Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-10-30
Catarrhal Epidemic Among ROrses.

~ 40LEN1a
A disease known as epozootic infiuen-
"a has for some time been raging among
the horses in Canada, and has at last
made its appearance in nearly all the
Eastern, Western and Middle States.
In New York city alone. nearly twenty
thousand horses have been Frustrated
with it within the past week. There has
been no time to take any necessary pre-
cautions, as the contagious qualities of
the disease are so violent thar scarcely
were the first symptoms of it apparent
before it had spread throughout the
country. Although there are differen-
ces of opinion as to the exact nature of.
the disease, it is generally conceded to
be a catarrhal affection. 1t is generally
confined to stables where numbers of
horses are together, although we hear of
many isolated cases.
The atmosphere seems impregnated
with the germs of this equine scourge,
and the most disastrous results follow In
its wake. In many of the larger cities
business is paralyzed; street railroad
companies are forced to discontinue bus
mess; no omnibusses are in attendance
upon trains; livery stable and express
companies have suspended; and, in
fact, all businesses requiring that horse
power be brought into requisition in
their prosecution, are for the time being
unavoidably suspended.
The disease has made its appearance
in Cleveland, and horse owners are con-
sequently considerably exercised over
the matter, although as yet very few
fatal cases are reported anywhere. The
early symptoms of tie disease are said
to be a hacking cough, with general
duIlness and an indisposition to move,
cold legs and ears, with a watery dis
charge from the nostrils. At first the
nasal membrane is pale, but as the dis
ease advances becomes highly colored,
and the mucous discharge changes to a
greenish or yellow color and the pulse
becomes more rapid. As Oon as these
symptoms appear he's animal should be
kept warm in the stable by blanketing.
The following from an eminent veter-
mary surgeon contains what have prov
to be valuable suggestions for the
treatment of horses suffering from the
endemic. Should the disease make its
appearance in this locality, and there is
every reason to fear it may, the append
ed advice may be OF value to owners of
horses:
The stable should be well ventilated,
the horses blanketed and chloride of
lime s%prinkled through the stable every
morning. The nOstrils should be
sponged out two or three times a day, if
the mucous adheres thereto. The food
should consist of bran with a little oats,
and a moderate quantity of hay. If the
are c~ostive, a half pint of raw lin
seed oil may be given; but it is probable
hat the mash will cause sufficient relax
alton.
Prescription No. 2 given b~elow)should
be administered every morning and
If the throat should be sore
which can be ascertained by the pres
ure of the hand upon the larynX-abOut
.wo tablespoOnfuls of prescription No. l
also given below should be rubbed in.
So long as the disease is confined to the
there is but very little danger,
1ut should it descend to the lungs
which will be indicated, by the contin-
led standing up of the animal, cold ex- :
remities and labored breathing-a half
VI AAASldAo cnOuAu 10 AlAAEu Will |
-wo ounces of %turpentine and water to
he consistency of thick cream, and the
mixture rubbed well in behind the fore {
egs or ovel the region of the lungs. The 8
egs should be bsndaged if cold. If the
should be more than fo~rty-fve per {
fifteen drops of Trimmings F,
of aconite should be given eve
Y two hours, and if the breathing still !
continues labored and the pulse grows
more rapid, apply the mustard again, !
md give one and a half drachms of calo- {
mel for two mornings. The following
the prescriptions referred to:
Prescription Nc. 1.-Linseed oil, II
,unces; turpentine, II ounces; liquor
ammonia fort, l ounce. Mix all together |
n a four ounce bottle and apply to the {
hroat, if you think it necessary to do
{
Prescription No. Nitrate potash, II 8
Iunces; tartarized antimcny, II ounces; (
! ounce. Pulverize all togeth- q
T and make twelve powders ; give one {
morning and night. :
P. S.-If they are not very bad you
night omit the last ingredient, namely,
{