Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1873-03-18
THE RPIzooriC.

~
EDITOR News The word epizo-
otto, which Is derived from the Greek,
indicates diseases afiicting quadru-
peds. but particularly the horse. ETY.
mologicahy considered, 1t may mean
any acute, or even chronic but wide
spread disease among the lower AMI
mails. I'd
The present disease has assumed
alarming proportions, and indeed,
alarming features, for there are many
features In the majority Of cases which
lead to at least q doubtful prognosis.
This malady presents symptoms which
are common to nearly all cases Of II,
while there are some symptoms which
are not go common, and hence In ra-
tionally treating these animals we
must be guided by careful indiyiduali-
Iation. 1t Is both safe and reasonable
to declare that there Is no common
"panacea" for this disease. A careful
examination Of each individual case.
and the application Of the carefully
selected remedy, If properly admins
tered, will lead to success, and save
most all afflicted animals. We are
now plainly taught our great depend
ence upon the horse and OK, and the
great need Of giving them kind and
humane treatment.
This is an infiammatory disease
which, 90 far as any knowledge ex-
tends, iuvades the sohneiderian or pit
ultary membrane Of the nasal fass@
and It's cavities, the mucous membrane
of the larynx and trachea, and Of the
bronchia. The number and intensity
OF the symptoms keep pace with the
extension and progress Of the lesion,
and We find many degrees Of the same
malady from a mild congestion Of the
membranes involved, up to an active
inflammation with solution Of the COIL
tinuity of the times. 1t Is an acute
equine coryza. Mismanagement and
exposure frequently bring complies
tions and extensions Of the lesion, and
we frequently find capillary bronchitis
and pneumonia s%upsrvening. lnstan-
ces are recorded Of pulmonary or he
patio vomica, and of assesses In the
hoofs. Badly treated animals exhibit
dropsical conditions. l have seen a
horse with enormously swollen legs.
but it has recovered under careful
treatment.
Another occasional complication Is
paralysis Of the locomotive organs. and
rheumatism. The last two conditions
are generally, so far as we can account
for them, metastatic. The discharges
vary from thin transparent mucus, In
small quantities, to thick. white, yell
lew, greenish yellow, reddish and
bloody, with often broad, chunky, and
irregular yellow, or cheese-like mass
es. The quantity discharged is often
enormous, completely plastering the
manger and filling the nostrils. At
times the odor Is very offensive, though.
/ believe rarely so. The sense Of smell
IL In aggravated cases blunted. and at
times lost altogether. Cough Is, from
tho first, q prominent symptom, and Is
In most cases the first noticed; 1t Is
dry at first, but gradually grows
looser, but more decided. The sni-
mails frequently shake their heads,
stretch OUT the neck and back, or step
up, seemingly to avoid pain before and
during a tit Of coughing.
In light cases the animals eat and
drink nearly as usual, but In aggra-
waited ones they refuse food, are disin-
ollned to move, look detected, grow
thin, and are often cross. The tongue
Is hot, coated yellow or white, and is
broad and fiabby. The pulse varies
from IS to go per minute, and respira-
ton hurried. particularly on even light
exertion. The animal perspires cas-
lily. and coughs worse when working;
the urino Is scanty, frequently passed,
and leaves a strong ammoniacal odor.
When bronchitis or pneumonia follow,
or there are complications, the horse
frequently stands with his fore feet
braced and widely separated ; lie shows
tremor, seems anxious, and has dysp-
nGa, with all the ordinary physical
signs found In the human subject under
similar circumstances.
In the majority Of cases the progno-
sis Is favorable. Pneumonia compli-
cations are very grave, though not nc
cessarily fatal. The great apprehen-
sion is that a large number Of cases
will drop of within a year or less from
tubercular or other abnormal deposit
In the air passages, or from chronic
congestion OF the bronchial mucus
membrane. Ozoens and CHAMBERS ex-
ist already, and it Is to be feared will
continue 20 exist until the poor ami
mails are worn out through 1t. Much
Of the future welfare Of these eX-
tremely valuable animals will depend
upon their exemption from work and
exposure for weeks.
Treatment. = Mild cases need rest
only, with a warm, light and dry sta
BILE. The hangers should be thor
oughly cleanssd, as we'll as the stall
and barn generally. The animals
should be 6lanketed and kept warm.
The feed should be wet, 10 that no
dust can be inhaled. | think it Is a
good plan to lead the animals out, but
not out Of q walk, and whens this Is
done the blankets may be removed.
Aggravated cases need careful no.
meopathic trsatment-none Other. Un-
doubtedly the ordinary treatment ofthe
poor horses has been not only unscien-
tiflc, but positively Injurious. The
animals have had powerful caustic aud
Irritating infectious forced into the ma
sal fossn, have been roweled, bled,
blistered, and been obliged to inhale
the vapor Of nitric acid, iodine. bro
mine, etc. Many poor animals have
been exposed to storms, cold winds,
and to excessive labor while suffering
from the worst form Of this dlstempeE
It Is highly probable that many horses
will die within six months or a year,
on account Of the severe and improper
treatment they have received.
As the horse or other animal affected
cannot let US know by word how 1t
feels, we have to depend upon the de-
veloping symptoms mainly aud here