American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-11-13
The Horse Disease.

same as that which passed over the
country in 1872. 1t is manifestly n Ca
tarrhal fever or influenza, depending
upon some peculiar atmospheric intlu-
ence, as is Shown by its appearance in
various parts of the country almost
simultaneously. 1t attacks horses in all
conditions. old anu young, fat and lean
alike. and while it first appears in our
larger cities, it eventually ihvades
private stables, however secluded or
far removed from the more densely set
tied regions of country. The present
outbreak of this horse disease is said to
be less severe than that Of eight years
ago, but our farmers should neverthe-
less be prepared for its appearance in
their stables. 1t is not, upon the
whole, a dangerous disease, but very
troublesome one, as the animals affected
are pretty certain to be unfit for work
for several days or weeks. The expe-
rienccs obtained during its prevalence
in 1872 now become valuable, and can
be put to practical use.
The symptoms are a cough, rum
ming at the nose. and general fever,
with strong disinclination for food.
In some instances the disease is ushered
in with a chill. In its early stages the
membranes of the nose will be found
pale or of a leaden color. and those of
the eyes of a reddish or yellowish color.
AS soon as these symptoms are OBJ
served, and the animal. to use COM
mon phrase. is loft his feed" place
him in a warm but well-ventilated
stable, and wrap him in a blanket, es-
pecially if the weather is cold. Sponge
out the nostrils frequently with warm
water. and if the legs are cold band
age them with wooden cloths. Tho
water given to drink should be slightly
warmed, but not hot enough to make
it upalatable. The diet should be
light and of laxative nature-ground
feed, warm bran masheS, roots of va
rious kinds, but especially carrots, with
a little salt added. Grooming should
not be neglected, as this induces circu-
lation of the blood through the limbs
and near the skin. Outward applica-
tons of remedies are sometimes quite
beneficial, especially to the throat and
under jaw. Almost any of the ordinary
ammoniacal liniments will answer, if
well rubbed in between the bones of
the lower jaw and down a foot or more
on the throat If liniment cannot be
readily procured, use spirits of turpen-
tine, but not enough to cause blister
or remove the hair. The most that is
required or expected by outward appli-
cations is to produce kind of counter
irritation. Disinfectants should be used
to prevent the spread of the disease,
and also as relief to the animals al
ready suffering from it. Carbolic acid
or bromo chloralum is excellent for
sprinkling the floor of the stables. The
fumes of burning sulphur are also an
excellent disinfectant, but they should
not be made too strongi in close stable,
as injury might result.
OF internal remedies there is a long
list, but we will name only few of the
most simple and easily procured. Va
rious preparations of potash have been
used successfully. Six drachms of
bromide of potassium two OF three
times day, dissolved in a bran mash,
was used by physician in Buffalo in
1872 with excellent results. No other
medicine was given, and the above for
only three or four DAYS. Some of the
veterinarians in this city used the fol-
lowing: Chlorate of potash, nitrate of
potash, and licorice powder in equal
parts, mixed, and tablespoonful of the
composition given daily in the animals
food. If he refuses all kinds Of. food,
as often happens. then little Of the
powder may be placed on the base of
tongue several times day until he is
relieved.
When the cough is very severe, mus
tard applications may be applied to the
throat, and linseed tea given to drink.
In some cases steaming the nose, by
putting vinegar on hot brick or stone
in bag and compelling the animal to
inhale the steam, will afford relief when
the nostrils are much swollen or OBJ
structed. Perhaps the most simple
remedy of all, although it may not be
efficacious in all cases, is India curry
powder, recommended in the following
Communication published in the Daily
Sun of October Z:
To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN: SIR: One of
cure of the horse distemper now prevalent is
India curry powder. A dose of a tenspoonful
on the tongue of the animal, morning and
If we'll 1t wards or the disease; or II i'll, it re-
stores the appetite and tones up the system Sc
come the debility Of tho disease. The Sun
published this prescription eight years ago as
from an East Indian cavalry h oiieer err, tried
success In every instance it restored the lost
appetite of the sick, and with diet of scaid,
cd oats, apples, carrots, or rutabagaS. and
cleansing Of the nostrils by frequent washings
with CASTLE soap and tepid water, the disease
pursued the same course of treatment met
with equal success, the recovery being rapid
and permanent In every case.
But in all cases careful nursing, keep
ing the animal out of the cold and wet,
and giving him perfect rest until a cure
is effected, are as important as medi-
cincs, and usually more important.
There are many persons who, in at
tempting to doctor their animals, are SO
anxious to afford relief that they COM
NIT the very common error of doing too
much. They will commence with what
may be called the heroic treatment,
when nothing of the kind is necessary;
in fact, with this horse epidemic, it is
more injurious than beneficial. OF all
things avoid bleeding, which would only
further reduce the strength of the ami
NAL and lessen his chances of a speedy
recovery. Many ignorant country
veterinarians still cling to the old prac.
tice of bleeding horses for every little
ailment; hence this caution. Neither
should cathartic nauseants, severe bis
terings, strong purgatives, tartar emet-
ic, belladonna, or other powerful drugs
be given, as these will do more harm
than good. Avoid all nostrums and
complex mixtures which quacks may
recommend as specifics for this or any
other disease. CIR. NJ Y. Sun.
An IncredulOus Editor.
The London correspondent of the