The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-11-07
Diagnosis Of the Horse Disease.

DR.. A, Liantard, of New York, in q
letter to DIR. r. III. james, the Sanitary
Inspector, writes as follows:
The Canada, Rochester, or new horse
disease, as it is called, is not new dis
ease-it is nothing else bat influenza,
catarrhal fever, epidemique laryngite,
typhoide laryngite of the French, an af-
fection which we have had and most
likely will have again at different periods.
At first characterized by catarrhal in
fammstion of the air passages, it mani
tests itself at present by the symptoms of
mild laryngitis, and this will, if properly
treated, soon yield to treatment. If, on
the contrary, affected animals are kept at
work and exposed to atmospheric infu-
ences, the disease will progress and seri-
GUS if not fatal complications of the
lungs will take place. The etiology of
the disease is far from being to-day
thoroughly understood; we, however,
know it to be more frequent in the spring
or fall of the year, and it is said to be
most dangerous during the prevalence of
easterly winds. The symptoms will vary
according to the different stages Of the
affection, from a slight catarrhal affec-
ton of the larynx to positive congestion
of the lungs ALL however, being prin-
cipally characterized by general debility,
loss of appetite, cough, discharge at the
nose, at the eyes, weak pulse, increased
temperature, weakness of the regulatory
apparatus exhibited by the condition of
the pulse. which is soft and compressible,
sometimes so weak that it is hardly per-
ceptlble, and in many cases by the yell
low appearance of the visible mucous
membranes, especially that of the eye.
The diagnosis of the disease can be easily
made, and no we'll educated veterinarians
will have difficulty in recognizing, treat
ing, and, in many instances, mastering it.
The prognosis is not generally serious,
especially if the disease is taken at the
onset and the animal placed at once under
proper treatment But as the disease is
in many cases insiduous in its course, it
requires close watching. As to the treat
ment, 1t is certain that the conditions of
the patients do not indicate blood letting,
purgatives, arterial sedatives, setons, etc.
Especially debilitating in its nature, the
veterinarian will, while attending to the
local symptoms of laryngitis by anodine,
cough mixtures, or pastes, mild counter
irritants of the throat, such as liniment,
mustard applications, and in some cases
blister, fumigations of boiling water, of
decoctions of poppy-heads, or others of
the kind, watch the general condition Of
his patient, its loss of appetite, of gen.
eral strength and soon he will be obliged
to combine this treatment with the ad-
ministration of stimulaRts, and none
will prove more beneficial than the car
| Donate of ammonia mixed with camphor.
These are diffusive stimulants, which in
connection with vegetable tonics will
produce the most magnificent result, if
administered in the shape of pills four
or six times a day as the case may re-
quire. In many cases small doses OF
diuretics of nitrate of potash in the
drinks or in rectal injections have as.
sisted in allaying the febrile symptoms
Should the complications OF the trachea
bronchial tubes, or of the lungs take
place, more active treatment will suggest
itself, as by the use of more powerful
counter-irritants upon the sides of the
chest or along the trachea. There is in
the treatment of the present epidemic q
very essential point to take into con-
sideration, and which relates to the hy-
gienic attendance of the affected animals
Rest as soon as affected is essential, as, il
the animal is kept at work, the disease
will progress, and may prove fatal in 6
few hours. This is a part of the treat.
ment think veterinarians ought to in.
sist upon very firmly Good hygiene by
proper and comfortable temperature O
the stables; blanketing according to the
condition of the ambient atmosphere
bandaging of the extremities after goot
hand-rubbing. Wiping of the nostril
with vinegar and water is also recon-
mended. Feeding, of course, require
much attention and careful handling
warm gruels, scalded mashes, and oat
mixed with flax In few case
roots, carrots, turnips, or fruits, apples
these to be given according to the condi
ton of the bowels. would also highl,
recommend proper ventilation, cleanin!
of the stables of manure-pits, white
washing of the stables, and the free US
of disinfectants.