The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1872-11-14
The Epidemic Among Horses.

A sudden calamity has fallen upon the
horses of the northern part of the Ameri-
can continent, by which nearly the whole
of them are rendered temporarily use
less. The virulence of the complaint is
such that, within two days, mere than
half the horses of New York and its su-
burbs are stricken, and require rest and
treatment. Hack-stands are deserted,
travel is impeded, labor is suspended,
and an almost Sabbath like stiffness falls
upon the ordinarily crowded and noisy
streets. Fortunately the nature of this
attack is not SO serious as it would seem
to be, and only its singularity gives rise
to apprehensions which its character
does not warrant. In other countries,
especially in England, its occurrence
under certain atmospheric conditions is
looked upon as a matter of course, and
familiarity, although it may not exactly
breed contempt, nevertheless prevents
either astonishment or apprehension. 1t
is neither directly serious nor necessarily
fatal to any subject, unless complications
produce dangerous secondary effects. 1t
Is a catarrhal fever, which, being caused
by conditions which are general, affects
at one and the same time the animals of
whole district, and often of districts
comparatively distant from each other.
1t is not contagious. 1t readily yields to
proper treatment Rest and careful
nursing and palliatives effect an easy
cure. The premonitory symptoms are
general istlessness, dropping head, an
excessive secretion of tears, discharge
from the nose, at first thin and serous
afterwards thick, like pus; q cough
which rapidly increases in severity until
it is accompanied by bleeding from the
nose; loss of appetite and great weak
ness, with cold-sweats and fever. The
treatment should be immediate if rapid
recovery is desired. Work should be sus-
pended at the first appearance of the
symptoms. Warm demulcent drinks,
such as faxseed-tea, should be given.
Steaming the nostrils and head by means
of bag of scalded bran suspended be-
meath the nose; warm, dry bedding and
blanketing, and the production of a state
OF perspiration as soon as possible after
attack, are necessary. The moment
healthy perspiration can be induced, a
cure is commenced. The stables should
be disinfected and well ventilated, but
no currents of air should be permitted
to blow upon the patient. Warm water,
copiously applied to the feet and legs,
which should afterwards be rubbedquite
dry with coarse woolen cloths, is useful
as is also similar friction over the whole
body. Medicine should not be admins
tered unless by careful and competent
surgeon. The soreness of the throat and
accreennent, ac.o disinrlination n swsllGW IF.
way to the lungs, with fatal effect. Mild
irritants, such as mustard or ammonia,
rubbed on the throet, relieve the sore
ness, and tar-water for drink is valu-
able help. Brsn-mashes or scalded oats,
with little hay, should be fed. With
such gentle treatment and careful nurs-
ing, and cautious return to work and
higher feed, nothing more serious than
few days suspension of work is to be
dreaded. 1t is probable that horned
stock, sheep, and pigs may be affected, in
which case treatment is needed similar
to that above described.