Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1882-10-28
YOUR HORSE.
HOW TO TELL WHEN MANS BEST
FRIEND Is ILL.,
The Indications Of Sickness Infallible
signs-!he Standard Of Health
in the Horse.

| The progress of many diseases In the
horse is exceedingly rapid, owing to the
activity of his vital powers and great vas
cular development, predisposing to deteri-
Grafton of blood and active Inflammation,
and hence a knowledge of the incipient
stages is a matter of paramount necessity.
In general way, this is obtained by OBJ.
serving the difference between the signs OF
disease and the usual healthy appearance
of horses, or it may be from a particular
knowledge of the standard of health In
any individual case.
The digestive organs frequently give the
earliest notice of approaching disorder.
When there is partial loss OF appetite,
dullness and disiIclination to work, the
mouth hot and dry, and perhaps the legs
and ears colder than usual, these symptoms
require immediate attention, indicating, as
they plainly do, the approach of fever or
inflammation.
The condition of the skin and hair will
also afford true indication of the state of
the health in general way. "The horse
is unhealthy 10 his coat" is very CON-
mon expression, and this sign should never
be neglected. The hair of a healthy horse
is smooth and sleek, and the skin soft and
expansive. This is indicated by the touch,
as in cattle. When the system Is deranged,
the skin loses it's piiancY, its surface be-
comes hard and dry, and the hair, to use
another common expression, =" stares on
end" and is rough and rusty. These
symptoms accompany almost every consti.
rational disease, especially disorders Of the
digestive organs. The sympathy existing
between the skin and alimentary canal is
very considerable, and it follows almost in
every case, that when either OF these be.
come affected, the other takes on sympa-
thetic arrangement.
The excretions from the bowels also fur.
nish early signs OF approaching disease.
The quality of the excretions supplies
symptoms, in regard TO the color and con-
sistence, which often lead to knowledge
of the nature of the disorder in the alimen.
tary canal, or in the system. When the
excavations consist of undigested food, and
particularly if coated with mucus, it is
certain sign Of disturbance in the digestive
organs. Hard, dark. colored dung, evacu.
ated in small quantities, is also sign of
disordered digestion, arising from defective
secretions. When the dung is excessive in
quantity or liquidity, it constitutes diar-
rhea and the opposite condition, that is,
costiveness, is also an important symptom
in many diseases, indicating defective Sc.
erection of bile.
The urinary organs likewise furnish
symptoms of Importance, not only of dis.
case of the parts connected with it, but
with disorders, being the chief emunctory
through which etfete or offending matters
are discharged from the blood. The urine
voided after the process of digestion is
completed in healty horse has pale
amber color, possessing pungent odor
whilst that voided soon after drinking
quantity of water is limpid and colorless.
In cases of Inflammation of the kidneys,
the urine is sparingly discharged, high col
ored, and having the elements of blood
mixed with it. When the quantity of urine
is small, it is usually high colored, and
this tint charscterizes an inhammatory
state of the system. In diabetes, or pro-
fuse stating, the urine is nearly colorless
and odorless, and discharged in immense
quantities. In disordered action of the
digestive organs, the urine has frequently
a turbid appearance and sometimes sedi.
mentary.
The lining membrane of the septum
of the nose, in regard to its color, aiso
affords an indication of Importance, and
being Immediately continuous with the
membrane of che respiratory organs, if
inflammation be present there, the changes
will be quickly perceived. A horse in
health, and at rest, will exhibit a pale,
pink .colored membrane an increasing
blush of red indicates slight degree of in.
flammatory action /; and an intense, deep
red indicates Inflammation of an acute
character.
The state of respiration gives early no.
tice OF approaching disease. Quickness of
breathing occurs almost simultaneously
with quickness of circulation. The resp.
ration in health is shown by the quiet,
uniform and scarcely perceptible motion of
the TANKS, at the rate OF eignt or ten
breathings in a minute. There are few
diseases IN horses IN which the respiratory
organs remain undisturbei, and is forms a
primary and leading symptom.
The state OF the pulse is the surest IL
dication of any as TO the degree of in.
hammatory action in the system. The
heart of healthy horse, in state of
rest, beats about thirty. six strokes in a
minute; and when it rises to forty-tive or
fifty times, proper precautions should be
taken to check the coming disease. All
these signs have their value in making
known the approach of disease and when
any of them make their appearance, the
horse requires more than ordinary care and
watchfulness. Inattention at such times
is the chief and principal cause of SO many
fatal cases occurring among horses. An.
other cause for many Losses is, that when
the sick animal is attended to, it is gener-
ally done by the blacksmith. the common
" boss doctor, or some similar ignorant
pretender to the veterinary art, and more
horses are lost either in the hands of such
men, or by the farmers indiscriminate re.
sort to the drug shop, than from the natu-
raj operation of the disease itself.