
 best remedy for eating down the growth and destroying 
 the seed. But this must be handled with the utmost pos- 
 sible caution. To prevent the acid from destroying the 
 healthy skin, surround the wart on all sides with a coat- 
 ing of lard ; then pick the scab from the wart, and apply 
 the acid daily, until properly reduced, when apply carbolic 
 acid one drachm, mixed in one ounce of glycerine, once 
 daily until a cure is effected. 
 
 TUMORS. 
 These are so various that it is impossible to particular- 
 ize them. In every case a surgeon should be consulted 
 before they are meddled with. 
 
 SITFAST. 
 
 This affection consists in an ulcerated sore with hard or 
 bony edges, resembling an ulcerated corn on the human 
 foot, caused by the chafing of the saddle or the back-pad. 
 Like fistula and pollevil, sitfast unquestionably has its ori- 
 gin in some impurity of the blood, and the chafing of the 
 
DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIN. 55 
 
 saddle or the back-pad prepares the soil while the morbid 
 principle of the blood gives it growth. 
 
 Treatment. — Remove the excrescence with a knife, and 
 treat the wound with the chloride of zinc lotion, one grain 
 of the chloride of zinc to an ounce of water. During the 
 local treatment keep the bowels laxative, with bran 
 mashes. Mix and give in the night and morning mash, a 
 tablespoonful of the sulphur resin and glauber salt, mixed 
 in equal parts, which may carry off the morbid effusion of 
 the blood. 
 
 SWELLED LEGS, OE CEDEMA. 
 
 The cellular membrane of the skin of the legs are liable 
 to two varieties of swelling, namely : inflammatory swelled 
 leg, called by horsemen weed ; and ordinary swelling or 
 filling of the legs. 
 
 Inflammatory swelled leg comes on suddenly, accom- 
 panied with fever, almost always showing itself on the in- 
 side of the hind leg above the hock, which is very hot and 
 tender. In the treatment, bleed if necessary, followed by 
 a dose of physic. If the swelling is not reduced in three 
 or four days, give the diuretic powder as recommended 
 for sitfasL 
 
 Ordinary swelling, or simple oedema, may be caused by 
 any circumstance which hinders the return of. venous 
 blood, for instance, when horses are first brought in from 
 grass their legs almost always swell more or less, owing 
 to their nonpex'formance from want of space to exercise, or, 
 secondly, it may be caused by a depraved state of the 
 blood, arising from disease of the kidneys, renal dropsy, 
 diuretic medicines, such as sweet spirits of nitre, and nitre, 
 known better by the name of saltpetre, are often the sole 
 cause of the legs swelling. Some men use diuretics con- 
 tinually, whether they are wanted or not, so that the kid- 
 neys become diseased and refuse to act ; in consequence. 
 
50 DISEASES OF THE EYE AND SKIN. 
 
 a depressed state of ihc blood, effusion of scrum, and 
 oedema in the limbs. In the diagnosis navicular disease, 
 or injuries of the feet must not be oveilooked. The treat- 
 ment must depend upon the exact cause. If the swelling 
 is caused 'by the change from exercise to confinement, 
 turn the horse loose into a box-stall when in the stable. 
 Remove the cause, and the effects will follow. If weak- 
 ness or depressed state of the blood is the cause, give ton- 
 ics, diuretics or physic, such as tend to drain the blood of 
 its impure materials and give vigor to the circulation, and 
 by means of local stimulation, such as hand-rubbing, and 
 by bandages. If diuretics are adopted let them be of the 
 mildest kind, such as powder recommended for sitfast. 
 If the fibrin should separate from the serum and cause an 
 indolent thickening of the cellular tissue, the treatment 
 should then be blisters. Blister with biniodide of mer- 
 cury, as recommended for bone spavin. 
 
 MALLENDEES AND SALLENDEES. 
 
 These diseases consist in the appearance of a foul scab- 
 by eruption, with skin underneath hard and stiff, (a spe- 
 cies of lepra in the human subject). They are of the same 
 nature, differing only in location, mallendei-s showing it- 
 self at the back of the knee, and sallenders at the bend of 
 tlie hock, caused by filth and getting the legs wet and 
 leaving them undried. 
 
 The treatment required is keep the parts dry and clean, 
 and apply daily the following lotion : one drachm of car- 
 bolic acid to one ounce of glycerine. 
 
 SCRATCHES, OR GREASE. 
 
 This eruption consists in swelling of the legs and heels, 
 which soon cracks and exudes an offensive watery serous 
 fluid, which inflames and spreads the eruption to every 
 part that it touches. The causes may be either constitu- 
 
DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 5*1 
 
 tional, as swelling of the legs, oedema and genei-al debil- 
 ity, or local, as filth and chilblains, by the legs getting 
 wet and nevei- dried. In the treatment constitutional 
 measures will have to be adopted sometimes, as well as 
 local. For constitutional treatment give every night in a 
 bran mash a tablespoonful of that mild diuretic and pow- 
 ei-ful alterative powder, sulphur resin and glauber salts, 
 mixed in equal parts ; and for local treatment, we can re- 
 commend nothing better than to keep the parts dry and 
 clean, and applj'ing twice daily the carbolic acid and gly- 
 cerine, one drachm of the former to an ounce of the latter. 
 
 CHAPTER Vin. 
 
 Diseases of the Brain and Nervous System. 
 
 Phrenitis, ok Inflammation of the Brain. — Megrims, or Epilepsy. — 
 Blind Staggers. — Sleepy Staggers and Mad Staggers. — Tetanus, or 
 Lockjaw.— Paralysis.— Stringhalt.— Son-Stroke. 
 
 PHRENITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE BRAIN. 
 
 This is a disease characterized by the horse suffering the 
 greatest agony by a violent pain in the head, redness of 
 the eyes, intolerance of light and sound, watchfulness and 
 furious delirium. Its causes are the same as other inflam- 
 mations. A practice in which some men indulge their ugly 
 passions by striking the horse over the head with the but- 
 end of a whip may induce it or by over-feeding and .light 
 work, and by sun-stroke. Before the horse becomes infu- 
 riated the most active treatment must be pursued. Ee- 
 peated bleeding, relieving the bowels by physic, back -rak- 
 ing and injections and pouring ice-water upon the head. 
 In the violent stage, no treatment, however well-directed, 
 will be of any use. In the name of mercy, shoot the horse 
 
58 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
 
 at once, and put an end to his mighty anguish before he 
 has done more injury to himself and demolished everything 
 within his reach. 
 
 MEGUIMS, OE EPILEPSY. 
 
 This is a cerebi-o-spinal disease, which may be idiopathic 
 or symptomatic, spontaneous, or accidental, which occurs 
 in paroxysms with uncertain intervals between. Dissec- 
 tion has thrown no light on its patliology, therefore the 
 causes are unknown. These paroxysms are characterized 
 by insensibility and by convulsive motion of the muscles. 
 Frequently the fit attacks suddenly, at other times it is 
 preceded by stubbornness and stupor. The reins are 
 pulled and the whip plied to no purpose. One horse may 
 stop suddenly, stare about, and then go on as though 
 nothing had happened, while a second may be seized 
 with an irrepressible desire to kick the dash-board to 
 pieces, thus endangering the driver's shins, and a tliird 
 may persist in running into shop-doors and smash them 
 down with tremendous violence. Then comes a loss of 
 sensation, sudden falling down, distortion of the eyes, 
 grinding of the teeth, foaming at the month, convul- 
 sions of the limbs, difficult breathing, with sometimes in- 
 voluntary discharge of dung and urine. When these 
 symptoms occur the majority of men are for bleeding in 
 the mouth. This is of no use, and nature never intended 
 the blood to be either food or drink for the horse. Loosen 
 the harness at once, and let the person in charge seat him- 
 self upon the horse's head and remain there until the ani- 
 mal is perfectly recovered, then speak kindly to him, and 
 permit him to rise. The ordinary duration of a fit is from 
 five to ten minutes ; sometimes it goes oif in a few seconds. 
 
 In the treatment the cause must be sought after, and if 
 possible removed. If the disease is symptomatic of irrita- 
 tion in the stomach or bowels, by worms, spasms of the 
 
DISEASES OF THE BRAI.V AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 59 
 
 diaphragm, indigested food, gastritis, etc, remove the irri- 
 tation if possible. Ultimate recovery will be vexy unfa- 
 vorable. One grain nitrate of silver mixed in a ball 
 with molasses and oil meal, may be given daily. But gen- 
 erally all that can be done is to keep the horse in a well 
 ventilated stable, with liberal feed and kind treatment, and 
 always use him where he can do no harm. Do not attempt 
 to sell him, as such a sale is illegal. The law demands 
 that everything sold shall be fit for its uses. 
 
 BLIND STAG&ERS. 
 This is a name vaguely applied to megrims, the disease 
 which we have just described. The term staggers is ap- 
 plied by some men to every disease that causes a stagger- 
 ing gait. Hence we have stomach staggers, brain stag- 
 gers, sleepy staggers, and mad staggers, each applied 
 from effect rather than cause. Blind staggers is properly 
 applied to the disease in question, for it indicates two ef- 
 fects of the disease, namely : blindness and staggering 
 gait, and points to its true pathology. As this disease is 
 iiot known in Europe or anywhere else except in the South- 
 ern States of America, we are compelled to draw from the 
 pages of Stewart, in describing it, a gentleman who, in 
 our opinion, was the first to discover its true pathology. 
 He describes the corn grown upon new land in the South- 
 ern States to be badly eaten by a species of greenish yel- 
 low worm, which leaves upon it a dust, or excrement of a 
 very poisonous nature. As an evidence of the poisonous 
 qualities of this worm dust, if a plaster, made by mixing 
 it with vinegar, be placed upon the back of the hand, it 
 will raise a blister in a short time. Nature supplies to 
 the eyes of all animals of the higher types of organism a 
 watery secretion to wash the eyes and keep them moist, 
 and when this fluid has performed its oflSce it passes off 
 through the lachrymal duct into the nose. And, as Stew- 
 
GO DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND lfERV(<US SYSTEM. 
 
 art describes, " when the horse eats the worm-eaten corn, 
 he snuffs the excrementary dust upon it up his nose, and 
 it sometimes lodges in the lachrymal duct. Its poisonous 
 qualities cause them to inflame, swell and fester, from 
 which they shortly become closed, so that the water from 
 the eyes cannot be discharged. These ducts communicate 
 with the nasal cavities of the head, which, in like manner, 
 become filled with the retained poisonous secretion. They 
 remain not long in this condition before disease and inflam- 
 mation set in. The surrounding parts are next involved. 
 Finally, the optic nerve — the nerve of the eye — becomes 
 affected, and at once blindness and staggering begin. The 
 brain and the whole head partake of the rapidly-spreading 
 derangement, and presently, the stomach, also, with the 
 entire line of the intestinal canal. The dreadful virus 
 affects every vital organ, and nearly every part of the 
 body. It is a strange and peculiar poison, equally so, 
 in its nature and effects." The horse sometimes becomes 
 so delirious, as a result from the mighty anguish raging 
 within his skull, that it is impossible to approach him. 
 But when the horse can be approached, Dr. Stewart re- 
 commends the following treatment : Bleed the horse as 
 long as he can bear it, then give a drench, as follows : a 
 half pound of epsom salts in a pint of warm water, to 
 which add a gill of moderately strong tobacco juice. The 
 effects of this drench is to make the patient quiet, so that 
 you may handle him as you please. But we think if one 
 ounce of chloroform and one ounce tincture of opium, 
 mixed in a little water, was given as a substitute, it would 
 be more effectual and more safe. 
 
 He also recommends swabbing the nostrils with tobacco 
 juice, quite warm, to open the ducts, and let the matter 
 collected in them run out. As the disease consists in an 
 obstruction of the lachrymal duct, a cure must depend 
 upon the opening of them. In addition to the swabbing. 
 
DISEASES OP THE DRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 6l 
 
 we would recommend forcing a jet of lukewarm water up 
 the duct with a syringe, the same as recommended for ob- 
 struction in the lachrymal. Keeping the horse quiet, feed- 
 ing him green food, and raising a blister over the region 
 of the brain, constitute the treatment. 
 
 SLEEPY STAGGEES AND MAD STAGGERS. 
 
 This disease is evidently a form of apoplexy. The most 
 frequent causes are high feeding and limited exercise. 
 But a horse over-gorged will undoubtedly be a proper 
 subject for the mad stage of this disease, or mad staggers. 
 The horse may get loose in the stable and reach the grain- 
 box, and from there he eats until he becomes comatose. 
 But from this state he soon arouses with a burning thirst, 
 and when water is reached he drinks until the stomach is 
 stretched to the uttermost, which causes inflammation. 
 The brain sympathizes, and speedily an increased flow of 
 blood to that organ occurs, and the horse becomes deliri- 
 ous. Sleepy staggers is characterized by loss of sensa- 
 tion. The horse is unconscious of surrounding objects ; 
 he sleeps, or seems to do so ; he is in a comatose state. 
 The circulation and breathing alone testifies that life re- 
 mains. He now begins to foam at the mouth. His 
 breathing is laborious and loud, and speedily he is in a 
 mad phrensy. 
 
 The disease generally consists in pressure upon the 
 brain, either from turgescence of blood vessels or from in- 
 creased flow of blood : hence, the treatment indicated is 
 very plain. Bleeding must be speedily carried to its full 
 extent. Next give chloroform and tincture of opium, of 
 each an ounce, mixed in a little water, as a sedative. If 
 caused by over-gorging, bleed, and give one pint castor 
 oil with ten drops cioton oil. The stomach may also be 
 relieved through sympathy, by unloading the bowels, which 
 may be done by back-raking and giving injections. 
 
62 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND .NERVOUS SYSTEM. 
 
 But, as Dr. Youatt remarks, " if the golden hour is per- 
 mitted to pass, or if remedial measures have become in- 
 effectual, the scene all at once changes, and the most vio- 
 lent reaction succeeds. It may be said to change to fe- 
 rocity ; but the animal has no aim, no object in what lie 
 does. He darts furiously at everything within his reach, 
 but no mind, no design, seems to mingle with or govern 
 his fury. Another, and another remission, and a return of 
 the exacerbation follow, and then wearied out, he becomes 
 quiet ; but it is not the quietness of returning reason — 
 it is mere stupor. This continues for an uncertain pe- 
 riod, and then he begins to struggle again ; but he is 
 probably unable to rise. He pants, he foams ; at length, 
 completely exhausted, he dies." 
 
 TETANUS, OR LOCKJAW. 
 
 Tetanus is a disease which consists in a rigidity of all 
 the muscles or merely of some, witliout alternations of re- 
 laxation. There are two forms of this malady, differing 
 more in their mode of causation than in the symptoms by 
 which they are characterized. They have been named idi- 
 opathic and traumatic. Idiopathic tetanus arises from 
 constitutional causes, from some disorder of the blood or 
 nervous system, without wound ; and the traumatic teta- 
 nus, or that which originates directly from a wound. The 
 causes of traumatic tetanus are predisposing and excit- 
 ing. The predisposing causes are a rapid change from 
 hot to cold and damp weather, exposure, an irritable dis- 
 position, physical exhaustion, and disorder of the stomach 
 or bowels. Traumatic tetanus may be prevented, in a 
 great measure, by graduating the clothing of the horse 
 according to the temperature of the air. 
 
 The exciting- causes are where nerves are exposed, or 
 where they are pressed, stretched or torn, or by punctured 
 wounds of the feet, or the operations of nicking and dock- 
 
DISEASES OF THE BRAIM AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. C3 
 
 ing. Sometimes it is provoked by the great pain of a 
 wound during its inflammatory state. But the most com- 
 mon period is where the wound is nearly healed. 
 
 The symptoms which characterize its actual accession, 
 are, rigidity and stiffness about the muscles of the lower 
 jaw and neck, observed first, in most cases, upon the side 
 corresponding to the wound ; the patient is unable to open 
 the mouth, the nostrils are dilated, the eyes retracted, with 
 the haw thrust forward over them on raising the head, the 
 ears erect and still, and the countenance a picture of mis- 
 ery. When the disease has progressed no farther than 
 this it is called lock-jaw, and in mild cases, or if the mal- 
 ady be of an idiopathic type, the prognosis is favorable for 
 arresting the disease at this stage. 
 
 More often, however, the disease steadily advances until 
 the patient is scarcely able to stand and plants his feet 
 widely apart to prop himself up, the tail becomes a fixture, 
 the bowels are costive, and, sooner or later, all the mus- 
 cles of the body become rigid, constituting true tetanus. 
 
 All kinds of treatment have been tried for tetanus, and 
 it is said that each has resulted in success ; but it does 
 seem that whatever remedy we employ we cannot hope 
 for recovery, except by sustaining the system until the lo- 
 cal irritation (which we assume to be the cause of the 
 spasms) has been subdued. Remove all offending sub- 
 stances from the wound if there be any ; make inci- 
 sions if necessary, for the free discharge of matter ; and 
 if nerve or tendon happens to be on the stretch divide it. 
 This done, everything after depends upon keeping the 
 horse quiet and upon getting tl;e bowels open. Every 
 nerve is alive to excitement, and the horse cannot endure 
 the slightest sound. Pulling and hauling him about to 
 administer medicine will do more har.m than all the reme- 
 dies that can be employed (no matter how well directed) 
 can counteract Mix one pint castor oil and ten drops 
 
64 DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM, 
 
 croton oil, and give without exciting the horse, if possi- 
 ble ; then remove him to a solitary stable, bedded vpith 
 saw-dust ; place within his reach a pail of linseed or some 
 other nourishing gruel ; allow no noise, and permit no op- 
 eration. Bleeding must not be used unless there is satis- 
 factory evidence that the disease is dependent on inflam- 
 mation of the spinal cord. 
 
 PARALYSIS. 
 
 Paralj'sis in the horse is generally never more than par- 
 tial. It locates itself in the hind extremities, and may be 
 characterized by an unsteady rolling gait, one hind foot 
 always getting in the way of the other. But as the dis- 
 ease advances it becomes one of nervous debility, and the 
 horse is unable to rise. The immediate cause is generally 
 pressure, either by blood effused or by serum, or by vascu- 
 lar turgescence of the spinal cord. 
 
 In the treatment, at its outset, bleeding may be advisable, 
 but as the malady generally becomes one of nervous debil- 
 ity, it requires stimulants to the paralyzed parts or to the 
 mucous membranes, friction by hand-rubbing over the 
 loins or blisters maybe applied to stimulate an absorption 
 of the effused blood, or serum, and thirty drops tincture 
 nux vomica may be given, mixed in a little water, three 
 times daily. This drug has the property of exciting move- 
 ments where the will has no longer power, but it must be 
 handled with the utmost possible caution. It is a power- 
 ful irritating poison, and will cause stringhalt and teta- 
 nus in all their severest forms. As soon as the dose given 
 as recommended above takes effect upon the system, which 
 may be characterized by sudden spasmodic jerking of the 
 muscles, the dose ought to be diminished or suspended. 
 The disease generally admits only of palliation, and is ex- 
 tremely apt to recur, and undoubtedly the most humane 
 plan is to put the horse out of his misery by a well di- 
 rected rifle ball. 
 
DISEASES OF THE BRAIN AND NERVOUS SYSTEM. 65 
 
 STRINGHALT. 
 
 Stringbalt is characterized by a peculiar snatcliing up 
 of the hind limbs in succession, which movement is en- 
 tirely involuntary. The causes supposed are twofold : 
 first, Messrs. Percivall, Goodwin, and Mayhew, suppose the 
 cause to exist upon injury to the posterior portion of the 
 spinal column. Dissection has revealed to them that " the 
 injured part throws out a spicula of bone no larger than a 
 needle-point perhaps, but it presses upon the spinal mar- 
 row, and lasting stringhalt is the result." Secondly, 
 McClure and others think the " balance of power is not 
 equal, the articulary ligaments of the hock-joint are strong- 
 er than the muscles of the thigh. Hence, the moment the 
 horse lifts his foot from the ground the leg is instantane- 
 ously snatched up by the power of the ligaments." The 
 writer's idea of the causes are in accordance with both of 
 these observations : the first, of stringhalt in its severest 
 form, where it is perceptible at every step ; the second, ia 
 cases where stringhalt is seen only for a few steps after 
 the animal has started, or when he is forced to back up. 
 Many colts before breaking, or before they are three years 
 old, show these symptoms, especially in cold weather, and 
 never become much worse during their lives, unless horri. 
 bly abused — a disease with their nervous temperament, 
 which they have inherited from their sire or dam. ■ 
 
 There is no known treatment of the slightest avail. 
 
 SUN-STROKE-COUP LE SOLIEL. 
 
 This disease consists in sudden prostration and stupid- 
 ity, caused by the action of the sun's rays and excessive 
 heat. The prognosis is very unfavorable, except in a mild 
 case. Remove the horse into a cool shady place, take off 
 the harness and give carbonate of ammonia one drachm, 
 tincture of ginger four drachms, and a quart of ale, as a 
 
66 DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. 
 
 drench, to act as a powerful stimulant to excite the action 
 of the whole nervous and vascular system ; keep the head 
 wet with ice-water, by placing a sponge full of the liquid 
 between the ears. The temperatm-e of the body should be 
 carefully watched, and everything possible should be done 
 for the comfort of the patient. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 Diseases of the Nose and Throat, 
 
 Bleeding at the Nose.— Nasal Gleet.— Catakrh. — Epidemic Catarrh 
 
 Sore Throat, or Laryngitis.— Codoh Eearing High Blowing and 
 
 Wheezing. — Bronchocele. 
 
 BLEEDING AT THE NOSE (EPISTAXIS). 
 
 The causes of bleeding at the nose, or epistaxis, are two- 
 fold, namely : the rupture of blood vessels in the mem- 
 brane of the nose, or hemorrhage from the lungs. The or- 
 ganization of the membrane of the nose is very favorable 
 to it, as the blood vessels are but slightly supported. It 
 generally flows drop by drop perfectly fluid from but one 
 nostril. Its exciting causes are anything that will induce 
 local congestions, as running, coughing, blowing the nose, 
 etc., especially in fat over-fed horses. A common case of 
 epistaxis requires but little treatment. Astringent washes 
 of alum, sulphate of zinc, tannin, or an infusion of matico 
 leaves may be syringed up the nostril. If it should recur 
 give a light diet and a dose of physic. 
 
 Hemorrhage from the lungs may be characterized by 
 frothy blood flowing from both nostrils. The treatment 
 can seldom do more than palliate. Bleeding from the neck 
 vein, and giving sixty to seventy drops fluid extract of 
 
DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. 6t 
 
 digitalis will arrest the flow of blood, but at best the life 
 will only be prolonged for a short time. 
 
 NASAL GLEET. 
 
 This is a disease which consists in a distortion of the 
 face and an irreg'ular dischai-ge of foitid matter from one 
 nostril, caused by an ulcerated molar tooth in the upper 
 jaw, injuries to the frontal bones, or by catarrh. 
 
 In the treatment, remove the irritating cause, if any, 
 swab out the nostril with water and carbolic acid — a pint 
 of the former to four drachms of the latter. Feed green 
 food. Give a dose of physic or alterative medicine to pu- 
 rify the blood. 
 
 CATARRH. 
 
 Catarrh may occur in three varieties which, however, 
 are merely manifestations of the same disease with differ- 
 ent or severer symptoms. When it occurs as an inflam- 
 mation of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities ac- 
 companied by slight general fever, it is called catarrh, or 
 cold ; when the discharge becomes chronic and tends to 
 last long or even indefinitely, chronic catarrh, or ozena ; 
 and when it occurs us an epidemic, attacking a number of 
 horses at the same time, and which is referred to some 
 particular condition of the atmosphere, with which we are 
 utterly ignorant. It differs from indemic, the latter being 
 owing to locality, but it is obvious that should a particu- 
 lar constitution of the air exist, along with a favoring en- 
 demic condition, these combined influences may act in the 
 causation of this disease, called epidemic catarrh, catarrh- 
 al fever, influenza, distemper, morfoundering, etc. These 
 names apply to one common disease, which we will call 
 epidemic catarrh. 
 
 Catarrh, or cold, is caused in most instances by ex- 
 posure. The first thing observed is slight shivering, ac« 
 
68 DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT, 
 
 companied by a staring coat. But as the disease ad- 
 vances the membrane of the nose becomes red, dry and 
 swollen, then wet with a discharge which soon becomes 
 yellow, thick and purulent. The eyes are generally in- 
 flamed, the horse is dull and drowsy, with no appetite, ow- 
 ing partly to the impaired state of his health. The treat- 
 ment will depend upon the severity of the case. In mild 
 cases, usually, by not exposing the horse for a few days, 
 and giving every night a bran mash with five or six 
 drachms of powdered nitre in it will suffice, together with 
 drinks of slippery elm or linseed tea. In more severe 
 cases, however, where the bowels are costive, and a severe 
 cough accompanied with fever, green food and bran 
 mashes may be given until the bowels become laxative- 
 Fifteen drops tincture of aconite mixed in a little water 
 should be given thrice daily until the fever abates, when 
 it should be suspended and a tablespoonful of the follow- 
 ing may be giv0n every night to relieve the cough : take 
 of powdered gum myrrh one ounce, oil tar one ounce, 
 tincture of ipecac and squills, of each one ounce, honey 
 two ounces, alcohol one pint ; mix, and shake tlie bottle 
 well before using. Dose, one tablespoonful every night. 
 If the throat is sore a liniment of equal parts hartshorn, 
 oils spike and oi'iganum may be rubbed in night and 
 morning. 
 
 Should the discharge become chronic, foetid and puru- 
 lent from the nasal passages, injections of rhatany and 
 brorao-chloralum will be found useful. The following is 
 the ordinary plan of treatment adopted : take of bromo- 
 chloralum one-half ounce, and mix with thirteen ounces of 
 decoction of rhatanj' root ; shake well, and inject a quan- 
 tity up the nostril daily. 
 
DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. 69 
 
 EPIDEMIC CATAERH. 
 
 This disease is observed to be particularly prevalent in 
 the spring of the year or in a wet and unhealthy autumn. 
 It is not contagious, but is brought on as an epidemic by 
 the same causes being applied to nearly all subjects alike, 
 which is the particular condition of the atmosphere with 
 alterations of heat and cold moisture and dryness. The 
 symptoms are at first similar to those already described as 
 pertaining to common catarrh, but as the disease advances 
 the fever is more severe and does not abate at the custo- 
 mary period. The appearance of the horse is character- 
 istic of severe disease. The disease almost in every in- 
 stance begins with a shivering fit, pulse weak and slightly 
 accelerated ; the eyes and membrane of the nose are red- 
 der than usual, and sometimes his glands, submaxillary 
 and parotid, are tumefied ; there is no appetite, and the 
 belly is tucked up. On the second or third day excessive 
 weakness comes on, the cough becomes more painful, and 
 there is generally a heaving of the flanks. The treatment 
 may in most cases be cut very short. As soon as the 
 shivering is observed, give one ounce sweet spirits of ni- 
 tre, and clothe him warmly with hood and blankets, hand- 
 rub and bandage his limbs, and it is more than probable 
 that the disease will be cut short. But should the disease 
 have gone on unobserved, to the appearance of the sj-mp- 
 toms detailed, the treatment then should be conducted on 
 the principle of husbanding the strength. Bleeding and 
 physicking here means murder. Diminish the vital action, 
 by giving fifteen drops tincture of aconite in a little wa- 
 ter three times daily, and if the throat is sore, blister as 
 recommended for common catarrh. Should the disease 
 put on the typhoid type or run on to bronchitis or inflam- 
 mation of the kings, the case must be treated according lo 
 the directions hereafter laid down for those diseases. 
 
10 DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. 
 
 SORE THEOAT, OR LARYNGITIS. 
 
 Sore thi'oat (as we have already shown,) may originate 
 from other causes, however, laryngitis is by far the most 
 common disease which provokes it. Laryngitis is a dis- 
 ease which consists in an inflammation of the larynx, 
 caused by exposure, the breathing of noxious vapors, and 
 the cruelty of the bearing-rein. When it is present the 
 symptoms are short and quick breathing, attended by a 
 gurgling noise, which may be heard at a little distance 
 from the horse, or by placing the ear against the trachea ; 
 want of appetite, accompanied by an inability to swallow. 
 In the act of drinking, the greatest part of the water re- 
 turns by the nostrils, and what does enter the gullet is 
 forced down by a series of audible gulps. The horse ex- 
 hibits great pain. When the larynx is pressed upon, vio- 
 lent paroxyms of coughing becomes frequent, and the ani- 
 mal at times is almost suffocated. The neck is stiff, and 
 as the inflammation inci-eases, considerable swelling of the 
 throat ensues. The pulse is quick and throbbing, and the 
 membrane of the nose is of a scarlet hue. 
 
 In the treatment, the pulse requires our first attention. 
 The pulsations should be reduced to the standard 35 to 40 
 beats a minute, by a dose of tincture of aconite, fifteen 
 drops in a little water, which should be repeated every 
 fifteen minutes until vital action is diminished. After 
 this, prepare the following drench : chlorate of potash two 
 drachms, water one gill ; mix, and give three times daily ; 
 blister the throat as recommended for common catarrh, 
 and clothe him with hood and blanket. Always keep 
 within his reach a pail of griiel and a drink of slippery 
 elm or linseed tea. In severe cases, where the animal is 
 almost suffocated, he should be steamed as described by 
 Mayhew, four or five times a day, which may be done in 
 the following manner : " procui-e a large bag and put into 
 it a pail of saw-dust, over which pour one ounce spirits 
 
DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. 71 
 
 turpentine ; fasten the bag to the horse's head, then pour 
 boiling water upon the saw-dust, through an opening at 
 the side of the bag ; renew the boiling water every twenty- 
 minutes, and retain the bag iipon the head an hour each 
 time." 
 
 COUGH. 
 
 Cough consists in an effort to disgorge morbid secretions 
 which are thrown out by the glands of the mouth and 
 throat, and sometimes by the lungs ; also to force secre- 
 tions from the glands necessary to the comfort of the mu- 
 cous membranes. Every disease that affects the respira- 
 tory organs, whether the lai-ynx, trachea, bronchi, lungs or 
 pleura, will give rise to a cough ; and if the disease be- 
 comes chronic so will the cough. Also, indigestion and 
 the irritation caused by worms are apt to cause more or 
 less coughing, by sympathetically affecting the lungs and 
 throat. The only plan of treatment likely to be successful 
 is to ascertain the cause of irritation and remove it. Yet 
 cough sometimes remains after an acute attack of disease 
 has been thoroughly subdued. 
 
 Cough attends more frequently as a symptom than as a 
 disease ; however, the hot and contaminated atmosphere of 
 the stables, coarse and dusty hay and irregular work will 
 give rise to cough, as a distinct affection of the larynx. 
 For the cure of chronic cough, keep the horse in a stable 
 where the air is pure and entirely free from the noxious 
 vapors of ammonia ; feed scalded oats or bran mashes, 
 clean bright hay, and wet the same, and give linseed or 
 slippery elm tea for drink. Clothe comfortable, and give 
 half a pint of the following, as a drench : spirits turpen- 
 tine two ounces, mucilage slippery elm six ounces, gum 
 ammoniacum half an ounce, balsam tolu one diachm, lico- 
 rice one drachm, tincture opium three ounces, water two 
 quarts. Should no improvement result, some of the other 
 
72 DISEASES OF THE NOSE AND THROAT. 
 
 expectorants laid down in the Pharmacopoeia may be sub- 
 stituted. 
 
 EOAEING. 
 
 Roaring in all its varieties may be caused by the abuse 
 of the bearing-rein. The horse checked up tight, has a 
 continued pressure upon the larynx ; or chronic cough 
 may continue till the membrane covering the larynx be- 
 comes thickened and sensitive ; then cough and roaring;^ 
 are companions through life. 
 
 There is no treatment of the slightest avail. Mr. Reeve ' 
 discovered a way to prevent the noise generally made by 
 roarers, which consists in passing a strap around the nose 
 of the horse just over the region of the false nostrils, with 
 pads upon the inner surface to press upon said false nos- 
 trils and diminish the channel of the true ones. This 
 principle, according to Reeve's idea, " is to modify the at- 
 mospheric supply to the lungs, that during exercise the 
 volume of air, when it arrives at the glottis, should not 
 exceed that which passed through its opening, when the 
 horse was tranquil, and which (from the fact of the sound 
 being absent,) does not at that time produce roaring." 
 
 High-blowing and wheezing are perfectly liealthy and 
 natural habits, which admit of no remedy. 
 
 BEONCHOCELE. 
 
 This disease signifies an hypertrophy, or morbid enlarge- 
 ment of the thyroid gland. This body resides upon the 
 larynx, immediately under the jaw. It is a projecting tu- 
 mor, occasionally as large as a 1 en's egg, in the situation 
 and of the shape of the thyroid gland. 
 
 Bronchocele is what is termed an endemic disease, that 
 is, one extremely prevalent in certain localities, amongst 
 which may be mentioned the chalky parts of England and 
 the mountainous mining districts of the United States, 
 
DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. T3 
 
 especially in the ueighborhoocl of the Lake Superior iron 
 mines. The drinking of water impregnated with calcare- 
 ous particles is perhaps the most probable cause that can 
 be assigned. It rarely causes any inconvenience, except 
 occasionally, difficulty of breathing, especially when the 
 horse is drove with a tight bearing-rein. It however, gen- 
 erally yields to treatment without the animal having any 
 i^ extraordinary care or attention. Let the following drink 
 ' be given every night : iodide of ammonia ten grains, 
 ,- chloroform one drachm, camphor water eight ounces. At 
 the time stated for giving the drink rub into the enlarge- 
 ment thoroughly a portion of the annexed ointment : io- 
 dide of ammonia four drachms, glycerine four drachms, 
 lard thi-ee drachms. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Diseases of the Chest and its Contents. 
 
 Bronchitis, or Inflammation of the Air Passages.— Pneumonia, or 
 
 Inilammation of the Lungs — Pleurisy. — Hydrothorix Heaves. — 
 
 Spasms of the Diaphragm. — Diseases of the Heart. 
 
 ■BEONCHITIS, OE INFLAMMATION OF THE AIR 
 PASSAGES. 
 
 Bronchitis is an inflamra:ition of the lining membrane 
 of the bronchial tubes, and may be caused by whatever 
 obstructs the perspiration — generally the legitimate fruits 
 of the master's cruelty. He drives far and fast till the 
 horse's sides are bedewed with perspiration. He stops 
 at the front of some pleasant mansion, and remains for 
 an uncertain period under the roof, making himself com- 
 fortable beside the blazing fire, or enjoying a social glass 
 4 
 
14 DISEASES OF THE CHEsT AND ITS CONTENTS. 
 
 with his friends. During that time the Iiorse stands out- 
 side, shivering and freezing in the mud or pelted by the 
 storm. Mayhew remarks : " Let the horse be rendered 
 comfortable, and the man be stationed outside. The re- 
 sult would be the same ; the man would in that case 
 possibly suffer from bronchitis. Does intelligence require 
 a more startling evidence of the link which binds master 
 and servant while sojourners upon this earth ?" 
 
 As a consequence of that treatment, a cold, perhaps, was 
 first observed ; next inflammation of the larynx. But as 
 the inflammation extends downward from the larynx 
 through the trachea, into the bronchi and air passages 
 of the lungs, it has an aptitude to involve the entire 
 contents of the thoi'ax. The membrane of the bronchial 
 is sensibly diminished by becoming filled with blood so 
 that great difBculty and an increased rapidity of breath- 
 ing is the consequence. The appetite is gone, and the 
 horse is averse to move ; he remains standing and mo- 
 tionless, from an evident dread of suffocation. There is a 
 hard dry cough, evidently sui^pressed and painful ; the 
 breathing quick and audible ; the nasal membrane of a 
 deep florid red ; the temperature of the legs and body is 
 very uneven — here cold as ice — there of a blood heat ; 
 danger cannot be mistaken. When the ear is placed to 
 the throat and chest there is heard a dry rattling sound. 
 Upon the formation of mucous, this is succeeded by gurg- 
 ling soap-bubble sounds ; this frothy mucous poured from 
 the membrane still further interferes with breathing, and 
 provokes a constant cough to get rid of it. 
 
 Treatment. — Philosophy teaches that by exposure, if cold 
 has driven the blood from the surface, heat will draw it 
 back, and thus relieve the internal engorgements, and if 
 held there sufficiently long, or until Nature is again capa- 
 ble of carrying on the circulation in her own way, a cure 
 Tvill be effected. The first thing to be done is to place the 
 
DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. 75 
 
 horse in a large loose box-stall, where there is a pure at- 
 mosphere ; then clothe him warmly with hood and blan- 
 kets ; next administer an alcohol sweat, by placing an 
 ii'on kettle on the floor under the horse ; into this pour 
 some alcohol and set it on fire ; mind the blankets hang 
 well down, so that he will have the wliole benefit of the 
 heat. Keep the alcohol burning until the patient is in a 
 profuse sweat, at the same time steep a teaspoonful of 
 cayenne pepper in two gills of alcohol, and rub the limbs 
 with it long and well, and apply woolen bandages ; main- 
 tain the perspiration produced with the burning alcohol 
 until the disease yields to the treatment, by giving every 
 three hours a pint of tea as a drench, made of equal parts 
 of pleurisy root and catnip ; or, in absence of this, give at 
 night liquor acetate of ammonia three ounces, sweet spir- 
 its of nitre one ounce. Give every half hour tincture of 
 aconite fifteen drops, tinct. belladonna one drachm, mixed in 
 a wine-glass of water. Keep the patient well covered all 
 the time and avoid drafts of cold air. If the perspiration 
 is hard to maintain, and the breathing continues difficult, 
 rub the whole surface with the alcohol and cayenne pep- 
 per, especially the region of the thoric organs. Let the 
 food consist entirely of thick gruel, and his drink tepid 
 slippery elm or linseed tea. Grass may be allowed upon 
 recovery being assured, and when hay is given, mind it is 
 thoroughly damped. Nothing more retards recovery or 
 provokes a cough after bronchitis than the inhalation of 
 dust with which hay is so often covered. 
 
 As the symptoms begin to subside the doses of medicine 
 may be lessened, and the time between doses lengthened 
 until the disease is fairly under control. This course may 
 be repeated, or modified to meet returning or changing 
 symptoms. 
 
76 DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. 
 
 PNEUMONIA, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. 
 
 As this disease affects an organ which is absolutely 
 necessary to life, it must be always attended with danger. 
 An inflammation of the lungs is sometimes a primary dis- 
 ease ; but generally, it is the consequences of other dis- 
 eases, as epidemic catarrh, bronchitis, pleurisy, etc. It 
 arises from the same causes as bronchitis or pleurisy, 
 namely, an obstructed perspiration from exposure ; or 
 from over exertion, accompanied by a consequent absence 
 of nervous energy, called congestion of the lungs. 
 
 Pneumonia generally begins with a chill, the horse 
 shivering all over ; the extremities are deathly cold ; the 
 breathing is quick and distressed ; the pulse, though op- 
 pressed, is quick, beating from 65 to 10 per minute ; 
 there is a short cough, evidently causing violent pain ; 
 the mouth and breath are very hot, and the legs are sepa- 
 rated outward to the farthest limit. On placing your ear 
 to the side, if a sucking or crackling noise is heard or like 
 a pair of bellows to work, make up your mind to a case 
 of pneumonia. No time must be lost. Remove the suf- 
 ferer to a box-stall, and bleed ; let the blood flow from a 
 large orifice till the patient is relieved, which may be 
 known by the animal raising the head and the lividity of 
 the eye denoting a sense of life. Bleed only once, and if 
 a little blood abstracted accomplishes the object in view, 
 that little is sufficient. Be guided neither by the quantity 
 drawn or by the pulse. Bleed only to attack the disease 
 and relieve the heart and lungs ; but n'jver attack the 
 horse, by bleeding him until he is ready to fall. After 
 bleeding give the same treatment as directed for bron- 
 chitis : the alcohol sweat, rubbing and bandaging the 
 legs, medicine, food, drink, etc. An expectorant in con. 
 firmed cases will be needed. Let it be the same as recom- 
 mended for catarrh : powdered gum myrrh one ounce, oil 
 
DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. It 
 
 of tar one ounce, tincture of ipecac one ounce, tincture of 
 squills one ounce, honey two ounces, alcohol one pint. 
 Mix, and give as a dose one tablespoonful three times a 
 day. 
 
 PLEURISY. 
 
 Pleurisy is an inflammation of that membrane called 
 the pleura, which covers the lungs, and which is also 
 folded upon the sides or walls of the chest. Pleurisy, like 
 the other diseases of the respiratory organs, usually begins 
 with a chill. It is attended with a sharp violent paiu in 
 the side, difficult breathing, with a quick, full and hard 
 pulse. The ear placed against the side detects a grating 
 sound, and the respiratory murmur is dull. As the dis- 
 ease advances, the pain in the side becomes so violent and 
 lancinating that pressure made on the interspaces between 
 the ribs will almost deprive the animal of consciousness. 
 
 The timid animal shrinks and tries to avoid the tor- 
 mentor ; full breathing cannot be indulged, from its in- 
 creasing the difficulty. Before the breath is half drawn 
 the flanks fly backward ; the cough also aggravates the 
 pain ; the fore foot is scarcely ever quiet ; the head is fre- 
 quently turned toward the side with a look expressing 
 anxiety and suffering. 
 
 The condition of the system clearly indicates the treat- 
 ment. The temperature of the surface and extremities is 
 much diminished, showing that the blood has gone to the 
 internal organs which are the least able to bear it. 
 
 The first indication is to relieve the pleura from the in- 
 creased flow of blood to it. For this purpose bleed but 
 once until relieved. This done, restore and maintain the 
 circulation by sweating with burning alcohol, and adopt 
 the same treatment as directed for bronchitis. Mind and 
 give the drinks of pleui'isy root and catnip. 
 
 The first marked sign of improvement during diseases 
 of the lungs is the animal lying down. Permit him to lie 
 
78 DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. 
 
 quietly, respect his repose, and be grateful your horse has 
 so far recovered from such dangerous diseases. 
 
 HYDROTHOEIX. 
 
 Hydrothorix, or water in the cavity of the chest, is one 
 of the unfavorable terminations of pleurisy. The inflam. 
 mation of the pleura has terminated in eiiusion, and serum 
 is thrown out — the means by which the serous membrane 
 relieves itself, or the inflammation may terminate in sup- 
 puration of the pleura, empyema — abscess of the chest. 
 In either case, the matter floats in the thoric cavity and 
 can only be discharged by an incision betwixt the ribs. 
 Hydrothorix may be indicated by great difficulty of breath- 
 ing, especially when the front quarters are the lowest. 
 Place the ear to the side while an assistant strikes the 
 horse a sharp slap on the opposite one ; if a dull sound is 
 heard— splashing noise, audible, with entire absence of re- 
 spiratory murmur, all is confirmed. The horse has dropsy 
 of the chest. 
 
 The treatment consists in drawing the skin forward, and 
 passing a trocar between the eighth and ninth ribs, up- 
 ward and onward until resistance ceases ; the trocar is 
 then within the cavity. Withdraw the stilet and the wa- 
 ter usually flows forth ; when the trocar is withdrawn, let 
 the skin fly back to form a valve over the wound. 
 
 HEAVES. 
 
 Heaves, broken wind, thick wind, and wheezing, are all 
 terms vaguely applied to one disease, namely, emphysema 
 of the lungs. Injuries or diseases of the larynx, trachea, 
 bronchi, or lungs, are the most frequent causes of this 
 affection. It consists in the infiltration of air into the 
 areolar texture, or dilatation and rupture of the air-cells. 
 The air is inhaled into the lungs quickly ; but in exhala- 
 tion, the lungs are too weak to expel all the air ; there- 
 
DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTKNTS. 'l'^) 
 
 fore, a quantity of unchanged air is left in the lung-s. This 
 unchanged air being carbonized, is a constant source of 
 irritation. To get rid of this the horse makes two acts of 
 exhalation. But the lungs have not power to expel it, and 
 immediately after this second act the muscles relax and 
 the flanks fall in. This confirms the case as soon as ob- 
 served. 
 
 The treatment can only mitigate the symptoms, a cure 
 is impossible. By no means can the art or science of man 
 build up the ruptured walls of the pulmonary tissue. The 
 disease may be concealed in a great measure by feeding 
 cut food, dumped hay, carx'ots, potatoes, etc., attention to 
 feeding and exercise, and by giving a dose every night of 
 the second expectorant for chronic cough laid down in the 
 Pharmacopoeia, especially when the cough is severe and 
 breathing difficult, is all undoubtedly that can be done. 
 
 SPASMS OF THE DIAPHRAGM. 
 
 The diaphragm is a muscle stretched transversely be- 
 tween the thoric and abdominal cavities, which it sepa- 
 rates from each other. When it contracts the chest is en- 
 larged, and the abdomen diminished. It is then an in- 
 spiratory muscle. It is also an expiratory muscle by 
 diminishing the capacity of the chest. When this muscle 
 is overstrained by a severe drive, it acts spasmodically in 
 drawing in the air, which places the horse at once in dan- 
 ger of suffocation. It may be characterized by the inter- 
 nal organ giving a sudden flap. There is no cure for 
 this malady. Relief may be aiforded by giving the.fol- 
 ing drench : Take of c'nloroform and tincture of opium, 
 of each one ounce. Mix in one gill of water, and give 
 every three hours until relieved, and afterwards use the 
 horse affected with it only at slow work. 
 
80 DISEASES OF THE CHEST AND ITS CONTENTS. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE HEART. 
 
 The diseases of the heart which the horse is subject to 
 are characterized by the following names : pericarditis, 
 dropsy of the heart, heart clot, and hypertrophy. The 
 causes of heart disease are unknown. Yet pericarditis 
 probably arises from constitutional causes, as without ap- 
 propriate blood material no inflammation can be perpetu- 
 ated. 
 
 Pericarditis consists in an inflammation of the pericar- 
 dium, which is a membranous sac which envelops the 
 heart and the arterial and venous trunks that pass from 
 or into it. 
 
 The symptoms which point out that the pericardium is 
 the seat of disease, are the following : The pulse is jar- 
 ring and jerking ; the breathing is by catches ; the skin 
 is often bathed with sweat, as in acute rheumatism, which 
 is often found in connection with it, forming one of the 
 most dangerous occurrences ; the action of the heart is 
 evident to the eye, and pain will be occasioned by pres- 
 sure over the region of the heart ; on ausculation, the 
 movements are found jerking and tumultuous, and a sound 
 of a sawing or rasping character will be heard. As the 
 local symptoms resemble those of pneumonia, adopt no 
 treatment until the case is confirmed, when bleed freely, 
 and follow with a drench of chloroform and tincture of 
 opium, one ounce of each, mixed in one-half pint water. 
 All the means required in the most violent internal inflam- 
 mations maybe used. This is generally an incurable dis- 
 ease ; therefore a sudden and unexpected death is usually 
 the issue. 
 
 Dropsy of the heart depends on diseases of that organ. 
 
 Heart clot consists in collections of blood in the heart. 
 The presence of this disorder may be suspected during the 
 course of pericarditis, and especially at the close of diseases 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 81 
 
 of the lungs, the heart's action becomes suddenly tumult- 
 uous, accompanied with a muimuiing sound. 
 
 Hypertrophy, or fatty degeneration o.f the heart, is often 
 met with among well conditioned animals. The pulse is 
 strong, full and jarruig ; and, on the least excitement, the 
 shock of the heart's action will shake the whole body. 
 
 There is no remedy of the slightest avail. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Diseases of the Stomach and Bowels. 
 
 Dyspepsia.— Bo TS.—WouMs.— Inflammation op tue Bowels. — Spasmodic 
 Colic— Flatolent Colic— Dysentery. — Prolapsis of the Rectum. — 
 Paralysis of the Sphineter Muscle. — Dropsy of tue Abdomen. 
 
 DYSPEPSIA. 
 
 Dyspepsia, or cribbing, is a very common disease among 
 horses which have been long inhabitants of the stable, 
 especially when they are constantly fed on the same arti- 
 cles. The horse is surrounded by ignorance and neglect 
 on every side. Man requires a change of diet, yet he ex- 
 pects the horse, exposed to the noxious vapors of a con- 
 fined stable, to go on eating hay and oats for years to- 
 gether, without injury to health. The perpetual feeding 
 on the same articles disarrange the digestion and cause 
 the generation of acid gasses in the stomach. When we 
 observ.e the human dyspeptic subject expelling wind, and 
 at the same time consider the horse's inability to vomit, 
 we cannot, therefore, wonder, to see the horse resort to 
 some such act as cribbing or the licking of cold sub- 
 stances to relieve his stomach of the burning acid gasses. 
 Cribbing consists in placing the upper incisor teeth 
 
 against any solid substance, and from this fixed point the 
 4* 
 
82 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 
 
 animal strains backward, curbs and excites the muscles of 
 the neck, and a portion of wind, accompanied by a grunt, 
 is forced up. 
 
 Dyspepsia, like many otlier diseases is more easily ac- 
 quired than cured. To relieve cribbing, first render the 
 air of the stable pure. Give a daily allowance of salt, and 
 the alterative laid down in the PharmacopcBia for debility 
 of stomach, with a moderate change of food, may be tried 
 with great probability of success. 
 
 BOTS. 
 
 According to the investigation of Bracy Clark, " the two 
 principal kinds of fly of the same species whence the bot 
 is derived are the aistrus equi and a^strus hamorrhoidalis. 
 
 " The astrus equi, or stomach bot, deposits her eggs on 
 the hair of the horse inside of the knee and next to this on 
 the side and back part of the shoulder, and less frequently 
 on the extreme end of the hairs of the mane. But it is a 
 fact worthy of attention that the fly does not place them 
 promiscuously about the body, but constantly on those 
 parts vphich are most liable to be licked with the tongue, 
 and the ova, therefore, are always scrupulously placed 
 within its reach. 
 
 " The part chosen by the sestrus hsemorrhoidalis for the 
 purpose of depositing her eggs, is the lips of the horse. 
 These flies appear sometimes to hide themselves in the 
 grass, and as the horse stoops to graze, they dart on the 
 mouth or lips, and are always observed to poise them- 
 selves during a few seconds in the air, while the egg is 
 preparing on the extended point of the abdomen. 
 
 " The eggs thus deposited, when they remain on tlic 
 hairs four or five days, become ripe, after which time the 
 slightest application of warmth and moisture is suffici<:"nt 
 to bring forth in an instant the latent larva. At this 
 time, if the tongue of the horse touches the egg, its oper- 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. »d 
 
 culum is thrown open, and a small active worm is pro- 
 duced, which readily adheres to the moist surface of the 
 tongue, and is from thence conveyed with the food to the 
 stomach. 
 
 " At its first hatching, it is, as we have observed, a 
 small active worm, long in proportion to its thickness, 
 but as its growth advances, it becomes proportionably 
 thicker and broader, and beset with bristles. 
 
 " They are very frequent in horses that have been 
 at grass, and are in general, found adhering to the 
 white insensible tissue, or coat of the stomach. 
 
 " They usually hang in dense clusters to this white cu- 
 ticular lining of the stomach, and maintain their hold 
 by means of two dark brown hooks, between which a 
 longitudinal slit, or fissure, is seen, which is the mouth 
 of the larva. When removed from the stomach by the 
 finger, by a sudden jerk, so as not to injure them, they 
 will, if fresh and healthy, attach themselves to any 
 loose membrane, and even to the skin of the hand. For 
 this purpose, they sheath, or draw back the hooks al- 
 most entirely within the skin, till the two points come 
 close to each other ; they then present them to the 
 membrane, and, keeping them parallel till it is pierced 
 through, they expand them in a lateral direction, and 
 afterwards, by bringing the points downward towards 
 themselves, they include a sufficient piece of the mem- 
 brane to remain firmly fixed for any length of time as at 
 anchor, without requiring any further exertion, 
 
 " These bots, as is also the case with two or three other 
 species, pass the autumn, winter and spring months iu the 
 stomach, and arrive about the commencement or middle 
 of the summer at their full growth, requiring a twelve- 
 month fully to complete their structure. " 
 
 For the above the writer is indebted to the talented 
 essay, written by Bracy Clark, on "Bots in the Horse and 
 
84 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 
 
 other Animals," and for ample particulars, we will refer 
 the reader to that work. 
 
 According to the above authority, bots once within the 
 stomach must remain there till the following year, when 
 being matured, their hold of the membrane of the stomach 
 will relax, and they are expelled from the System in the 
 form of a chrysalis. Bots are known to be injurious. 
 Healthy animals are seldom troubled with parasites. 
 When the bots are ejected from the system their sticking 
 more or less within the opening of the anus and adhering 
 to its soft lining produces considerable irritation and un- 
 easiness, and, as the bot is an unnatural inhabitant of the 
 stomach, it must produce considerable uneasiness in the 
 stomach and bowels. 
 
 In the sheep, as soon as the larvae are hatched from the 
 eggs they crawl up through the nose to the sinus of the 
 frontal, or of the maxillary bone into the cells of the eth- 
 moid bone, or into the cavities of the uvula, and here they 
 frequently accumulate in such numbers that they prove 
 fatal. To cure the malady iu the sheep the parasite may 
 be removed by introducing snuff or lime into the nose to 
 produce violent sneezing. 
 
 We have, however, no evidence that the bot ever de- 
 stroys the horse. The evident dread of the horse at the 
 approach of the fly, or the stomach being found after death 
 riddled with the parasite, is no proof that they killed him. 
 At that season of the year the horse is continually teased 
 with flies, till, at length, every muscle of the skin appears 
 to act involuntarily and with regard to the perforated 
 stomach. God, in his infinite wisdom, created every in- 
 sect with a natural instinct ; and as soon as the horse 
 dies, the bot, with the teaching of that natural instinct cats 
 through, in order to leave a dead carcass, and seek es- 
 cape from certain death. He finds that his old habitation 
 is no longer a safe one, and hence his desperate endeavors 
 to get away. 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 85 
 
 The bot once within the stomach of the horse remains 
 secure in spite of all the art or medication of man, until 
 matured. Past experience proves it more easy to kill the 
 horse than to make the bot let go his hold, and in no case 
 does he let go his hold before matured, unless the animal 
 dies. And in every case that the horse is doctored for 
 bots, he is, in our opinion, suffering from some other dis- 
 ease. Therefore the treatment we recommend for bots is 
 a severe letting alone, and the milk and molasses, the 
 sage tea and fresh meat can be thrown to the pigs. 
 
 WOEMS. 
 
 The worms which afflict the horse may be divided into 
 four varieties, namely : the taenia, or tape-worm, lumbrici, 
 ascarides and stronguli. 
 
 The continued intestinal irritation which worms cause, 
 when really present, may provoke several disorders. How- 
 ever, the only certain proof of their existence is visible 
 evidence when they are expelled from the system in the 
 excrement. 
 
 The tasnia, or tape-worm, preys chiefly upon the debili- 
 tated, starved colt, and is mostly perpetuated, according 
 to the authority of Mayhew, " by the farmer's prejudice, 
 which procures foals from dams that are done up for 
 work, which starves the mother till her produce runs by 
 her side, and which attempts to rear young stock upon the 
 sour grass of a public common." The symptoms of tape- 
 worm, as described by the above-named talented gentle, 
 man, are as follows : "The developments are checked. 
 The foal grows up with a large 'head, low crest, tumefied 
 abdomen, and long legs. If it be a male it cannot be op- 
 erated upon before the fourth year. Even then it is cast 
 only because there is no hope of future improvement. The 
 appetite during the long time of rearing is more than 
 good. The ribs, nevertheless are not covered with flesli ; 
 
86 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AxN'D BOWKl.S. 
 
 the dung is not well comminuted, it is friable and some- 
 times partially coated with slime ; the anus projects ; oc- 
 casionally it is soiled by adherent strips of tenacious mu- 
 cous, almost like to membrane ; the coat is unhealthy ; the 
 breath foetid ; the animal may rub its nose violently 
 against a wall or remain straining it upward for a consid- 
 erable time ; the eye becomes unnaturally bright ; the 
 colt begins to pick and bite its body, often pulling oiT hair 
 by the mouthful." When the case is clearly made out the 
 plan of treatment is as follows : give the first anthelmintic 
 prescription laid down in the Pharmacopoeia at night, and 
 follow by a purge next morning, or take fifty drops of the 
 oil of the male fern, mix with molasses and linseed meal 
 enough to form a ball, give at night, and follow by a 
 purge next morning, and allow nothing but slippery elm 
 tea for drink. Either of the above prescriptions can be 
 repeated within a week, if necessai-y. 
 
 The lumbrici is a species resembling the common earth 
 worm in all respects but color, which is a pinkish white. 
 This worm inhabits the small intestines, and afflicts the weak- 
 ly, be they old or young. The symptoms are a rough, staring 
 coat, a craving appetite, and the passage of mucous with 
 the excrement. To expel them, give the same treatment 
 as recommended for tape-worm. 
 
 The ascarides and stronguli, the smaller species of in- 
 testinal worms, chiefly inhabit the rectum, but are occa- 
 sionally found in the colon and CfBCum. The term pin- 
 worm and thread worm is more commonly applied to this 
 species. The only symptom by which their presence can 
 be made out is the horse rubbing his tail, and visible evi- 
 dence. As most medicines are rendered inoperative be- 
 fore they reach the large intestines, the best remedies for 
 these worms is by the injecting every morning, for a week 
 or more, a quart of slippery elm tea containing two 
 drachms spirits turpentine. 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 87 
 
 INFLAMMATION OP THE EOWELS-ENTEEITIS. 
 
 Inflammation of the bowels is a vei-y distinct disease 
 from the colic, with which it is, however, very apt to be 
 confounded, to the destruction of many horses. The 
 causes are various, and, unfortunately, are in a great 
 measure, purely conjectural, such as a sudden translation 
 of cold after great heat, or from the removal of a horse 
 from grass at once into heated stables, clothing and dry 
 food ; neglected colic or long continued costiveness, ex- 
 cessive driving, and the Immediate drinking of cold 
 water, etc. These, however, are but the exciting causes. 
 The principal thing, therefore, is the constitutional or pre- 
 disposing cause, where the animal inclines towards a par- 
 ticular disease, and any irritation may provoke it. These 
 causes we are at present too ignorant to recognize, yet we 
 know that without appropriate blood material no inflam- 
 mation can be perpetuated. 
 
 Enteritis may afiect both the peritoneal and the mucous 
 coat of the intestines ; and in violent cases all the coats 
 maybe implicated. The structure of the mucous and peri- 
 toneal coats is different ; so are their functions in health 
 and in diseases. The inflammation of the serous coat re- 
 sembles that of the cellular membrane : the inflammation of 
 the mucous coat that of the skin. Therefore, the former 
 is usually of a more active character. Inflammation of 
 the mucous coat is generally attended with diarrhoea, and 
 its pathology is identical with that of dysentery. Inflam- 
 mation of the peritoneal coat is, on the other hand, gener- 
 ally attended with costiveness. 
 
 The essential symptoms of enteritis are violent abdomi- 
 nal pain, increased on pressure, with inflammatory fever ; 
 the pulse is quick, hard and wiry before the disease is 
 fully established. The disease is usually ushered in by 
 repeated shivering fits ; the horse is dull and stupid, and 
 
88 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 
 
 may be frequently observed to turn his nose forcibly up- 
 ward. As the disease advances, the symptoms become 
 more violent ; the shivering subsides, and the horse at 
 once suffers a mighty anguish, which he makes manifest 
 by plunging, rolling and pawing, as he does in colic. In 
 colic, the horse has violent fits of pain, but they remit, and 
 be has intervals of rest. The pain in enteritis is more 
 uniform, and one continued struggle. In colic the pulse is ( 
 disturbed : in enteritis, it is quick and hard. In colic, 
 pressure on the abdomen seems to relieve the pain : in 
 enteritis it increases it ; in colic there are no marks of in- 
 flammation, as red eyelids, inflamed nasal membrane, etc., , 
 but in enteritis they are always present. In enteritis the 
 agony accompanies all the movements of the diaphragm, 
 thus the labor of respiration is thrown upon the walls of 
 the thorix, the lungs can only partially dilate, which ren- 
 ders the breathing short and quick, and the mouth is al- 
 ways hot and dry, while in colic the breathing is deep and 
 full, and only excited by the exertion. 
 
 By attending to these distinguishing symptoms, enter- 
 itis may be easily characterized from colic. In the treat- 
 ment bleed copiously from a large orifice, and give the" 
 following drench : tincture of aconite fifteen drops, 
 tincture of opium one ounce, chloroform one ounce, water 
 half a pint. This drink should be administered every half 
 hour if the pain, pulse and general appearance demand it. 
 Should the symptoms denote a lingering pain in the bow- 
 els after the third drink is given, the belly should be fo^ 
 mented with hot water, the bowels back racked, and the 
 following drench should be given : castor oil one pint, 
 tincture of opium one ounce. This drench should be re- 
 peated every six hours till it operates, vvhich should be 
 hastened by injections of epsom salts two ounces, warm 
 soap suds one quart. This course may be repeated or 
 modified to meet returning or changing symptoms. The 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 89 
 
 food should be confined to thin gruel. Always keep a 
 pail of gruel and one of slippery elm tea within his reach. 
 No bran mashes or hay should be permitted to irritate the 
 inflamed surfaces until the severity of the attack has 
 abated. 
 
 COLIC. 
 
 Colic signifies an affection or pain in the colon. But it 
 is employed in a more extensive signification. It includes 
 every acute pain of the abdomen, aggravated at intervals. 
 Therefore the varieties of colic depend on the cause. 
 Thus we have spasmodic and flatulent colic 
 
 Spasmodic colic consists in a partial contraction of the 
 muscular coat of the intestines, similar in its features to 
 cramp in tlie muscles of the leg. It is usually very sud- 
 den in its attack, and always appears prepared for mis- 
 chief, frequently destroying life quickly either by its irri- 
 tation or by its degenerating into incurable enteritis. The 
 part of the intestines it attacks becomes much diminished 
 by the presence of the spasmodic contraction, but presently 
 it vanishes, and an interval of ease is afforded the sufferer. 
 Soon, however, it reappears on some other portion of the 
 bowels, and thus, as Mayhew remarks, colic " dodges 
 about, its attacks becoming more numerous and the inter- 
 missions shorter as the period of its commencement grows 
 more distant." 
 
 The causes of spasmodic colic are not always apparent. 
 Any cause may provoke it. Cold in its various forms is a 
 parent of colic ; but under the form of cold water given 
 when a horse is hot at the tail end of a hard drive, it is 
 most common. 
 
 The symptoms of colic are as follows : acute pain, fol- 
 lowed by intervals of ease ; a few minutes elapse, and the 
 anguish is renewed. During the spasm the horse is paw- 
 ing, and the nose points to the flank ; he switches his tail, 
 
90 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 
 
 and the hind foot is lifted to strike the belly ; he lies down 
 and rolls upon his back, but no sooner done than he is 
 upon his feet ; all his movements are quick ; in no posi- 
 tion can he find relief; he sweats profusely about the 
 head, neck and shoulders ; the spasm ceases, and he ap- 
 pears apparently well, but it is soon renewed, add he goes 
 through the same performance. 
 
 In the treatment, as soon as a case is clearly made out, 
 mix and give the following drench : chloroform one ounce, 
 tincture of opium one ounce, water one-half pint ; mix, 
 and give every half hour until relief is afforded. 
 
 In absence of the above give one pint strong salt and 
 water containing one ounce of ginger, every half hour. If 
 the disease should prove obstinate, foment the belly with 
 hot water, back-rake, and inject large quantities of warm 
 water into the bowels. 
 
 In flatulent colic the abdomen is enormously distended. 
 It may be caused by the horse gorging upon green moist 
 food ; but in the majority of cases, it springs from disor- 
 dered digestion ; the stomach has lost its tone. The food 
 ferments ; carbonic acid or sulphurated hydrogen gas is 
 generated, and flatulent colic is the result. 
 
 During this fermentation in the stomach, the gas is gen- 
 erated sometimes with such rapidity, that stricture of the 
 pyloric orifice takes place. Meanwhile the gas continues 
 to generate and greatly rarify from the heat of the organ, 
 and unless relief is afforded, there is imminent danger of 
 rupture of the stomach, which is certain death. However, 
 the gas generated in the stomach usually passes through 
 the pyloris and small intestines into tlie caecum and colon, 
 and these large intestines sometimes becomes so suddenly 
 distended that stricture of the rectum takes place ; or the 
 fermentation of the contents of the caecum and colon may 
 produce the same results. It is evident that if such a 
 stricture did not occur somewhere there could be no flatu- 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 91 
 
 lent colic, since all the gas generated would very readily 
 escape in the natural way. These gases distend the colon, 
 and, as Stewart remai-ks, " when one part of the tube is 
 drawn out the other part draws in ; or, in other words, 
 when the colon is greatly distended there is a correspond- 
 ing contraction of the rectum, and there the hard masses 
 of excrement becomes so firmly impacted that it often re- 
 quires a considerable manual exertion to dislodge them." 
 
 In flatulent colic, the horse is very uneasy ; the breath- 
 ing is laborious and loud ; he is frequently pawing, and rests 
 first on one leg, then on the other ; great swelling of the 
 belly, accompanied with a rumbling sound in the bowels. 
 
 To allay the pain and neutralize the gases, give the chloro- 
 form and opium drench every half hour until relief is af- 
 forded. 
 
 To relieve the bowels, back-rake ; remove the hard 
 masses of excrement from the rectum with the hand, as to 
 admit of a passage. When this point is reached the dan- 
 ger is passed. 
 
 DYSENTERY. 
 
 Dysentery consists in an inflammation of the mucous 
 membrane of the intestines. The seat of disease is generally 
 in the colon and rectum. The chief symptoms of which are 
 fever, more or less inflammatory, with frequent mucous or 
 bloody evacuations, with violent pain in the bowels. The 
 mucous of the intestines separates from them in large 
 quantities, and comes away with the excrement surround- 
 ing it ; or it sometimes appears in stringy evacuations 
 like fat floating in water, and was termed by our ances- 
 tors molten gi-ease, — they mistaking the morbid secretions 
 from the bowels for the fat of the body melted down and 
 passing off thus. Dysentery is very different from diar- 
 rhea, which is a mere increase of the peristalic motion of 
 the bowels, with an increase of their watery secretions. 
 
92 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 
 
 Certain lank-sided, small carcassed animals will scour 
 during work or upon the smallest change of food ; but 
 such peculiarities, however, mostly check themselves ; and 
 thus we will banish diarrhea from the list of diseases to 
 which the horse is liable. 
 
 Dysenteiy in the horse is not contagious nor epidemic, 
 but is peculiarly confined to a diseased increase in the 
 mucous secretions, always appearing in a sporadic form. 
 The causes are impure air, imperfect nourishment, cold, 
 overdriving, acrid substances within the intestines, Iarge| 
 doses of aloes or croton oil, or the injudicious use of min- 
 eral poisons, such as corrosive sublimate, arsenic, tartar 
 emetic, etc., is a common parent. 
 
 In the treatment the indications are : 1. To allay the( 
 pain. 2. Husband the strength. 3. By some measure I 
 supply the mucous lost to the bowels. 
 
 1. To allay the pain, mix and give the following! 
 drench every half hour until the pain is subdued : chloro-i 
 form one ounce, tincture of opium one ounce, tincture of' 
 catechu one ounce, slippery elm tea one pint. 
 
 2. To husband the strength, the food should be of the 
 best ; boiled linseed, boiled roots, boiled oats, barley, etc. 
 No hay. Also, a good bed, and keep the body clothed. 
 
 3. To supply the mucous lost to the bowels, give for: 
 drink linseed or slippery elm tea, and throw up into the 
 bowels copious injections of the same. 
 
 PROLAPSUS OF THE HECTUM. 
 
 This is an affection most common in the old weak 
 horse. It consists in the protrusion of the lower por- 
 tion of the rectum through the anus, and may depend 
 on a natural laxity of the structure or be caused by 
 violent straining in consequence of costiveness When- 
 ever the protrusion occurs, the parts should be carefully ' 
 washed, and then be replaced by pressure with the hand. 
 
DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 93 
 
 Oil the hand and arm, and push the hand up into the anus, 
 and it will carry the protruded part with it. Give nour- 
 ishing food, and that of such a kind as to regulate the 
 bowels and prevent costiveness, 
 
 PARALYSIS OF THE SPHINCTER MUSCLE. 
 
 This disease may be the result of previous inflammation, 
 and although not painful, it is very annoying. The symp- 
 toms exhibited are as follows : the bowels seldom if ever 
 act of themselves ; purgatives bring the excrement to the 
 rectum, but it has not contractile power enough to expel 
 them, and there they would remain if their exit were not 
 obtained by an injection or by back-raking ; the horse is 
 all the while uneasy, often stands with one hind foot ad- 
 vanced, and looking around to the seat of disease ; he is 
 unable to move the tail, and the urine is voided in small 
 quantities. 
 
 The plan of treatment should be as follows : Take 
 tincture prickly ash berries four ounces, tincture nux 
 vomica three drachms. Mix, and inject one tablespoouful 
 into the rectum three times a day. 
 
 DROPSY OF THE ABDOMEN-ASCITES. 
 
 Ascites consists in a collection of serous fluid in. the 
 abdomen. Ascites proper is dropsy of the peritoneum, the 
 serous membrane lining the abdomen and enveloping its 
 organs. It is rarely a primary disease ; but is a.lways 
 dangerous, and but little susceptible of cure. It is caused 
 jmost generally by obstructed circulation in some of the 
 .viscera, or 'to excitement of the vessels of the abdominal 
 organs. Dropsy, according to Dunglison, may be active 
 or passive. " The former consists in an increased action 
 of the exhalants so that those vessels pour out much more 
 fluid than is absorbed. The latter arises from a state of 
 
94 DISEASES OF THE STOMACH AND BOWELS. 
 
 atomy of the absorbent vessels, which allow of an accumu- 
 lation of fluid." 
 
 The symptoms which characterize dropsy are, an in- 
 creased size of the abdomen ; the animal appears dull and 
 stupid ; remains in one position for a long time ; fever 
 more or less inflammatory ; thirst ; loss of appetite ; 
 weakness ; fluctuation ; constipation, and hide-bound. 
 
 In the treatment, the various secretions must be acted 
 upon, so that the demand being increased, the supply will 
 have to be increased accordingly, and in this manner some 
 of the collected fluids may be taken up by the absorbents. 
 If the dropsy be very active, bleed. Give a dose of physic, 
 and as soon as that is inoperative, give daily one ounce 
 fluid extract of the trailing arbutus, mixed in one-half pint 
 water ; or, instead, give one-half teaspoonful fluid extract 
 of Indian hemp or the same quantity of fluid extract blue 
 flag. These drugs, from their sudorific, diophoretic, diui-- 
 etic, and alterative properties, are regarded as very valu- 
 able in dropsy. 
 
 Anasarca, or moor-ill, is another variety of dropsy to 
 which horse flesh is liable. It occurs chiefly among horses 
 turned out in marshes in cold rainy weather, and may be 
 characterized by the areolar texture of the whole body be- 
 coming more or less filled with fluid ; a general swelling 
 of the whole body, increasing by gravitation in the legs 
 during the standing postiu-e. The disease, happily, is now 
 a very rare one, but it occasionally appears under the cir- 
 cumstances above described. 
 
 The treatment must bo by acting on the various secre- 
 tions, as described in the last section. 
 
CHAPTEE XII. 
 
 The Diseases op the Urinary Organs and Organs of 
 Generation — both Male and Female. 
 
 Nepheitis, or Inflammation of the Kidneys. — Hydrophobia — Inflam- 
 mation OF THE Bladder. — Calculi. — H.«maturia, or Bloody Urine.— 
 Diabetes, or Profuse Stalling. — Albuminous Urine. — Balanitis. — 
 Prolapsis of the Uterus. 
 
 NEPHRITIS, OR INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. 
 
 This disease is generally produced by over-driving, vio- 
 lent muscular exertion in drawing heavy loads, the abuse 
 of diux-etics, such as an overdose of saltpetre or sweet nitre, 
 drugs which are considered by some horsemen as a charm 
 against every ill. These drugs are given with impunity ; 
 the kidneys when subject to their action becomes excited 
 bordering upon inflammation. The excess of secretion 
 proves the excited condition of these organs, and the ani- 
 mal in such a state is not fit for work. He needs rest 
 when under the operation of a diuretic just as much 
 as w^heu subject to a powerful dose of physic. But the 
 condition of the animal is not for a moment considered. 
 So long as the poor slave is able to toil in the employ of 
 his master the same amount of labor is demanded. But 
 truly the life and health of the horse is not at the com- 
 mand of man. And when man so yiolently transgresses 
 the laws of nature in the keeping of the animal committed 
 to his charge by the abuses above described, in combina- 
 tion with the exposure of the horse to wet and cold, the 
 feeding of poisoned food, such as mow burned hay, musty 
 oats, etc., which is alone sufficient lo engender any dis- 
 ease, it is not strange that Nature, whose laws are every- 
 where consistent, should exact the penalty of suffering if 
 
96 THE DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS AND 
 
 not of death. And surely, nephritis is a disease of too mild 
 a type to be beget by so harsh a parent. 
 
 The symptoms of nephritis are those of inflammatory 
 fever generally ; breathing quick and short, a hard pulse, 
 and decidedly quickened. The animal looks anxiously to- 
 ward the seat of pain ; shrinks when the loins are pressed, 
 and some degree of heat is felt there ; the urine scanty, 
 frequently high colored, and sometimes bloody ; constipa- 
 tion, more or less obstinate. The animal seldom lies down, 
 but stands with back arched and hind legs straddled. He 
 is unwilling to come round in his stall, and he walks with 
 a straddling and numb gait. These symptoms clearly in- 
 dicate an affection of the urinary organs. But they do not 
 distinguish inflammation of the kidneys from that of the 
 bladder ; but by attending to the state of the urine, which 
 is very high colored in the former case, and nearly cif a 
 natural color in the latter, the one may be distinguished 
 from the other. To make matters still more clear, in ne- 
 phritis, the horse shrinks when the loins are pressed, while 
 in inflammation of the bladder resistance will be provoked 
 by pressure on the abdomen between the hind legs. 
 
 In the treatment, bleeding should be resorted to at 
 once, in order to abate the inflammation. Fifteen drops of 
 the tincture of aconite, and one drachm tincture belladonna 
 mixed in a gill of water, may be given every half hour un- 
 til the fever is abated. Next take a quantity of mustard, 
 and mix in lukewarm vinegar ; rub this mixture in well 
 over the loins, and place a fresh sheep-skin over it. 
 Clothe the horse warmly, and give an alcohol sweat (as 
 recommended for pleurisy), in order to bring the blood to 
 the surface. A mild purge may be given in the form of a 
 pint of linseed oil. Assist its action by injecting linseed 
 tea every hour. The latter will also act as a fomentation 
 to the diseased organ. Allow for food scalded linseed and 
 bran mashes ; linseed or slippery elm tea for drink. If 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 91 
 
 the causes still exist, remove them at once. Give your 
 poor sliive a more merciful and humane treatment. If pro- 
 duced by giving harsh diuretic medicines, make up your 
 mind never to be caught in the like folly again ; or if pro- 
 duced by musty, moldy fodder, pause and consider whether 
 you are not losing more in horseflesh than it would cost 
 for food of the best quality. If disease follows the use 
 of such treatment, you have produced it, and if the horse 
 dies, you are the destroyer. 
 
 HYLEOPHOBIA, OR RABIES. 
 
 This is a disease, the cause of which is at present wholly 
 beyond the reach of art, and we have but one reason for 
 describing it, which is, that as the horse attacked by it is 
 most dangerous, the sooner he is destroyed the better ; 
 and for this reason every person who has charge of horses 
 should be aware of the symptoms. As far as it is known 
 at present, rabies in the horse is always the fruit of con- 
 tagion, a bite received from some stable pet, in the shape 
 of a dog or cat. 
 
 The earliest symptoms of the disease, as described by 
 Mr. Youatt, "consists in a spasmodic movement of the up- 
 per lip, particularly of the angles of the lip. Close follow- 
 ing on this or contemporaneous with it, are the depressed 
 and anxious countenance and inquiring gaze ; suddenly, 
 however, lighted up, and becoming fierce and menacing 
 from some unknown cause, or at the approach of a stranger. 
 From time to time different parts of the frame, the eyes, 
 the jaws, particular limbs, will be convulsed. The eyes 
 will occasionally wander after some imaginary object, and 
 the horse will snap again and again at that which has no 
 real existence. Then will come the irrepressible desire to 
 bite the attendants or the animals within its reach. To 
 this will succeed the demolition of the rack, the manger, 
 5 
 
*.)8 THE DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS AND 
 
 aui tliG whole furniture of the stable, accompanied by the 
 peculiar dread of water." However, Mayhew describes the 
 longing for fluids to be " sometimes morbidly increased, and 
 that the animal's likings may be morbidly changed. It 
 will occasionally devour its own excrement, and lick up 
 its emissions." But most frequently water will cause 
 spasms. 
 
 According to the authority of Youatt, "towards the close 
 of the disease there is generally paralysis, usually confined 
 to the loins and the hinder extremities, or involving those or- 
 gans which derive their nervous influence from this portion 
 of the spinal cord ; hence the distressing tenseness which is 
 occasionally seen." These symptoms prove in a great 
 measure the discovery of M. M. Rudnow, of Russia, to be 
 correct. To his investigations the public owe all their 
 knowledge of the main cause of rabies. According to 
 the above authority, "the main cause of rabies is the an- 
 atomical alteration of the kidneys through their parenchy- 
 matous inflammation. This diflers from other forms of in- 
 flammation in that the whole epithelium of the kidneys 
 is diseased at the same time, and that it easily degener- 
 ates, while the lobes of the kidneys fill at the same time 
 with a fatty substance, by which the uniformly fatal issue 
 of hydrophobia is brought about." 
 
 Supposing the cause of the disease to be thus ascertained, 
 let us hope that as little time as possible will be lost in 
 discovering a cure for it. Until then a well placed bul- 
 let is the only remedy we know which cau stay this fear- 
 ful malady. 
 
 INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER. 
 
 This disease is generally produced by the diseased 
 kidneys secreting a highly irritating urine. The 
 bladder suffers in its passage, and thus the two 
 organs are inflamed at the same time ; or it may be 
 
ORGANS OP GENERATION. 99 
 
 produced by the injudicious use of cantharides, given 
 with a view to stimulate exhausted nature, or it may 
 he absorbed from the surface of the skin, as sometimes 
 liappens in blistering. The symptoms are constant strain- 
 ing to pass the urine, which is thick, and mixed with mu- 
 cus ; quick pulse, and the animal looking around to the 
 seat of disease. Give the same treatment as recommended 
 for nephritis ; and here the injecting of warm linseed tiea 
 is peculiarly advisable. Retention of urine may be caused 
 either by inflammation of the neck of the bladder, or by 
 spasms unattended by inflammation. It is characterized 
 by constant straining to pass the urine, and the squeezing 
 out of a few drops as the bladder becomes filled. In the 
 treatment, bleed, if attended with inflammation, and if not, 
 the disease usually yields to a dose of chloroform and 
 tincture of opium ; give one ounce of each, mixed in a half 
 pint of water. 
 
 CALCULI. 
 
 Calculous concretions are not uncommon in the large in- 
 testines of horses, where they grow sometimes to an enor- 
 mous size. In the Museum of the Royal College of Surgeons, 
 London, there is one taken from the intestines of a horse, 
 which weighs no less than 17 pounds. In the intestines 
 they occasion but little inconvenience, except a displace- 
 ment occurs, when serious evils, as colic, inflammation or 
 stricture follow. Calculi in the bladder is of considerable 
 annoyance. They may proceed from the kidneys, but most 
 commonly they are formed in tlie bladder itself Some- 
 times, when of a small size, they are expelled. Most com- 
 monly they remain in the bladder. 
 
 The chief symptoms that induce a suspicion of their ex- 
 istence are a frequent desire to pass the urine ; the urine 
 passed by jerks, and a sudden stoppage to its flow. The 
 treatment may be either palliative or curative. The for- 
 mer consists in the adoption of the means employed for 
 
100 THE DISEASES OF THE URINARY ORGANS AND 
 
 subduing retention of urine. The latter can only be ef- 
 fected by removing the sione, which is a difficult and dan- 
 gerous operation. 
 
 HJEMATUREA, OR BLOODY URINE. 
 
 This disease consists in a hemorrhiige from the mucous 
 membrane of the urinary passages. Like other hemor- 
 rha<;es, it may be active or passive. It may proceed from 
 the kidneys. Sometimes a parasitic worm has been dis- 
 covered after death, in the kidneys, and was apparently 
 the cause of the mischief. At others the kidneys iiave been 
 found disorganized by cancer or melanosis ; or it may be 
 produced by the irritation of a sharp calculi in the bladder 
 or urethra. Whencesoever it proceeds, hsematuria is 
 usually ascribed to rupture of vessels not being thought 
 common in the mucous membranes. The essential symp- 
 toms are, the existence of bloody urine, evacuated of a 
 dark brown color, preceded by slight pain in the region of 
 the bladder or kidneys, unaccompanied by inflammation, 
 marking the absence of nephritis. 
 
 In the treatment, active hajmaturia may require blood- 
 letting. Take of extract of rhatany three drachms, water 
 one half pint ; mix, and give three times a day ; and, if 
 very excessive, cold injections may be thrown into the 
 rectum or into the vagina of the mare. For the chronic 
 kind give absolute rest ; the same drench as recommended 
 above, and tonics in general. 
 
 DIABETES, OR PROFUSE STALLING. 
 
 This disease is characterized by an excessive flow, and 
 often manifest alteration in the secretion of urine. We 
 are unable to fix on the seat of this distressing malady, 
 however, as a part of the urine must be formed at the ex- 
 pense of the system, the whole system of nutrition must 
 be morbidly implicated. The causes are also very ob- 
 
ORGANS OF GENERATION. 101 
 
 scure. The injudicious use of diuretics, musty and moldy 
 fodder will often provoke it. In the treatment, ascertain 
 the cause, if possible, and remove it. Make a total change 
 in the food, to green food, if possible. Green food, such as 
 grass, potatoes, carrots, etc., with astringents and tonics 
 in general, will usually effect a cure, but if the urine con- 
 tains large amounts of sugar, the urine of a sweetish 
 taste, all the remedies that have been tried have usually 
 been found insuflScient. However, in either case, the fol- 
 lowing drench may be tried with expectations of beneficial 
 results : take fluid extract bugleweed four ounces, fluid 
 extract bethroot four ounces ; mix, and give one table- 
 spoonful in a cupful of warm water three times a day. 
 
 ALBUMINOUS URINE. 
 
 This disease was first described by Dr. Bright, of Lon- 
 don, and is usually termed Bright's disease. The disease 
 consists in a granular disease of the cortical part of the 
 kidneys, or congestion of the same, characterized by a 
 straddling gait, weakness of the loins, stretching and 
 straining to pass the urine, which contains albumen, and 
 of a white, milky, or thick appearance. 
 
 In the treatment, bleed moderately. Give, as a purge, 
 a pint of linseed oil ; apply mustard blisters to the loins ; 
 and, for diet, allow green food, bran mashes, scalded lin- 
 seed, etc., and linseed or slippery elm tea for drink. Should 
 it persist in spite of the adoption of the measures already 
 recommended, the following drench may be tried : take 
 fluid extract of trailing arbutus one-half ounce, water four 
 ounces ; mix, and give three times a day. 
 
 DISEASES OF THE ORGANS OF GENERATION. 
 
 .Balanitis, or inflammation of the penis, is a disease 
 which speaks worlds of low-voiced commentaries on the 
 stupidity of the horse's keeper. The causes are the de- 
 
102 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES, 
 
 composition of tlie natural secretions when they have been 
 allowed to collect for any length of time. 
 
 The symptoms are a straddling gait ; swelling of the 
 sheath ; foul sores, with fungous growths springing from 
 them upon the penis. 
 
 In the treatment, wash the parts clean with soap and 
 water daily, and apply the following : glycerine one ounce, 
 carbolic acid, two drachms. Mix. 
 
 PROLAPSUS OF THE UTERUS. 
 
 This disease sometimes follows parturition, but it is of 
 very rare occurrence. The principal cause of prolapsus is 
 the enormous distention of the vagina by parturition. The 
 vaginal column is thus not only weakened, but the perin- 
 seum is often much weakened by over distention if not 
 by laceration. Having thus lost its tone, the perinseum 
 no longer sufficiently antagonizes the diaphragm, and 
 the womb is steadily pushed down the vagina. 
 
 In the treatment, the uterus should be at once replaced 
 by the hand, using as little force as possible, and be- 
 fore the hand is withdrawn be sure that the uterus is 
 really turned back again from its inverted position, and 
 inject one pint cold water, containing two drachms gly- 
 cerine, two drachms tincture of opium, and one drachm 
 tannin. 
 
 CHAPTEE XIII. 
 
 Constitutional Diseases, Diseases of the Mouth, and 
 Marks of Age. 
 
 Fevers. — Glanders.— Farcy.— Lampass.— Marks of Age. 
 
 FEVERS. 
 
 Fever, as a disease of itself, without any inflammatory 
 complication, is happily one of rare occurrence, but one of 
 
DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, AND MAHKS OF AGE. 103 
 
 the most dangerous affections to which the horse is liable. 
 The horse has fever more or less when he is affected 
 with catarrh, as wo have already described under that 
 head, botli in the common and epidemic catarrh ; — in- 
 deed, all the important inflammations of the horse are 
 attended with more or less fever. Therefore, fever is 
 not characterized by any one, but depends upon the co- 
 existence of many symptoms. However, the general char- 
 acter of fever is clearly sliown by examination of tlie 
 blood. Tlie alteration of the blood in fevers consists gen- 
 erally in a diminution of the fibrinous element, the blood 
 becomes thinner, which is the reverse of what occurs in 
 inflammation. Fevers have been usually divided into 
 the simple and typhoid fever. 
 
 Simple fever is characterized by a starring coat ; ap- 
 petite lost ; cold legs and feet, with increased warmth 
 of body ; the pulse quick and variable ; breathing quick- 
 ened ; bowels costive, and urine scanty. These symp- 
 toms may continue for two or three days, and then be 
 complicated by inflammation in some organ of the body, 
 or put on tlie typhoid type. In the treatment, allow 
 plenty of pure air and cold water, and give fifteen drops 
 tincture of aconite three times a day. 
 
 Typhoid fever, as we have already shown, sometimes 
 appears as an epidemic, occurring as a sequel to catarrh, 
 but among horses in different parts of this country, tj- 
 phoid fever is of yearly occurrence in its pure form, 
 without any inflammatory complication. The greatest di- 
 versity of opinion has prevailed regarding its theory : hence, 
 the multiplicity of names given to the disease, which can 
 do no possible harm : they only serve to point out to us 
 the chief symptoms which may be grouped together as a 
 whole, under the head of typhoid fever. In the West and 
 Northern States, its primary seat has been placed in the 
 mouth, and there it is called black tongue, because that 
 
104 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES, 
 
 organ changes in color, varying from a deep purple to 
 black. In other parts of the country, its primary seat 
 has been placed in the throat, and termed chocking dis- 
 temper. Others have called it putrid fever, from the of- 
 fensive smell emanated from the animal. In New York it 
 is termed cerebro-spinul-meningitis, because it is thought 
 by Prof. Liantard to present similar symptoms to those 
 when man is the subject. It would seem, however, that 
 although in typhoid fever the whole of the functions are 
 morbidly impressed, the argument in favor of the impres- 
 sion being most on the nervous system and the system of 
 nutrition is the strongest. 
 
 The causes of typhoid fever in the horse are specific, 
 similar to those that give rise to the same disease in his 
 master — man — namely, miasma, arising from excrementaiy 
 decomposition in and around the stable or from decaying 
 vegetable matter and stagnant water. 
 
 It is not contagious, but is brought on almost always 
 epidemic in a sporadic form, attacking every horse in the 
 stable and even neighborhood, by the same causes being 
 applied to nearly all subjects alike. 
 
 The symptoms in its early stage can scarcely be distin- 
 guished from simple fever, but as the disease advances, a 
 difficulty in swallowing will be observed, with the strength 
 much reduced ; the breath is very offensive, and the mouth 
 is full of a black discharge from the tongue and gums ; 
 the pulse is vei-y low ; strength entirely gone ; the horse 
 is unable to walk, and soon he lies or falls down, unable 
 to rise. 
 
 In the treatment, the indications are to remove all the 
 horses from the cause to a more dry and airy location, 
 and a cure is more likely to be effected ; ventilation and 
 cleanliness, keeping the bowels free by injection, with the 
 avoiding of all irritation of every kind, are the main indi- 
 cations. However, the practitioner has to discriminate 
 
DISEASES OF THE MuUTH, AND MARKS OF AGE. 105 
 
 carefully between oppression and prostration. The former 
 may require evacuants, the latter cannot. 
 
 In the wliole management of this affection the strength 
 must be supported by tonics. Tlie following will be found 
 very applicable in all cases : take tinctui'e of gelseminuni 
 fifty drops, sulphate of quinia ten grains, water one tea- 
 cupful. Mix, and give at one dose, and repeat every two 
 hours until its specific action is discovered by distressed 
 prostration and clouded vision. Then the following stimu- 
 lant may be given : carbonate of ammonia one-half ounce, 
 capsicum one drachm, water one half pint. Mix, and give 
 at one dose, and repeat every half hour until the horse 
 appears refreshed. If the horse is unable to stand, give 
 him a good bed, and turn him from one side to the other, 
 to prevent sores on the body. 
 
 GLANDERS-PAECY. 
 
 This fearful disease of the horse tribe arises spontane- 
 ously, without doubt, by human depravity. Would man 
 remove the following causes, glanders would in one year 
 undoubtedly be banished from the list of diseases to 
 which the horse is liable. 
 
 , The causes of glanders are the usual influences that 
 generate putrid poisons, namely : insufficient and unwhole- 
 some food, close confinement and ill ventilation. This 
 poison when introduced, acts as a ferment, the matter is 
 resolved into new compounds, and disease quickly follows. 
 It is undoubtedly highly contagious both to man and other 
 animals, and no man who regards his own welfare and 
 that of his neighbors should keep a glandered horse. 
 
 Symptoms. — It may occur in two forms which, however, 
 are merely manifestations of the same disease in different 
 tissues. When seated in the nasal cavities, it is called 
 glanders ; when in the lymphatic system, farcy. But 
 these two forms are essentially identical : the pus of either 
 
106 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES, 
 
 of them will produce the other ; and farcy always termi- 
 nates in g-landers if the animal live long enough, and its 
 progress is not arrested. The symptoms of gLmders are 
 a continual flow of discharge from one or both nostrils 
 (generally the left), which discharge is at first thin, acrid, 
 transparent, and without odor ; then thick and glairy like 
 the white of an egg ; but after a time becomes purulent, 
 bloody and horribly offensive, retaining, however, its vis- 
 cidity. Soon after, the enlarged submaxillary gland may 
 be felt under the lower jaw adhering to the bone. Next, 
 if the nose be examined, its lining membrane will be seen 
 to present one or more ulcers, having ragged and sharp 
 edges, with depressed centres ; these spread wide and 
 deep, and lead to caries of the bone. Then the lips and 
 eyelids swell, and the conjunctiva suppurate ; and the ex- 
 ternal parts of the face may become gangrenous, and the 
 animal die in a few days with putrid fever ; or he may 
 perish more slowly. The disease may spread to the lungs, 
 (then called equinia glay^didera, or glanders with tubercles 
 of the lungs), and death may be induced by cough, emaci- 
 ation, and the formation of unhealthy abscesses in the 
 lungs and other parts of tlie body. 
 
 Syniptovis of Farcy. — This disease begins with hard, 
 cord-like swellings of the lymphatic glands, appearing in 
 the shape of small tumors in the skin, called farcy-buds. 
 These buds are usually met with in the thin skin covering 
 the inside of the thighs, lips, face and neck ; sometimes 
 very painful, suppurating and degenerating into foul ul- 
 cers, which discharage a copious thin, sanious matter. In 
 process of time the general system suffers as in glanders, 
 and if suffered to proceed unchecked, farcy leads to glan- 
 ders, although more frequently the latter arises first. 
 
 In the treatment, the disease most generally resists all 
 remedies, and as the risk of contagion is too great to be 
 incurred, the horse ought at once to be destroyed. How- 
 
DISEASES OF THE MOUTH, AND MARKS OF AGE. 10 "7 
 
 ever, many cases of glanders, by giving antizymotics, have 
 been cured, and few cases of farcy die from them. In the 
 management of the disease, allow the horse a good gener. 
 ous diet, a clean and well ventilated stable, and give the 
 following once daily : carbolic acid fifteen drops, sulphate 
 of iron, in powder, two drachms, Peruvian bark four 
 drachms ; mix, and form into a ball with molasses and 
 linseed meal. 
 
 In the second and third stage of glanders, no remedy 
 can be relied on, and the patient ougbt to be destroyed. 
 
 LAMPASS. 
 
 Lampass consists in an active inflammation of the 
 ridges, or burs, in the roof of the mouth. The mucous 
 membrane of the roof of the mouth swells so much that it 
 projects below the level of the nippers, and is so ten- 
 der that all hard and dry food irritates ; therefore, it is 
 mostly refused. Young horses are the ones most liable to 
 lampass while shedding the teeth or putting up the tushes. 
 The treatment consists in the scarification of the part 
 with a sharp knife, and give a mild dose of physic. This 
 is far better than the barbarous treatment of burning the 
 swelling down with a red hot iron. 
 
 MARKS OF AGE. 
 
 The appearance and shape of the teeth constitute what 
 is most generally relied upon as a means of determining 
 the age of a hoi'se ; and they really form a quite accurate 
 mark of age xmtil the animal is past his prime. 
 
 The teeth of the horse are the hardest and most compact 
 bones of the body. There are usually forty of them in the 
 horse, and thirty-six in the mare. In the latter the tushes 
 are usually wanting. They are divided into twelve nip- 
 pers, four tushes and twenty-four grinders, which number 
 are equally divided between the two jaws. There are two 
 
108 CONSTITUTIONAL DISEASES, ETC. 
 
 sets of teeth, a temporary, or milk set, and a permanent 
 set, — a provision which kind Nature has furnished for both 
 man, and the most of the brute creation. The shedding 
 of the milk teeth and tlie replacement of them by the per- 
 manent teeth, and the changes which occur in the perma- 
 nent teeth by the natural wear, is now the general crite- 
 rion of age. 
 
 At ten or twelve days old the mouth of the foal will 
 show four front teeth, or nippers, two in each jaw ; about 
 the close of the first month the next four appear, one upon 
 each side of theothers in both jaws. Between the seventh 
 and eighth month the corner teeth, or last pair of tempo- 
 rary nippers appears in each jaw, and at one year old, tlie 
 four central nippers in each jaw are worn nearly level, and 
 the corner teeth, which are now of the same length, are 
 rapidly becoming so. During the second year the dark 
 brown groove is worn out of all the front teeth. The third 
 year the central nippers are shed, and their place occu- 
 pied by the permanent pair nearly full grown. In the 
 fourth year the same changes occur in the second and 
 third pair of nippers, and a^ the age of five, the mouth is 
 complete, the tushes are in plain sight. During the sixth 
 year the tushes attain their full growth, and the grooves 
 fill up in the central nippers. At seven the groove in the 
 second pair of nippers is no longer visible. At eight, the 
 whole of the grooves are filled up. At nine years old, a 
 hook has been formed on the corner teeth ; the point of the 
 tusk is worn off, and the gum is shrinking away from the 
 front teeth. In consequence, they are becoming of a long 
 and narrow shape. After this there is no criterion to go 
 by. True, many judges undertake to tell a horse's age 
 from nine to twenty years old, (by the lipe, hair, chin, the 
 dim eye and wrinkled eyelid), which, in my opinion, is 
 impossible ; they merely make a guess, and four times out 
 of five they labor under a mistake. 
 
^i^PEisrr>ix. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Veterinary Pharmacopceia, 
 
 Alteratives. — Anaesthetics. — Anodynes.— Antiseptics. — Antizymotics. 
 
 — Anthelmintics. — Afekients Astringents.— Blisters.— Caustics. — 
 
 Cltsters.— Demulcents.— Diaphoretics.— Diuretics. — Embrocations. 
 —Expectorants. — Febrifuges. — Lotions. — Stimulants.— Stomachics.— 
 Styptics. — Tonics. 
 
 ALTERATIVES. 
 
 Peruvian Bark 2 oz«. 
 
 Gentiaa ... 2 " 
 
 Colombo 2 " 
 
 Resin 2 " 
 
 Licorice 2 " 
 
 Stramonium Seeds J oz. 
 
 Linseed meal 4 ozs. 
 
 Mix. Dose, one tablespoonful at 
 night. 
 
 For General Use. 
 
 Flower of Sulphur 1 lb. 
 
 Resin 1 " 
 
 Glauber Salts 1 " 
 
 Linseed meal 1 " 
 
 Mix. Dose, one tablespoonful at 
 night. 
 
 Fenugreeli 2 ozs. 
 
 Black Antimony 2 " 
 
 Licorice 2 " 
 
 Gentian 2 " 
 
 Aniseseed 2 " 
 
 Resin 2 •' 
 
 TartarEraetic 2 dre. 
 
 Mix. Dose, one tablegpoonful 
 twice a day. 
 
 In Debility of Stomach. 
 
 Aloes 1 oz. 
 
 Subnitrate of Bismuth. . . J oz. 
 Cascarilla Bark, powdered 2 ozs. 
 Gentian Root, " ' 2 " 
 
 Ginger, '' 2 " 
 
 Colombo, " 2 " 
 
 Dose, one tablespoonful every 
 other night. 
 
 ANESTHETICS. 
 This term is now almost restricted to agents wliicli pro- 
 duce such effects by being received into the lungs in the 
 form of vapors, and passing with the blood to the nervous 
 centres on which their action is exerted. A sort of intoxi- 
 cation supervening with imperfect power of regulating the 
 movements ; sensation and motion are suspended, and ulti- 
 
110 
 
 VETERINARY PHARMACOPffilA. 
 
 mately if the quantity inhaled be sufficient the respiration 
 ceases, and death is the consequence. They have been, 
 and are greatly used in surgical operations ; and in such 
 cases, as well as in many diseases, especially of a painful 
 nature, produce the most beneficial results. Chloroform 
 is the drug generally used in veterinary surgery. 
 
 ANODYNES. 
 Anodyne Drenches for Colic. 
 
 No. 1. 
 
 Gum Myrrh, powdered ^ oz. 
 
 Cayenne Pepper 2 J drs. 
 
 Caustic Potash J oz. 
 
 Gum Camphor 6 drs. 
 
 Rye Whiskey 1 pt. 
 
 Mix. Dose, one ounce in a pint 
 of hot water every half hour. 
 
 No. 3. 
 
 Chloroform 1 oz. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 oz. 
 
 Water i pint. 
 
 No. 2. 
 
 Chloroform 1 J ozs. 
 
 Tincture of Opium IJ '■ 
 
 Tincture of Camphor IJ " 
 
 Spirit Ammonia Aromatic. 1 J " 
 
 Oil Cinnamon 20 drops 
 
 Brandy 2 ozs. 
 
 Mix. Dose, one ounce every 
 hour in a pint of water. 
 No. 4. 
 
 Dioscorein 20 grs. 
 
 Asclepidin 20 grs. 
 
 Ginger ^ oz. 
 
 Whiskey J pint. 
 
 Mix, and give at one dose. 
 
 Mix, and give at one dose. 
 
 Anodyne Drencd for Diarrhea. 
 
 Gum Arabic 2 oz. 
 
 Boiling Water 1 pint. 
 
 Dissolve, and then add : 
 
 Fluid Extract Blackberry Root J oz. 
 
 Tincture Opium J oz. 
 
 Mix, and give night and morning. 
 
 ANTISEPTICS. 
 
 1. Carbolic Acid 1 dr. 
 
 Water 2 ozs. 
 
 3. Nitrate of Lead 1 dr. 
 
 Water Ipiut. 
 
 5. Permanganate of Potash 1 dr. 
 Water 1 pint. 
 
 Bro-Chloralum(Tllden'i 
 Water 
 
 I oz. 
 
 8 0Z3. 
 
 I dr. 
 
 4. Chroride of Zinc. 
 
 Water 1 plat. 
 
 [G. Liquor Chlorinated Soda. 1 oz. 
 I Water 1 pint. 
 
VETERINARY PHARIIACOPCEIA. 
 
 HI 
 
 ANTIZrMOTICS. 
 
 Sulphite of Magnegia, 1 ounce three 
 
 times a day. 
 Sulphite of Soda, 1 ounce three 
 
 times a day. 
 
 Carbolic Acid 15 drops. 
 
 Glycerine 1 oz. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 dr. 
 
 Water 4 ozs. 
 
 Mix, and give twice a day. 
 
 Carbolic Acid 15 drop?. 
 
 Sulphate of Iron, in pow.. 2 drs. 
 
 Peruvian Bark 4 drs. 
 
 Mix, and give once daily. 
 
 Sulphate of Zinc 15 grs. 
 
 Spanish Fly 7 grs. 
 
 Powdered Allspice 15 grs. 
 
 Mix, give once a day. 
 
 (Recommended by Prof. Clark.) 
 
 ANTHELMINTICS. 
 
 Indian Pink Root, pow. . . 2 drs. 
 Barbadoes Aloes, " ... 3 drs. 
 
 Powdered Savin 1 dr. 
 
 Santonin 5 grs. 
 
 Miz. Molasses to make a ball, 
 give at night, and follow by a 
 purge next morning. 
 
 Santonin 20 grs. 
 
 Powdered Ginger 10 grs. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 4 drs. 
 
 Sulphur 1 oz. 
 
 Mi.x. Molasses enough to make 
 a ball, give once a day for three 
 days. 
 
 APERIENTS. 
 OnoiNART Physic Balls. 
 
 1. Barbadoes Aloes 6 drs. 
 
 Castile Soap 4 drs. 
 
 Ginger 1 dr. 
 
 Mix. Dissolve in a small quantity 
 of boiling water, and then slowly 
 evaporate to a proper consistence, 
 by which means griping is avoided. 
 
 Laxative Drenches 
 
 2. Barbadoes Aloes 6 drs. 
 
 Bitartrate of Potash J dr. 
 
 Ginger J dr. 
 
 Powdered Cloves J dr. 
 
 Dissove and evaporate, and then 
 add Oil of Caraway, 12 drops. 
 
 Barbadoes Aloes 4 drs. 
 
 Powdered Cloves 2 drs. 
 
 Bitartrate of Potash 1 dr. 
 
 Oil of Caraway 15 drops 
 
 Boiling Water i pint. 
 
 ASTRINGENTS. 
 For Bloody Ukine 
 
 Castor Oil 4 ozs. 
 
 Epsom Salts 4 ozs. 
 
 Warm Water 1 pint. 
 
 1. Gallic Acid 40 grs. 
 
 Syrup 2 dr. 
 
 Water i pint. 
 
 Mix, and give twice a day. 
 
 2. Extract of Rhatany 3 drs. 
 
 Water ^ pint. 
 
 Give three times a day. 
 
12 
 
 VETERINARY PHARMACOPCEIA. 
 
 Astringent Lotions. 
 
 1. Alum 1 dr. 
 
 Water J pint. 
 
 3. Oak Bark 2 ozs. 
 
 Boiling Water 1 pint, 
 
 5. Catechu l*dr. 
 
 2. Tannin 1 dr. 
 
 Water 4 ozs. 
 
 4. Sulphate of Copper 2 drs. 
 
 Water 1 pint. 
 
 6. Liquor Persulphate of Iron. 
 
 Boiling Water J pint. | 7. Elixir of Vitriol and Tannin. 
 
 BLISTERS. 
 
 Mild Blister Ointment. 
 
 Lard 4 ozs 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 1 oz. 
 
 Powdered Spanish Flies. . . J oz. 
 Mix. 
 
 Strong Blister. 
 
 Lard 
 
 Oil Origanum 
 
 Powdered Euphorbium 
 
 Powdered Spanish Flies. . 
 
 4 ozs, 
 h oz. 
 h oz. 
 J oz. 
 
 Liquid Blisters. 
 
 Spanish Flies 1 oz. 
 
 Oil of Origanum 1 oz. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 2 ozs. 
 
 Aqua Ammonia 2 ozs. 
 
 Olive Oil 2 ozs. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 By Dr. Stewart. 
 
 Turpentine ^ pint. 
 
 Fine Pow'cd Corrosive Sub. 1 oz. 
 
 Gum Camphor 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Sweating Blisters kor Spavins, Ring-bones, etc. 
 
 Biniodide of Mercury 1 dr. 
 
 Lard 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Iodide of Lead 1 dr. 
 
 Lard 1 oz. 
 
 CAUSTICS. 
 
 Nitrate of Silver. Verdigris, used in powder or oint- 
 
 Sulphate of Copper. ment. 
 
 Butter of Antimony. Red Precipitate, used in powder or 
 
 Nitric Acid. ointment. 
 
 Chloride of Zinc. Burnt Alum, used dry. 
 
 Powdered White Sugar. 
 
 1. Slippery Elm Mucilage. 1 pint 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 CLYSTERS. 
 Astringent Clysters in Diarrhea. 
 
 2. Fluid Extract Blackberry 
 
 Root 1 oz. 
 
 Water 1 pint. 
 
Epsom 
 Water.. 
 
 Salts, 
 
 VETERINARY PHARMACOPffilA. 
 
 PuKGATivE Clysters. 
 
 113 
 
 2 oz?. 
 1 pint. 
 
 Extract Colocyuth 2 drs. 
 
 Boiling Water 1 pint. 
 
 Clysters fok Dkstkoying Worms. 
 
 Aloes 1 dr. 
 
 Castile Soap 1 dr. 
 
 Water , 1 pint. 
 
 Aloes J dr. 
 
 Custile Soap | dr. 
 
 Assufoetida J dr. 
 
 Water 1 pint. 
 
 Clysters for " Prolapsus Ani. 
 
 Ti net. Prickly Ash Berries. 4 ozs. 
 
 Tincture Nu.\ Vomica 3 drs. 
 
 Mix. Inject one tablespoonful 
 into tlie rectum three times a day. 
 
 White Oak Bark 2 ozs. 
 
 Water 1 qt. 
 
 Boil for twenty minutes, and 
 strain. Inject 4 ounces three times 
 a day. 
 
 DEMULCENTS. 
 
 Linseed 4 ozs. 
 
 Water 1 qt. 
 
 Simmer till a thick decoction is 
 obtained, and give night and morn- 
 ing. 
 
 Slippery Elm Bark 2 ozs. 
 
 Water 1 qt. 
 
 Simmer 1 hour, and give night 
 and morning. 
 
 DIAPHORETICS. 
 
 Liquor Acetate of Ammonia 3 ozs 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. Give at night. 
 
 Liquor Acetate of Ammonia 3 oz.q. 
 
 Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1 oz. 
 
 Mi.x. Give at night. 
 
 DIURETICS. 
 
 Powdered Resin 3 drs. 
 
 Saltpetre 2 drs. 
 
 Castile Soap 3 drs. 
 
 Oil of Juniper 1 dr. 
 
 Saltpetre J oz. 
 
 Cream of Tartar 2 drs. 
 
 Juniper Berries 1 dr. 
 
 Castile Soap 3 drs. 
 
114 
 
 VETERINARY PHARMACOPEIA. 
 
 Nitre., 
 Rusio. 
 
 Diuretic Powders for Mashes 
 J oz. 1 Resin 
 
 1 oz. 
 
 Sulphur 2 ozs. 
 
 Stimuiating Embrocatiox. 
 
 Camphor Gum I oz. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 2 ozs, 
 
 Oil of Origanum J oz. 
 
 Alcohol 3 ozs, 
 
 Mi.x. 
 
 EMBROCATIONS.— (Liniments.) 
 
 Sweating Embrocation. 
 Strong Mercurial Ointment. 2 ozg 
 
 Camphor Gum J oz. 
 
 Oil of Amber 2 dr. 
 
 Oil of Turpentine 1 oi;. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 For Blows and Bruises. 
 
 Tincture Arnica 1 oz. 
 
 Tincture Aconite 1 oz. 
 
 Muriate of Ammonia 3 dr.s. 
 
 Water 2 ozs. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Anodyne Linlmext. 
 
 Aqua Ammonia 2 oz.?. 
 
 Chloroform 1 oz. 
 
 Camphor 2 oz3. 
 
 Tincture Opium ^ oz. 
 
 Alcohol 4 ozs. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Liniments for General Use. 
 
 Alcohol 1 pt. 
 
 Fluid Extract Arnica 2 ozs. 
 
 Camphor Gum 1 oz. 
 
 Aqua Ammonia J oz. 
 
 Tincture Opium J oz. 
 
 Oilof Amber J oz. 
 
 Water 1 pt. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Oil of Rosemary 2 ozs. 
 
 Aqua Ammonia 2 " 
 
 Oilof Turpentine 2 " 
 
 Olive Oil 1§ " 
 
 Oilof Amber I^ " 
 
 Oil of Origanum 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 EXPECTORANTS. 
 For Ordinary Cough Without Ixflammatiom. 
 
 Gum Ammoniacura ^ oz. 
 
 Powdered Seneka I dr. 
 
 Powdered Squills 20 grs. 
 
 Powdered Licorice..- 1 dr. 
 
 Honey enough to form a ball. 
 Give at night. 
 
 Powdered Licorice J oz. 
 
 Gum Ammoiiiacum. 2 drs. 
 
 Balsam of Tolu 2 drs. 
 
 Powdered Seneka ^ dr. 
 
 Powdered Ipecac 10 grs. 
 
 Mix. Linseed meal and honey 
 enough to form a ball ; give at night. 
 
VETERINARY PHARMACOPffilA. 
 
 115 
 
 For Chronic Cough. 
 
 Spirits of Turpentine 2 ozs. 
 
 Mucilage of Slippery Elm. 6 oz?. 
 
 Gum Ammoniacum ^ oz. 
 
 Balsam of Tolu 1 dr. 
 
 Powdered Licorice 1 dr. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 3 ozs. 
 
 Water 2 qls. 
 
 Mix. Dose, J pint as a drench, 
 every nigbt. 
 
 Powpered Gum Myrrh 1 oz. 
 
 Oil of Tar 1 " 
 
 Tincture of Ipecac 1 " 
 
 Tincture of Squills 1 " 
 
 Honey 2 ozs. 
 
 Alcohol 1 pt. 
 
 Mix. Dose, one tablespoonful 
 every night. Beneficial in heaves. 
 
 FEBRIFUGES. 
 
 Cream of Tartar ^ oz. 
 
 Camphor 1 dr. 
 
 Calomel 20 grs. 
 
 Mix. Linseed meal and water to 
 form a ball 
 
 Cream of Tartar 4 drs 
 
 Saltpetre 2 drs. 
 
 Mix. Give in a bran mash. 
 
 CooLi.NQ Drench. 
 
 Saltpetre- 1 oz. 
 
 Sweet Spirits of Nitre 2 ozs. 
 
 Tincture Aconite ....15 dps. 
 
 Water 1 pt. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Saltpetre 2 drs. 
 
 Soda Carbonate 1 dr. 
 
 Sweet Spirits of Nitre 3 drs. 
 
 Water 1 pt. 
 
 Mix. Give twice a day, if neces- 
 sary. 
 
 LOTIONS. 
 Cooi.i.vG Lotions kor External Inflammation. 
 
 Sugar of Lead J oz. 
 
 Borax J oz. 
 
 Vinegar 2 ozs. 
 
 Alcohol 2 ozs. 
 
 Water 1 qt. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Sal Ammonia 1 oz. 
 
 Vinegar 4 ozs. 
 
 Tincture Camphor 1 oz. 
 
 Tincture Arnica J oz. 
 
 Water I pt. 
 
 Lotions fob the Eyes. 
 
 Sulphate of Zinc 20 grs. 
 
 Water 6 ozs. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Borax 1 dr. 
 
 Water J pt. 
 
116 
 
 VETERINARY PHARMACOPCEIA. 
 
 Tannate of Zinc 30 gra. 
 
 Water 6 ozs. 
 
 Mucilage ^ oz. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Sulphate of Zinc 12 grs. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 2 drs. 
 
 Water ^ pt. 
 
 STIMULANTS. 
 
 Whiskey 1 pt. 
 
 Cayenne Pepper 1 dr. 
 
 Tincture of Ginger 4 dis. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Whisky 1 pt. 
 
 Carbonate of Ammonia. .. 1 dr. 
 Tinct. of Virginia Snake- 
 root 4 drs. 
 
 STOMACHICS. 
 
 Powdered Colombo 1 oz. 
 
 Powdered Ginger 2 drs. 
 
 Bicarbonate of Soda 1 dr. 
 
 Mix. Give once a day. 
 
 Powdered Cascarilla 1 oz. 
 
 Powdered Gentian ^ oz. 
 
 Cayenne Pepper 1 dr. 
 
 Mix. Give once a day. 
 
 Golden Seal 1 oz. 
 
 Powdered Cascarilla J oz. 
 
 Canella Alba 2 drs. 
 
 Mix. Give once a day. 
 
 Peruvian Bark 1 oz. 
 
 Cascarilla, (Powdered) .. . J oz. 
 
 Virginia Snake Root 2 drs. 
 
 Mix. Give once a day. 
 
 STYPTICS. 
 For Bleeding from tue Nostrils. 
 
 Matico Leaves, J oz. 
 
 Boiling Water 1 pt. 
 
 Infuse, and when cold, strain and 
 inject into the nostrils. 
 
 Alum 1 oz. 
 
 Sulphate of zinc 1 oz. 
 
 Boiling Water 1 qt. 
 
 When cold, strain and inject. 
 
 TONICS. 
 
 Muriated Tinct. of Iron ... 4 ozs. 
 Tincture of Colombo.... 4 ozs. 
 Dose, one tablespoonful twice a 
 day, in a pint of cold water. 
 
 Comp'nd Tinct. of Quassia 6 ozs. 
 Muriated Tincture of Iron. 3 " 
 
 Tincture of Colombo 2 " 
 
 Dose, one tablespoonful twice a 
 day, in a pint of cold water. 
 
CHAPTEE XV. 
 
 Miscellaneous Prescriptions for Vari ws Diseases Belong- 
 ing TO THE Veterinary Art. 
 
 PuRaiNG Dkixks eor Cattle. 
 
 Epsom Salts , 1 p'nd. 
 
 Ginger J oz. 
 
 Warm water 1 qt. 
 
 Epsom Salts J p'nd. 
 
 Crotoii Oil 10 d'ps. 
 
 Warm Water 1 qt. 
 
 CocoH and Fkver Drinks for Cattle. 
 
 Tartar Emetic 1 dr. 
 
 Tiucture of Aconite 10 d'ps. 
 
 Saltpetre 3 drs. 
 
 Give iu a quart of thick gruel. 
 
 1. Powdered Gentian Root. J oz. 
 
 Powdered Colombo 1 dr. 
 
 Powdered Ginger 1 dr. 
 
 Epsom Salts 2 oz. 
 
 Mix. Give in a pint of warm 
 gruel morning and night. 
 
 Anodyne Drink for Cattle. 
 
 Tincture of Opium J oz. 
 
 Sweet Spirits of Nitre. ... 2 ozs. 
 Water 1 pt. 
 
 Diuretic Drink for Cattle. 
 
 Saltpetre 1 oz. 
 
 Powdered Resin ... 2 ozs. 
 
 Ginger 2 drs. 
 
 Warm Water 1 pt. 
 
 Powdered Licorice Root... 2 ozs. 
 Boiling Water 1 pt. 
 
 When cold add : 
 
 Powdered Squills 2 drs. 
 
 Powdered Gum Guiacum.. 1 dr. 
 Tincture Balsam of Tolu.. J oz. 
 Honey 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. Give twice a day. (For 
 cough.) 
 
 Tonic Drinks fob Cattle. 
 
 2. Powdered Gentian 2 drs. 
 
 Tiucture of Iron 1 dr. 
 
 Ginger I dr. 
 
 Mix. Give in a pint of water. 
 
 Astringent Drinks for Cattle. 
 
 Prepared Chalk 2 ozs. 
 
 Fluid Extract of Rhatany. I oz. 
 
 Powdered Catechu ^ oz. 
 
 Tincture of Opium ^ oz. 
 
 Ginger 2 drs. 
 
 Mix. Give in a quart of warm 
 gruel. 
 
 Drink for Worms'in Cattle. 
 Oil of Turpentine 2 ozs. 
 
 Sweet Spirits of Nitre. , 
 Linseed Oil , 
 
 1 oz. 
 
118 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS PRESCRIPTIONS. 
 
 Ointment for Sore Teats. 
 Spermaceti Ointment.... 6 ozs. 
 Sugar of Lead, Powdered. 1 oz. 
 
 Alum, Powdered 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. 
 
 Pdrginq Drink for Calves. 
 
 EpsomSalts lto2 ozs. 
 
 Ginger 20 grs. 
 
 Powdered Cloves 10 " 
 
 Mix. Give in a half pint of warm 
 gruel. 
 
 Purging Drink for Sheep. 
 
 EpsomSalts 2 ozs. 
 
 Ginger 1 'Ir- 
 
 Powdered Caraways 1 dr. 
 
 Mix. Warm thin gruel half a 
 pint. 
 
 Astringent Dkink for Sheep. 
 
 Prepared Chalk 2 drs. 
 
 Ginger Mr- 
 Catechu, Powdered ^r. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 20 d'pp. 
 
 Give in half a pint of slippery 
 elm tea, twice a day. 
 
 Alterative Tonic Powders for 
 Cattle. 
 
 Flour of Sulphur 4 ozs. 
 
 Bhick Sulphuret of Anti- 
 mony 1 oz. 
 
 Pa'siu, Powdered 1 oz. 
 
 Nitre, Powdered 2 ozs. 
 
 Powdered Gentian 2 ozs. 
 
 Powdered Ginger 1 oz. 
 
 Mix. Divide into six powders, 
 
 and give one daily. 
 
 Ointment for Garget in Cows. 
 Solid Extract of Poke Root 2 ozs. 
 Lard J p'nd. 
 
 Astringent Drink for Calves. 
 
 Prepared Chalk 2 drs. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 1 dr. 
 
 Powdered Catechu J dr. 
 
 Ginger J dr. 
 
 Powdered Caraway Seeds. 20 grs. 
 
 Mix. Give in halfa pint of gruel. 
 
 Astringent Dkink lor Lambs. 
 Comp. Powder of Chalk... J drs. 
 
 Tincture of Opium 5 d'ps. 
 
 Powdered Gentian 20 grs. 
 
 Powdered Caraway Seeds. 10 gr.s. 
 
 Mix in half a teacupfui of 
 slippery elm tea, and give night 
 and morning. 
 
 Disinfectant Lotion for Cattle. 
 Bromo-Chloralum (Til- 
 den's) 1 oz. 
 
 Water 8 ozs. 
 
 Ointment for Lice on Cattle. 
 Strong Mercurial Ointment 1 oz. 
 Lard 6 ozs. 
 
 Mix. Apply well, on wherever 
 the animal cannot lick it off. 
 
CHAPTEE XVI. 
 
 List op Vetekinaby Drugs, with a Synopsis of their Medical 
 Pkoperties akd Doses. 
 
 Acid, Acetic. — Only used externally as an ingredient in 
 cooling lotions. 
 
 Acid, Carbolic. — Antiseptic, disinfectant, and escharotic, 
 externally, and stimulant internally. Dose, 10 drops, 
 largelj'^ diluted in water. 
 
 Acid, Muriatic. — In small doses. Tonic, dose 1 drachm, 
 diluted with water. 
 
 Acid, Nitric. — Externally escharotic, internally tonic. Dose, 
 1 to 2 drachms, largely diluted in water. 
 
 Acid, Hydrocyanic ; Prussic Acid Medicinally.— Used as a 
 sedative to reduce the action of the heart. Dose, 20 to 
 30 drops, administered with caution. 
 
 Acid, Pyroxylic ; Medicinally Naphtha. — Narcotic and ex- 
 pectorant. Dose, I ounce. 
 
 Acid, Phosphoric. — Tonic used in diabetes. Dose, 1 ounce. 
 
 Acid, Sulphuric. — Caustic, only used externally. 
 
 Acid, Tannic. — Astringent. Dose, 20 to 30 grains. 
 
 Aconite ; Monkshood. — Poisonous in largo doses. Used 
 medicinally sedative, anti-spasmodic and anodyne. It is 
 generally given as a tincture of the root. Dose, 15 to 
 20 drops. 
 
 Alcohol. — Stimulant. Dose, 2 to 6 ounces. 
 
 Aloes. — Barbadoes is the kind of this drug which is gen- 
 erally used in veterinary practice. Its action is cathar- 
 tic in large doses, and tonic in small. Dose, 2 to 6 
 drachms. For a foal, give 5 grains for every week of 
 its age. 
 
 Ai.uM. — Irritant, ai^tringent and sedative. Dose, 2 to 4 
 drachms. 
 
120 LIST OF VETERINARY DRUGS. 
 
 Ammonia, Liquor of ; Spirit of Hartshorn. — Tnternally stim- 
 ulant, anti-spasniodic ;ind alexipliarmic ; exiernally irri- 
 tant. Dose, 2 to 6 drachms. 
 
 Ammonia, Aromatic Spirit of ; Sal Volatile. — Medical prop- 
 erties bear a close resemblance to the Liquor. It is a 
 weaker preparation. Dose, 4 to 8 drachms. 
 
 Ammonia, Cakb )Nate of. — Antacid and stimulant. Dose, 2 
 to 4 drachms. 
 
 Ammonia, Muriate of ; Sal Ammoniac. — Only used exter- 
 nally. Dissolved in water as a lotion. 
 
 Ammoniacum, Gum. — Stimulant, anti-spasmodic and expec- 
 torant. Dosn, 4 to 8 drachms. 
 
 Aniseseed. — Stomachic and carminative. Dose, 1 drachm. 
 
 Antimony, Sulphuret of. — Alterative and anthelmintic. 
 Dose, 2 drachms to 1 ounce. 
 
 Antimony, Chloride of; Batter of Antimony. — Used exter- 
 nally as a caustic. 
 
 Antimony, Tartarized ; Tartar Emetic. — Febrifuge and an- 
 thelmintic. Dose, 1 to 6 drachms. 
 
 Arsenic, White. — Poisonous in large doses, and tonic in 
 small ones, having also a peculiar effect on the skin. 
 Dose, 5 to 10 grains. 
 
 Arsenic, Fowler's Solution of, — Tonic and alterative. 
 Dose, 40 to 50 drops 3 times a day. 
 
 Arnica, Tincture of — Only used externally as a lotion. 
 
 Asafoetida, Gum. — Stimulant, carminative and vermifuge. 
 Dose, 2 drachms, 
 
 Asclepidin ; Active principal of Pleurisy Root. — Tonic, 
 diaphoretic, expectorant, carminative, diuretic and anti- 
 spasmodic. Dose, 10 to 50 grains. 
 
 Belladonna ; Deadly Nightshade, — A narcotic acrid poison 
 in large doses ; in small ones anodyne and anti-spas- 
 modic. Dose, 2 ounces of the powdered leaves. Tinc- 
 ture, 2 to 4 drachms. 
 
 Balsam of Copaiba. Diuretic and expectorant. Dose, 2 
 to 3 drachms. 
 
LIST OF VETERINARY DRUGS. 121 
 
 Broiio Chloralum. — Powerful deodorizer, disinfectant and 
 anti-septic. Used externally as a lotion to foul wounds, 
 1 ounce to half a gallon of water. For wash for diseases 
 to swab the mouth and nostrils, 1 ounce to 8 of water. 
 
 Camphor, Gum. — Stimulant, sedative and anti-spasmodic. 
 Dose, 1 to 4 drachms. 
 
 Cantharides ; Spanish Flies. — Should only be used exter- 
 nally as an ingredient in blistering- ointments. 
 
 Capsicum ; Cayenne Pepper. — Stimulant. Dose, 1 to 2 
 drachms. 
 
 Cascarilla, Bark of. — Tonic. Dose, 1 to 2 ounces. 
 
 Castor Oil. — Purgative. Dose, 1 pint. 
 
 Catechu. — Astringent and anti-septic. Dose, 2 to 5 drachms. 
 
 Chalk, Prepared. — Ant-acid and astringent. Dose, 1 to 2 
 ounces. 
 
 Chamomile Flowers. — Stomachic, carminative and tonic. 
 Dose, 1 to 2 ounces. 
 
 Charcoal. — Anti-septic. Used externally as an application 
 to foul wounds. 
 
 Chloroform. — Anaesthetic, stimulant and anti-spasmodic. 
 Inhaled in doses of 2 to 4 ounces. Given internally, 
 dose, I to 1 ounce. 
 
 Cinchona ; Peruvian Bark. Astringent and tonic. Dose, 
 1 to 3 ounces. 
 
 CoLCHicuM ; Meadow Saffron. — Cathartic, diuretic and seda- 
 tive. Dose, of the root or seeds, I to 2 drachms. 
 
 Copper, Sulphate of. — Used externally as a caustic, inter- 
 nally tonic and astringent. Dose, 1 to 2 drachms. 
 
 Copper, Subacetate of ; Verdigris. — Poisonous. Only used 
 as an external application. 
 
 Creosote. — Sedative, anodyne, astringent and anti-septic. 
 Dose, 10 to 30 drops. Used externally in skin diseases 
 mixed with oil or lard, 1 drachm to 3 or 4 ounces. 
 
 Croton Oil. — A powerful cathartic. Dose, 10 to 15 drops. 
 
 Digitalis ; Foxglove. — Sedative and diuretic. It is one 
 6 
 
122 LIST OF VETERINARY DRUGS. 
 
 of those remedies which should alwaj's be administered 
 with much caution, on account of its accumulatory ef- 
 fects in the system, and of its being a powerful poison. 
 Dose of the powdered leaves, 10 to 20 grains. Tincture, 
 40 to 50 drops. 
 
 Ether, Solphdric. — Stimulant, narcotic and anti-spasmodic. 
 Dose, 1 to 3 ounces. 
 
 Galls. — Astringent. Dose, 4 to 6 drachms. 
 
 Gentian. — Stomachic and tonic. Dose, 4 to 8 drachms. 
 
 Ginger. — Stomachic and carminative. Dose, 1 ounce. 
 
 Glycerine. — An emolient. External application. 
 
 Gums, Arabic and Tragacanth. — Used for making soothing 
 mucilaginous emulsion. Dose, 1 ounce dissolved in water. 
 
 Iodine.— Kesol vent. Dose, 1 to 1| drachms. Externally 
 it is applied in the form of tincture. 
 
 Iodide of Potassium. — Alterative, diuretic and resolvent. 
 Dose, 2 to 4 drachms. 
 
 Iron, Sulphate of. — Astringent and tonic. Dose, 1 to 3 
 drachms. 
 
 Iron, Iodide of. — Tonic and resolvent. Dose, 10 grains to 
 1 drachm. 
 
 Iron, Muriated Tincture of. — Tonic, astringent and diure- 
 tic. Dose, 1 to 11 ounces, diluted in water. 
 
 Juniper Berries. — Carminative and diuretic. Dose, 1 to 
 3 ounces. 
 
 Lead, Acetate of. — Asti'ingent and sedative. Dose, 20 to 
 60 grains. 
 
 Lead, Iodide of. — Epispastic. Only used externally as an 
 ingredient in ointments. 
 
 Lead, Nitrate of. — Anti-bromic and anti-septic. Only used 
 externally as a wash for diseases of the skin. 
 
 Linseed ; Flax seeds. — Used for food in quantities of 4 to 
 6 ounces. 
 
 Linseed Oil. — Purgative. Dose, 1 to 2 pints. 
 
 Lobelia. — Expectorant, sedative and anti-spasmodic. Dose, 
 1 to 2 drachms. 
 
LIST OF VETERINARY DRUTiS. 123 
 
 Magnesia, Sulphate of; Epsom salts. — Cathartic and diure- 
 tic. Dose, 1 to 2 pounds. 
 
 Matico, Leaves of, — Externally styptic (^ ounce to boiling 
 water 1 pint). 
 
 Mercury, Ammonio Chloride of ; White Precipitate. — Used 
 as a local application to kill lice. 
 
 Mercury, Bichloride of ; Corrosive Sublimate. — A powerful 
 poison. Used as a caustic and ing-redient in liniments. 
 
 Mercury, Subchloride of ; Calomel. — Purgative, alterna- 
 tive and anti-phlogistic. Dose, 20 grains to 1 drachm. 
 
 Mercury, Biniodide of. — Only used externally as an in- 
 gi'edient in sweating blister ointments. 
 
 Mercurial Ointment. — Used externally to kill lice and for 
 mange. 
 
 Nux Vomica ', Strychnos. — Tonic used in paralysis. Dose 
 of fluid extract, 50 to 100 drops ; solid extract, 2 to 8 
 grains. 
 
 Opium. — Stimulant, narcotic and anodyne. Dose, 1 to 2 
 drachms. Tincture, | to 1 ounce. 
 
 Potass, Acetate of. — Diuretic and deobstruant. Dose, 5 
 to 10 drachms. 
 
 Potass. — Caustic. Only used externally as a caustic. 
 
 Potass, Carbonate of. — Antacid. Dose, 1 to 5 drachms. 
 
 Potass, Chlorate of. — Refrigerant and diuretic. Dose, 3 
 to 5 drachms. 
 
 Potass, Nitrate of; Saltpetre. — Diuretic and febrifuge. 
 Dose, 6 to 8 drachms. 
 
 Potass, Permanganate of. — Anti-bromic and disinfectant. 
 Only used externally as a wash for diseases of the skin 
 
 Potass, Liquob of. — Stimulant, Dose, | to 1 ounce. 
 
 Rosin. — Diuretic. Dose, 1 to 2 ounces. 
 
 Savin, Oil of. — Anthelmintic. Dose, 20 to 50 drops. 
 
 Santonine. — Anthelmintic. Dose, |' to 1 drachm. 
 
 Sangiunaria ; Bloodroot.— Stimulant, expectorant and al- 
 terative. Dose, 1 to 3 drachms. 
 
124 LItT OF VETERINARY DRUGS. 
 
 Silver, Nitrate of. — Externally caustic, and used in solu- 
 tion for diseases of the eye. 
 
 Sodium, Chloride of ; Common salt. — Give at pleasure. 
 
 Sodium, Biborate of. — Borax. Used as a wash for diseases 
 of the eye. 
 
 Spigelia ; Pink Root. — Anthelmintic. Dose, ^ ounce. 
 
 Squills. — Expectorant and diuretic. Dose, 10 to 50 grains. 
 
 Stramonium ; Thorn Apple seeds. — Alterative and diuretic. 
 Dose, 1 ounce every third day. 
 
 Sulphur. — Alterative. Used in diseases of the skin. Dose, 
 2 ounces every day. 
 
 Sweet Spirit of Nitre. — Diuretic, diaphoretic, anti-spas- 
 modic and stimulant. Dose, 1 to 2 ounces. 
 
 Tar. — Used externally as an ingredient in ointments. 
 
 Turpentine, Spirits of. — Anti-spasmodic, diuretic and anthel- 
 mintic. Dose, I to 1 ounce. 
 
 UvA Ursi. — Astringent, tonic and diuretic. Dose, 2 to 3 
 drachms. 
 
 Veratrum Album ; White Hellebore. — Sedative. Dose, 20 
 to 30 grains. 
 
 Veratrum Viride ; American Hellebore. — Sedative and fe- 
 brifuge. Dose of fluid extract, 30 to 50 drops. 
 
 Wild Yam. — Active principal of (Dioscorea) anti-spas- 
 modic. Dose, 20 to 40 grains. 
 
 Zinc, Acetate of. — Dissolved in water to form a wash for 
 diseases of the eye. 
 
 Zinc, Carbonate of. — Used externally as an ingredient in 
 ointments. 
 
 Zinc, Chloride of. — Used externally caustic and anti-septic. 
 
 Zinc, Oxide of. — Used externally as an ingredient in oint- 
 ments. 
 
 Zinc, Sulphate of. — Dissolved in water to form a wash for 
 diseases of the eye. 
 
 Zinc, Tannate of. — Dissolved in water to form a wash for 
 diseases of the eye. 
 
CHAPTER XVn. 
 
 Definitions of Terms Denoting the Properties of Remedial Agents. 
 
 Absorbent. — Neutralizing acid or irritant substances in the 
 stomach. 
 
 Alexipharmic. — Antidote to poison. 
 
 Alterative. — An agent considered to be capable of produc- 
 ing a salutary change in a disease. 
 
 Anaesthetic. — Having the power of producing insensibility 
 to pain. 
 
 Anodyne. — A drug giving ease in pain, as opium, bella- 
 donna, chloroform, &c. 
 
 Ant-acid. — Agents that neutralize acids. 
 
 Anthelmintic. — A remedy which destroys or expels worms, 
 or prevents their formation and development. 
 
 Anti-lithic. — Tending to cure stone or gravel. 
 
 Anti-bromic. — A destroyer of offensive odors. 
 
 Anti-phlogistic. — A remedy to allay fever and inflammation. 
 
 Anti-septic. — A preventer of putrefaction. 
 
 Anti- spasmodic . — Allaying spasms. 
 
 Anti-toxic. — Antidoting poison. 
 
 Anti-zymotic. — Opposed to fermentation. 
 
 Aperient. — A gentle purgative. 
 
 Astringent. — Contracting organic texture. 
 
 Carminative. — Eemedies causing the expulsion of wind. 
 
 Cathartic. — A medicine which, when taken internally, in- 
 ci-eases the number of discharges from the bowels. 
 
 Cauterant. — A substance used for firing or disorganizing 
 the parts to which it is applied. 
 
 Corroborant. — Any substance which strengthens. 
 
 Counter-irritant. — An irritation excited in a part of the body 
 to relieve disease in another part. 
 
126 
 
 DEFINITION OF TERMS, ETC. 
 
 Demulcent. — Soothing. 
 
 Deohslruent. — A medicine given with the view of removing 
 obstructions. 
 
 JDejDurative. — Removing impurities from and purifying the 
 fluids of the body. 
 
 Detergents. — Medicines which possess the power to cleanse 
 wounds, ulcers, &c. 
 
 Diaphoretic. — A medicine which excites perspiration. 
 
 Diluent. — A drink which dilutes the liquids of the body. 
 
 Discutient. — Medicines which possess the power of repel- 
 ling morbid swellings. 
 
 Diuretic. — Increasing the secretion of urine. 
 
 Disinfectant. — Destroying the causes of infection. 
 
 Drastic. — Active, applied to purgatives. 
 
 Emetic. — A substance capable of producing vomiting. 
 
 Emollient. — Substances which relax and soften parts that 
 are inflamed. 
 
 Epispastic. — Irritating, blistering. 
 
 Errhine. — Exciting a discharge from the nose. 
 
 Escharotic. — A caustic destroyer of the flesh. 
 
 Expectorant. — Promoting mucous discharges from the air 
 passages and lungs. 
 
 Febrifuge. — A medicine which possesses the property of 
 subduing or driving away fever. 
 
 Hcemostalic. — An-esting the flow of blood. 
 
 Hepatic. — Promoting a healthy action of the liver. 
 
 Hypnotic. — A remedy producing sleep or stupor. 
 
 Irritant. — That which causes soreness and inflammation. 
 
 Laxative. — A medicine which gently opens the bowels, a 
 mild purgative. 
 
 Lenitive. — Applied to gentle remedies which allays irrita- 
 tion or palliates disease. 
 
 Lilliontriplic. — A solvent of stone in the bladder. 
 
 Narcotic. — Substances which have the property of produc- 
 ing sleep or stupor. 
 
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 127 
 
 Nervine. — A medicine that soothes nervous excitement. 
 
 Nutritive. — Nourishing. 
 
 Pectoral. — Medicines for relieving' diseases of the lungs. 
 
 Prophylactic. — A preservative or preventive of disease. 
 
 Refrigerant. — A cooling medicine. 
 
 Resolvent. — Allaying inflammation and dispersing morbid 
 swellings. 
 
 Rubefacient. — A medicine which causes redness of the skin. 
 
 Sedative. — Medicines which dii-ectly diminish vital actions. 
 
 Silagogue. — That which increases the secretion of saliva. 
 
 Sorbefacient. — A remedy that promotes absorption. 
 
 Soporific. — Medicines inducing sleep. 
 
 Spastic. — Producing involuntary muscular contraction. 
 
 Spinant. — Acting upon the spinal marrow. 
 
 Stimulant. — A medicine which increases vital action. 
 
 Stomachic. — A medicine which causes a healthful action 
 of the stomach. 
 
 Styptic. — Arresting the flow of blood ; an external astrin- 
 gent. 
 
 Sudorific. — A medicine which provokes sweating. ♦ 
 
 Suppurant. — That which facilitates suppuration. 
 
 Tonic. — Producing a permanent increase in the rigor of 
 the system. 
 
 Vermifuge. — Expelling worms. 
 
 Vesicant. — Producing blisters. 
 
 Vulnerary. — Favoring the healing of wounds. 
 
 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 
 
 The weights and measures used by physicians, veter- 
 inary surgeons and apothecaries in the United States when 
 prescribing and preparing medicines are the following : 
 
 APOTHECARIES' WEIGHTS. 
 These are derived from the Troy pound, and are ex- 
 
128 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 
 
 bibited in the following talJle with their signs by which 
 they arc denoted annexed : 
 
 20 grains (gr.) make 1 scruple. Signs, sc. or B. 
 
 3 scruples " 1 drachm. " dr. or 3. 
 
 8 dracbms " 1 ounce. " oz. or §. 
 
 12 ounces " 1 pound. " lb. 
 
 APOTHECARIES' MEASURES. 
 These are derived from the wine gallon, and are given 
 in the following table with their signs by which they are 
 denoted annexed. 
 
 60 minims (m) make 1 fluidrachra. Signs, flds or f3, 
 
 8 fluidrachms " 1 fluidounce. " floz. or f| . 
 
 16 fluidounces " 1 pint. " pt. or 0. 
 
 8 pints " 1 gallon. " gall, orcong, 
 
 APPROXIMATE MEASUREMENT. 
 A teacup is estimated to contain about 4 fluidounces. 
 i A wineglass " " " 2 " 
 
 A tablespoon of liquid is estimated to contain i a fluidounce. 
 
 " of powdered roots or bark " 2 drachms. 
 
 A teaspoon of liquid is estimated to contain 1 fluidrachm. 
 " of powdered roots or bark " | a drachm. 
 
 " " chemicals " froniGO to 120 grs. 
 
 A drop of water or watery fluids is equivalent to 1 minim. 
 " oils and tinctures " | " 
 
 " chloroform and sulphuric ether " | " 
 
 MEASURES OF LENGTH. 
 1 line, the 12th part of an inch. 
 A hand- (horse measure), 4 inches. 
 A span, 10| inches. 
 
INDEX. 
 
 ■^' PAGE. 
 
 Ass, not a horse degenerated. 2 
 
 Acute Inflammation 27 
 
 " Treatment for 28 
 
 Acute Laminltis, or Fever in 
 
 the Feet 35 
 
 Acute Laminitis, Cause of 35 
 
 " Treatment for.. 36 
 
 Abraded Wounds 45 
 
 Amaurosis, or Palsy of the Op- 
 tic Nerve 53 
 
 Albuminous Urine 101 
 
 Attention to the Feeding of 
 
 Horses 19 
 
 Alteratives 109 
 
 Antcsthetics 109 
 
 Anodynes 110 
 
 Antiseptics 110 
 
 Antizymotics Ill 
 
 Anthilmintics Ill 
 
 Aperients Ill 
 
 Astringents; 112 
 
 Apothecaries' Weights 127 
 
 " Measures 128 
 
 Approximate Measurement... 128 
 
 B. 
 
 Bleeding 28 
 
 " Place and Manner of. 29 
 
 Bone Spavin 38 
 
 '< Cause of. 38 
 
 " Treatment for.... 39 
 
 Bog Spavin and Thorough-pin. 42 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Blind Staggers 59 
 
 " Cause of. 60 
 
 " Treatment for., 60 
 
 Bleeding at the Nose 66 
 
 Bronchocele 72 
 
 " Treatment for. ... 73 
 
 Bronchitis 73 
 
 " Cause of. 74 
 
 " Treatment for 75 
 
 Bloody Urine loo 
 
 Bots 82 
 
 " How Produced in the 
 
 " Horse 83 
 
 " In the Sheep 84 
 
 Balanitis loi 
 
 Blisters 112 
 
 C. 
 
 Cruel Punishments 22 
 
 Causes of Disease 13 
 
 Civilization, not necessary to 
 
 have good Horses 13 
 
 Chronic Inflammation 30 
 
 " Progress of.. . 30 
 
 " Causes of. 30 
 
 " Treatment for 30 
 
 Cracked Hoofs 31 
 
 " Cause of 31 
 
 " Treatment for. 32 
 
 Corns 35 
 
 " Treatment for 35 
 
 Curb 41 
 
 " Treatment for 41 
 
130 
 
 Capped Koee 42 
 
 Capped Hocks 42 
 
 Capped Elbow . •. 42 
 
 Cataract 52 
 
 " Treatment for 52 
 
 Catarrh 67 
 
 " Epidemic 69 
 
 " Causes of 68 
 
 " Treatment for 69 
 
 Cough 71 
 
 Colic 89 
 
 " Spasmodic 89 
 
 " Flatulent 90 
 
 Calculi 99 
 
 Contused Wounds 45 
 
 Crib-biting 81 
 
 Caustics 112 
 
 Clysters 113 
 
 D. 
 Dental Formula of the Genus 
 
 Equus 1 
 
 Diseased Sire and Dam 13 
 
 Dark Stables 19 
 
 Dislocations 49 
 
 " Causes of 49 
 
 " Treatment for 
 
 Dyspepsia 
 
 Dysentery 91 
 
 Diseases of the Heart 80 
 
 " " Pericarditis... 80 
 
 Dropsy of the Heart 80 
 
 Heart Clot 80 
 
 Hypertrophy 81 
 
 of the Abdomen 93 
 
 " Cause of 93 
 
 " Treatment for 94 
 
 Diabetes 100 
 
 Demulcents 113 
 
 Diaphoretics 113 
 
 Diuretics 113 
 
 Definitions of terms denoting 
 
 the Properties of Remedial 
 Agents 125 
 
 E. 
 
 Exposure 23 
 
 Enteritis 87 
 
 Eyes, the Diseases of 60 
 
 Embrocations .* 144 
 
 Expectorants 114 
 
 F. 
 
 Food and Drink 19 
 
 False Quarter 33 
 
 " Treatment for,. 33 
 
 Fistula 43 
 
 " Cause of. 43 
 
 " Treatment for 43 
 
 Feet, Diseases of 31 
 
 Fractures 50 
 
 " Treatment for 50 
 
 Fevers, Simple 102 
 
 " Typhoid i03 
 
 " Causes of 103 
 
 " Treatment for 104 
 
 Farcy 105 
 
 Febrifuges 115 
 
 G. 
 
 Glanders— Farcy 105 
 
 " Causes of 105 
 
 « Treatment for 106 
 
 Gleet, Nasal 67 
 
 H. 
 
 Hinny, how Produced 1 
 
 Horse, of Scripture 1 
 
 " First Domesticated 3 
 
 " In Arabia 4 
 
 History of the Ancient Egyp- 
 tian Horse 6 
 
 History of the Grecian Horse . 7 
 " " Roman Horse.. 8 
 " of Great Britain 9 
 
131 
 
 History of Messenger 11 
 
 How to Prevent Disease 13 
 
 Hemorrhage from the Lungs. . 66 
 
 Hydrothorix 78 
 
 " Treatment for... 78 
 
 Heart, Diseases of. 80 
 
 Hoofs, Craclied 31 
 
 Heaves 78 
 
 Hydrophobia, or Rabies 97 
 
 " Causes of 98 
 
 " Symptoms of.. 98 
 
 " Treatment for.. 98 
 
 Haematuria, or Bloody Urine . . 100 
 
 I. 
 
 In-and-in-Breeding IG 
 
 Inflammations in General 25 
 
 '• Varieties of.... 25 
 " Constitutional 
 
 Causes of 25 
 
 " Local Causes of. 26 
 
 Inflammation of the Vein 44 
 
 " " Treat- 
 ment for.. 44 
 " of the Bowels.... 87 
 " " Causes of 87 
 '« " Treatment for 88 
 Inflammation of the Bladder. . 98 
 
 Treatment for 98 
 
 Inflammation of the Kidneys. . 95 
 
 Incised Wounds 45 
 
 Idiopathic Tetanus 62 
 
 Injuries 38 
 
 Joints, Sprains of. 48 
 
 " Synovial Open 44 
 
 K. 
 
 Knee, Capped 42 
 
 L. 
 
 Laminitis, Acute 35 
 
 Lampass, Treatment for 107 
 
 Laryngitis 70 
 
 " Cause of. 70 
 
 " Treatment for 70 
 
 Lotions 115 
 
 List of Veterinary Drugs, with 
 a Synopsis of their Medical 
 
 Properties and Doses 119 
 
 M. 
 
 Mules, How Produced 1 
 
 " A Natural Hybrid 4 
 
 Modern Horse of the United 
 
 States 10 
 
 Mare, Feeding of while with 
 
 Foal 14 
 
 Mange 53 
 
 Mallenders and Sallenders, ... 56 
 
 Megrims, or Epilepsy 58 
 
 Mad Staggers 61 
 
 Madness 97 
 
 Marks of Age 107 
 
 Measures of Length 128 
 
 N. 
 Natural History of the Genus 
 
 Equus 1 
 
 Noxious Vapors 18 
 
 Nicking and Docking 21 
 
 Navicular Disease 37 
 
 " Causes of 37 
 
 " Symptoms of. 37 
 
 " Treatment for 37 
 
 Nasal Gleet 67 
 
 " Its Causes and 
 
 Treatment 67 
 
 Nephritis 95 
 
 Nose, Diseases of 69 
 
 " Bleeding at 66 
 
 0. 
 
 Lacerated Wounds 45 Occult Spavin 41 
 
132 
 
 Open Synovial Joints 
 
 " " Causes 
 and Treatment for 
 
 Obstructions in the Lachrymal 
 Duct 
 
 Opthalmia, Simple 
 
 " Specific 
 
 Osseous Deposits 
 
 Over-reach 
 
 441 
 
 Place to feel the Pulse 
 
 Progress and Terminations of 
 
 Inflammation 
 
 Pumice Foot 
 
 « Causes and Treat- 
 ment for 
 
 Poll-evil 
 
 " Treatment for 
 
 Phrenitis 
 
 " Causes of and Treat- 
 ment for. 
 
 Paralysis , 
 
 Pneumonia ^ 
 
 " Cause of 
 
 " Symptoms of. 
 
 " Treatment for 
 
 Pleurisy 
 
 " Treatment for 
 
 Punctured "Wounds 
 
 Profuse Stalling 
 
 Prolapsus of the Rectum 
 
 Paralysis of the Sphincter 
 
 Muscle 
 
 Prolapsus of the Uterus 
 
 R. 
 
 Roaring • 72 
 
 Ring-Bone 40 
 
 « Cause of. 40 
 
 " Treatment for 40 
 
 Q. 
 
 Quarter Crack, 
 
 Causes of 
 
 Treatment for. 
 
 Quarter, False. 
 
 S. 
 
 Subacute Inflammation 30 
 
 Seedy Toe 33 
 
 Subacute Laminitis 36 
 
 " Treatment for 36 
 
 Splint 40 
 
 Strain of the Flexor Tendons, 
 
 Treatment for 40 
 
 Sprain of the Back Sinews, 
 
 Treatment for 41 
 
 Shoulder Sprain 48 
 
 " Treatment for 48 
 
 Strains of the Stifle 48 
 
 " " Treatment for 49 
 
 Strains of the Hip Joint 48 
 
 Specific Opthalmia 51 
 
 Simple Opthalmia SO 
 
 " Treatment for 51 
 
 SitFast 54 
 
 Swelled Leg 55 
 
 " Treatment for.. . 56 
 
 Scratches 56 
 
 " Treatment for 57 
 
 Sleepy Staggers 61 
 
 String Halt 65 
 
 " Causes of. 65 
 
 Sun-Stroke 65 
 
 Sore Throat 70 
 
 Stomach, the Diseases of 81 
 
 Spasms of the Diaphragm 79 
 
 32 Skin, the Diseases of. 53 
 
 32 Stimulants 116 
 
 32 Stomachics 116 
 
 33 Styptics 116 
 
133 
 
 T. 
 
 Tread and Over-ReaCh 34 
 
 " " Cause of 34 
 " " Treat- 
 
 ment for 34 
 
 Thrush, Cause of 34 
 
 " Treatment for 35 
 
 Tumors 54 
 
 Tendons 40 
 
 " Diseases of 40 
 
 Throat, Diseases of 66 
 
 Toe, Seedy 33 
 
 Tetanus, or Lockjaw 62 
 
 " " Idiopathic 62 
 
 " « Traumatic 62 
 
 " " Causes of.. 62 
 
 " " Treatment for 63 
 
 Tonics 116 
 
 U. 
 
 Urinary Organs, The Diseases of 95 
 
 Vein, Inflammation of the 44 
 
 w. 
 
 Wind Galls 42 
 
 Wounds, Varieties of 45 
 
 " Incised 11 
 
 " Punctured 11 
 
 " Lacerated 11 
 
 " Contused 11 
 
 Wounds, Modes of Healing. ... 45 
 " Healing by Immediate 
 
 Union 46 
 
 " Healing by Primary 
 
 Adhesions 11 
 
 " Healing by Granula- 
 tions 11 
 
 " Healing by Secondary 
 
 Adhesions 11 
 
 " Healing under a Scab 46 
 
 " Treatment for 47 
 
 " To Stop Bleeding.... 47 
 " To Remove Foreign 
 and Irritating Bod- 
 ies 47 
 
 " To Bring the Divided 
 
 Parts into Union... 47 
 
 " To Promote Adhesions 47 
 
 Warts 54 
 
 Withers, Fistulous 43 
 
 Worms 85 
 
 " Treatment for 86 
 
 Weights and Measures 127 
 
VETERINARY PRACTICE, 
 
 BEING 
 
 AN ACCURATR AND DETAILED ACCOUNT 
 
 OP THE 
 
 farious diseases ta to^klj % porse is JiaMe, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 THE LATEST MODE OF TEEATMENT. 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED 
 
 AN APPENDIX, 
 
 CONTAINING VETERINARY PHARMACOPODIA AND VETERINARY 
 MATERIA MEDIC A. 
 
 W^RITTEN IN PLAIN ENGLISH, 
 BY 
 
 JAMES A. WILLIS, V. S. 
 
 •Ncto Yorfe: 
 I Thomas Holman, Printer, corner of Centre and White Streets. 
 
 1872. 
 

 
 
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