The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-04-27

! This aggravating and serious disease among
the horses seems to be more or less prevalen
in every section of the county prominent
horseman told us the other day that none but
the very careful observer could form any idea
of the extent of the disease throughout the
county and elsewhere So far the effects have
not been 50 serious, the type of the malady, as
developed, being mild and yielding to careful
treatment. The trouble is that many horses
are affected before their owners are aware OF
it, and it frequently occurs that the time lost
in treating the disease when 1t first appears,
cannot readily be made up. Last week our
Parnassus correspondent, in noticing the APP
pearance of the "Pink eye" in that neighbor-
hood, asked us to give some particulars Of the
disease and its treatment. We publish below
an article taken from the New York Sun CIV
ing an account of the indications of the "Pink
Suns article is as follows
The name pink eye has in some way been
given to and is now very generally used TO des-
lgnate severe form of typhoid influenza This
influenza is nothing new, but appears almost
CNCJ| year W ii SIedteT VI itSS CAICDb, dIIu Will
various degrees of severity, SON etimes so
slightly as to be scarcely noticed, and again
as an epizooty, causing much trouble and
alarm. The most marked instances of its ap-
pearance that we remember were in 1S54'5
again in 1879, and more recently. The symp-
toms are generally discharges of watery mu-
cOus from the nostrils, and matter collecting
in the inner corner of the eyes, which become
watery The eyelids swell and puff up, and
the innr side has reddish or pink color,
from Which the name pink eye. When the
skin and mouth show increase in temperature,
there is usually great prostration, weak pulse,
and staggering walk, with sometimes increased
respiration, cough, and soreness of throat.
The feet become hot, and appear as in severe
cases of founder. The legs swell, and on be-
ing pressed with the finger, the skin does not
at once resume its natural place. Sometimes
paralysis is seen in the hinder parts, and vari-
Gus other symptoms are discovered. Not, it
must be remembered, all at one time or in the
same animal. The difference in the way the
disease affects different animals makes it one
of the most difficult to Diagnose; but we have
endeavored to so describe it that some at least
may discover where there is a real case of pink
eye, for it is well known that when once dis
ease OF this character gets in neighborhood,
almost every trouble horse flesh is heir to is
charged to it.
AS regards the treatment of pink eye, it will
be readily seen that different conditions re-
qure different care. In most cases there will
be predisposition to stomach troubles or
collie. This must be guarded against in the
feeding, and nothing given but the best quail
ty of food. The bowels must be kept in ac-
ton by gentle purgatives, if need be. Careful
grooming and generally good attention will
serve to keep the disease in check. The horse
should be kept warm, and the legs, if inclined
to swell, be bathed in warm or hot water con-
tanning some Ponds Extract or arnica. The
head should be kept cool to prevent the trouble
going to the brain, and the stable should be
well aired and clean, but dark. DR.. Jennings,
who is considered good authority, advises as
follows: "1n ordinary cases tonics and stimu-
lants are called for. In cases where the fever
runs high, give the following. Tartrate OF an
timony and nitrate of potassa, each one
drachm, mixed, give night and morning.
When the fever is broken, tonics and stimu
lants are called tor. The following may be
used in ordinary cases with good effect: Gen
tian root and nitrate of pOtassa, each one
ounce Jamaica ginger, halt an ounce; fenu-
greek or anise seed, six drachms-pulverize,
mix and divide in four parts give one night
and morning. When there is dropsical swell
ing OF the legs, half an ounce OF sulphate of
iron may be added to the above with good eff
feet. If the lungs are involved, give the fol-
lowing Aconite root in tincture, with tincture
of belladonna, one part each water, two parts
dose one teaspoonful every three hours. If
the liver is affected, which may be known by
the yellow tinge of the mucous membrane,
dung small and hard, horse lying on his side,
and occasionally looking at his side as if in
pain, 18th occasional fits of uneasiness, give
Barbados aloes, three drachms; calomel and
pulverized dgitalis, each half drachm, made
into ball with molasses. This must not be
repeated. When there is a soreness of the
throat, blisters should be applied the fly bis
ter made thin with turpentine answers a good
purpose. The animal should be placed in
box STALL well Uttered with straw and kept
clean. AS pure an atmosphere as possible is
necessary. The contaminated air of badly
ventilated stable retards or defeats restoration
to health"