The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1882-01-20
Pinkeye.

"Pinkeye is not a scientific term an |
Piled by veterinary surgeons. as they
recognize 1t rs a severe form of typhoid
influenza. The disease has received the
popular name of ''pinkeye" for the reason
OF the rcdness of the external coat of
the eye, and lining of the eyelids. Its
cause Is unknown. The symptoms vary
in different localities. Some animals,
from constitutional weakness or peculiar
condition of the system, are more sus-
ceptible to the disease than other ami.
mails in the same locations and surround
ed by like influences. II is said not TO
be a new disease, as it was prevalent
among horses in this country in 1854 and
1865. The symptoms of the disease are
so variable, that there are great variety
OF opinions among veterinary surgeons
as to cause and treatment. The general
symptoms are: "Slight watery or thin
mucous discharges from the nostrils. ewes
watery, with matter collecting in the in
ner corner; eye-lids swollen and puffy,
the membrane on the inner side present
ing yellowish red color; appetite in
most cases lost or suspended: dull ap-
pearance OF the countenance; in some
cases mouth hot, with corresponding
increase of temperature of the skin; in
most cases there is great prostration of
strength, as shown in the staggering
gait, with quick, small and weak
pulse; heart sometimes violently agita-
ted, and respiration increased. Some
times there is cough, accompanied with
a sore throat. Not all of the SYMPTOMS
are prevalent in any one case. The dis
ease has not been very fatal, except in
cases OF bad treatment, hard work and
exposure to cold and storms. Ordinarily
the disease yields to proper treatment and
careful nursing. In fact, careful nursing
is the most important agency in the re-
covery OF man or animals. Not having
much faith in our own skill nor in the
hundreds OF ''hoss doctors" which can
be found all over the country, who have
no acquaintance with the nature of med
icines, or the many diseases of the horse,
we are reluctant to prescribe medicines,
or recommend implicit confidence in 9th
ers, unless they are accredited veterinary
surgeons. But we annex the recon-
mendations of Professor Robert Jennings,
author of "The Horse and its Diseases. -
and several other standard veterinary
works. He says: When the services of
veterinary surgeon can be had, it is
safer to secure his services, as a mistake
in the character of the disease NAV
prove fatal to the animal and loss to the
owner. 1t is difficult to lay down a
course OF medication in adsease present
ing so many complications as this dis
ease does at the present time. In ordi-
nary cases tonics and stimulants are
called for. In cases where the fever
runs thigh, give the following: Tartrate
of antimony and nitrate of potassa, of
each, one drachm mix both together,
and give night and morning. When
the fever is broken, tonics and stimulants
are called for. The following may be
used in ordinary cases with good effect :
Gentian root, pulverized, and nitrate of
potassa, each, one ounce Jamaica GIN
ger, pulverized, half an ounce; fenu-
greek or anise seed, pulverized, six
drachms; mix and divide in four parts,
give one night and morning. When
there is dropsical swelling of the legs,
half an ounce of sulphate of iron may
be added to the above with good effect.
1t 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 affect
ed, which may be known by the yellow
tinge of the mucuous membrane, dung
small and hard, horse lying on his side,
and occasionally looking at his side as if
in pain, with occasional fits of uneasi-
mess, give Barbados aloes, three
drachms, calomel and pulverized digital
is, of each half drachm; make a ball
with molasses. This must not be repeat
ed. When there is soreness of the throat
blisters should be applied; the fly blister,
made thin with turpentine, answers
good purpose. The animal should be
placed in box stall, well Uttered with
straw, and kept clean; as pure atmos
phere as possible is necessary; the con-
taminated air of badly ventilated stable
retards or defeats restoration to health.
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