The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1872-11-22

AS a matter ofinterest to our farmer friends,
rs well as Others owners ofhorses and mules,
we publish the following article treating on
prevailing disease now affecting the equine
race, that we find in the Turf, Field and
Farm, a journal which is high authority
in all that concerns that noble animal, the
Horse
This catarrhal affection now prevalent to n
great extent among horses in certain sections
of the country first made its appearance in
Canada in mild and subsequently, in an ep-
idemic form.
The disease appears to he u form of infu-
enza, and is classed by veterinary authorities
under three heads, viz, the catarrhal, rheuma-
tic and the neutrality-suspicious. forms. The
disease, which has made such havoc in the
stables of Buffalo, Niagara and this city, is of
q catarrhal character, its first noticeable symp
toms being flow of tears from the eyes, a
watery discharge from the nose, and general
languor, followed by cough
In early stages the membranes of tho nose
are pale, of a leaden color, while the eyes
present reddish appearance. The veterina.
ries also report some cases which, wherever
they appear prove fatal, as commencing with
a chill, succeeded by general feverish con-
dition, manifested by heat of the mouth, men,
branes of the eyes and nose redeemed, pulse
frequent, though soft and easily compressed,
respiration quickened and sometimes labor
ious. AT this stage the bowels may be slug
gish, urinary organs inactive, and the dis
charge from the nose often assuming yellow
ish or greenish appearance.
In this city the disease has spread in every
direction, attacking young and old horses
alike, and with the same virulence in private
as in public stables. There is nothing alarm
ing in the disease if taken in hand promptly
and subjected to the following treatment as
prescribed by an eminent veterinary surgeon
in Rochester,
TREATMENT.
The patient should be excused from all Ia
Dor and allowed complete rest. The stables
should be clearly and well ventilated. Dis.
infectants may be useful, and in some stables
necessary. Any of the following will an.
swer: Carbolc acid, sulphate of iron or bro
mo chloralum. The patient should be prop
erly groomed and the nose and eyes frequent.
ly sponged with water, and the limbs, if cold,
bandaged. The drink should have the chill
slightly removed, but not enough to make it
warm and unpalatable. The diet should be
light and of laxative nature; say spout feed
or bran, wetted or scalded, with Il little salt
added. Hay in limited quantaties may be
allowed.
In regard to remedies, | wish to say that
heroic treatment should not be tolerated.
Blood-letting, cathartic nauseants and arte-
rial sedatives arc all of them either injurious
or uncalled for. Next, whatever medicines
are administered should not be given in the
form of drenches, as the animal is sure to
be thrown into u paroxysm OF coughing
the moment drench is attempted, and some
of the medicine will, in such event, be almost
sure TO find its way into the windpipe and
bronchial tubes thus inducing fatal bronchi-
tbs or pneumonia. Balls should not be given.
as they will cough back or out, and the irr.
liability of the throat will be increased in al
tempting to pass them over with the hand or
fingers Powders are well nigh useless, us
when mixed with the food the patient will
usually refuse both food and powders. Elec.
tuaries, syrups or pastes are the only forms
in which medicines may be safely and sue
cessfully administered in cases where the
throat is tender and irritable and coughing
easily induced
Saline medicines regard as the most use.
will answer: Chlorate of potash, muriate of
ammonia or hyposulphate of soda. AS an an
odyne to relieve the cough, fluid extract of
belladonna may be added. The proper dose
of either of these medicines may be rubbed
up with two or three ounces ofhoney or mo-.
lasses, and these poured in the mouth from a
small bottle or placed on the tongue with u
spoon. Given In this way the medicines will
be readily Tapped up and easily swallowed.
But little trouble is required to give it, and
no danger of getting any medicine in the
trachea will be incurred by this method.
About the throat and over the windpipe q
sharp, stimulating liniment should b. well
rubbed in. In cases that prove severe or are
complicated with other and more serious dis.
eases competent veterinarian should be en-
ployed