The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-12-05
The Horse Disease.

Such rapldlty throughout the country, mas Inauo
its appearance in Anderson, and we understand
that number of horses in town and country
are afflicted with the Epizootic, as it is called.
The disease has been announced for several
weeks in the adjacentcounties of Oconee, Pick
ems and Greenville and its appearance here
has been apprehended for some time. Of
course, as an epidemic disease, it will continue
to spread until such sections as are not yet cog
nizant of its presence will be included; and it
may properly be remarked, in this connection,
that the disease is not contagious, and there is
no danger-of the maladybeing contracted, sim
ply because they are exposed to its presence.
Hence, none of our country friends need be
apprehensiye of continuing their customary
intercourse with this or any other place where
the horses are down with the Epizootic. The
atmosphere is charged with the malaria, and
the epidemic cannot be confined to any given
locality.
The newspapers of the whole country for the
last month, have been fully occupied with the
discussion of the horse disease, which is known
by scores of ugly names, such as the Epizootic,
Equine Influenza, Typhoid Laryngitis, Hip
pozymetic, Horse Influenza, and the like, near
ly all of which are concocted by the various
writers on the subject. In a similar manner,
the remedies proposed for its alleviation and
cure are widely different, and would fill large
volume, if collected from every source. But it
seems to be generally conceded that, upon the
first appearance of the disease, and in truth
wherever it is apprehended, the animals must
not be overworked, and shopll be fed on soft
food, such as bran mash, carrots and salted hay
well blanketed and kept warm, and have
plenty of clean bedding. Every one should be
careful of the horses and mules until the dis
ease has disappeared entirely from the neigh
borhood. A gentleman was driving his mule
the other day, near Augusta, when the animal
suddenly fell dead. The mule had the epizoo-
tic in mild form, and there was no danger ap-
pretended from working it, but this should be
warning to owners not to use their animals
until perfect cure has been effected. Besides,
it has been observed in Northern cities that
animals worked too soon almost certainly re-
lapse into dropsy, which is the secondary stage
of the disease, and generally proves fatal
Another case is reported to show that the mat
ter from this disease is poison, where gentle
man with a flesh wound on the hand allowed
the virus to come in contact with the wounded
part; and his arm had to be amputated in few
DAYS. He subsequently grew worse and even
tually died. Other cases of similar character
have been reported. With these general re-
marks on the disease, we propose to give a re-
ceipt for its treatment, which is copied from
the Spirit of the Times, a newspaper of high
authority in sporting circles, and undoubtedly
we'll informed on the subject under considera-
tion:
Influenza is characterized by extreme pros
tration and debility. During the febrlle stage
of the disease the patient should be kept quiet
good nursing, and warm clothing with the
Greatest attention to feeding, are necessary:
The appetite, if capricious, must be tempted
with grass, carrots, bran mash, boiled !inseea,
skim milk, oat meal Cruel, or anything else
he will take If tonics are required, iodide OF
iron in doses of drachm, with half an ounce
each Of powdered gentian and ginger, mixed
with feed twice day or stimulant may be
administered as carbonate of ammonia,
one and half drachms; and ginger, four
drachms; syrup to form ball. In cases, how
ever. which are progressing favOrably, nature
had better be left to herself and tonics should
onlv be resorted to when the symptoms really
indicate the need of them. AS a rule, if the
animal can be induced to feed, we may hope
for the best; as the strength returns, little
led exercise may be given. The discharge OF
nurulent matter from the nose in the early
stage is a good sign and indicates that the dis
ease is becoming milder. Favorable progress
| is also marked by the urine being discharged
more frequently and in greater quantities, and
By the feces becoming soft instead OF being
voided in pellets. Aslight tendency to stock
in the legs is also favorable sign. 1t is one
of natures's means of giving relief and often
prevents the occurrence of mischief in impor-
tant internal organs. But in the latter stages
it is o symptom of the inability OF nature any
longer to continue the conflict with the disease.
IF the attack at this juncture does not take a
favorable turn, the symptoms will probably
become more intense. The membrane of the
nose may become mulberry red, and in very
bad cases the discharge may be tinged with
streaks of blood. The nose, the legs, the sheath
and under the belly become more or less swol-
len indeed, general tendency to edema ex-
lists. The animal may wander unconsciously
around his box and look at his sides and paw
occasionally with his fore feet, as though in
acute pain. Even spontaneous darrhea is to
be dreaded, and far more the superpurgation
which is likely to result from cathartics or
sedatives given to an animal in this malady.
The disease often assumes an intermittent form,
and the patient alternately gains strength for
wives, chronic cough, defective respiration,
rheumatism, or paralysis are often after.results
of such extreme developments of influenza.
When the patient is recovering from severe
attack of influenza we must. not expect any
great and rapid amendment The change will
be gradual. We must tax our patience and be
satisfied to look on and seek to aid nature in
the gradual restoration of the system. After
| frannnnt CHANGES slinht accessinns of fever the