Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1875-11-02
agricultural,
The Horse Disease.

Just now, when the epizoOtic disease or
horse influenza is again on It's travels
among US, the following, from one Of the
best English agricultural magazines, will
be interesting to our readers. We give It
with more freedom than we ought to DO
because il commends itself TO our Judg-
ment, after experience with the writer's
own horses-during the time whea the cpl
demic first appeared
Influenza is distinguished from COM
mon cold by severai peculiarities which
are worth special notice but 1t Is neces-
sary to start with the premise that IN pop
ular language the two forms Of disease
are constantly COMPOUNDED it Is, in fact,
quite sufficient for colds and coughs to be
very prevalent in a dist let, to give rise
10 TIE impression that an outbreak OF IN
fuenza has occur 4. One uen StakabIe
character of influenza Is its tendency 20
assume different types at different seasons.
Sometimes the catarrhal form Is universal
at others the digestive organs are priucl-
pally affected, and the malady takes the
shape Of bilious fever Rheumatic III
fammAtion of the Joints Is an occasional
specially Of the disease, and sometimes
extentive suppuratiou occurs IN the are
olar tissue Of various parts Of the body,
causing deep-Seated Assesses. which gen
orally end fatally.
The most serious aspect Of influenza Is
that in which the blood becomes charged
with effete products. In these cases the
bloody corpuscleS are broken up, and put
reflective fermentation, attended with the
formation OF bacteria and vibrionS takes
place. This form Of disease, however, l.
always more or less dependent on bad
drainage or bad quality Of food and
water. Influenza aS II most commonly ap-
peares Is a catarrhal fever, attended from
the frs, with great pro>tration, and in this
particular it Is distinguished from an or
binary cold, in which debility never oc-
ours until the animal has suffered severe.
ly and continuously for some time. The
discovery OF the peculiar character Of the
specific disease is of the utmost impor-
lance, because the treatment will differ
materially from that which NAV be adopt
ed in common colds, chiefly in the greater
degree Of attention which will be paid
TO the animal and the careful avoidance
Of all causes which may tend to increase
the weakness.
symptoms Of the ordinary type Of III
fuenza are sufficiently marked, even in the
early stage, 10 render the detection Of the
disease comparatively easy; the horse Is
dull and languid the eyehds droop, and
frequently a watery discharge issues from
the corner Of the eyes. Sometimes swell
ings Of the eyelids and nostrils is the first
stage Of illness which is perceived. The
appetite Is either lost entirely or is very
irregular, the horse walks with difficulty.
and often staggers from side to side. If
the digestive organs are affected. the oom-
plicatiou will be indicated by a yellow
tinge Of the mucous membranes Of the
mouth and eyes (; attacks Of abdominal
pain will show that intestines are impli-
Gated ia the disease. Rheumatic swell
ings are generally sL.ORg the seqaale Of
influenza, and owing 70 the pain and lame
ness which they occasion, they materially
retard the animals recovery. The treat
ment Of influenza of the ordinary kind
may be summed up in the short sentence
good nursing.
The sick horse should be placed IN a
good box, well ventilated. protected N
extremes Of temperature. Soft food
mashes and green prOyender-is desirable
and water may be allowed in any quaint.
ties. Medicines are Of comparatively
slight consequence in the early stage Of
disease, and no sctive remedies should be
gwen without the sanction of the veteriu-
AIRY surgeon, 10 whose care the horse should
be consigned, If the disease does not pro-
grsss faVorably under the system of care
ful nursing The complications in influenza
being, "a has been stated 30 numerous, it
is difficult for the amateur TO carry into
effect any system Of medical treatment
without running a great risk Of doing
mischief, from want Of knowing the pre-
else nature OF the disease for which il is
TO be used. So long as the affection re-
mains in the form OF simple catarrhal few
er, the measures which have been suggest
ed in regard to diet, with the application
OF mustard, or ammonia liniment TO the
throat and chest, and the administration
of simple feyery medicines, will be suffci-
lent. Anything beyond this domestic
treatment the farmer will DO well to en-
trust to competent hands.
About year is gained by putting
in cuttings Of currants and gOoseberries
now, instead Of next spring. Make cut
tings six inches long, of this years growth
set four inches apart, in rows, leaving one
IL L.. IL L. Il q :.