The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-08-09
stPinkeYe.0


influences, and mode of living in the
human family; and changes in feeding,
stable architecture and the manner of
work among animals. / am inclined to
look upon ''pinkeyen as q form of cpl
demic catarrhal fever, sometimes called
distemper, which is very common
among horses. The ''epizootic, so
called, which prevailed so extensively
about 1872, was another form OF
the catarrhal fever, and was SO
treated by me with great success.
The influenza or distempers as it is
commonly called, is singularly preya-
lent in some seasons, and although it ex-
hibits general characters in common,
yet the epidemic of one year will be
marked with some particular symptoms
which will not appear in the epidemic
of the next. Horses of large cities and
crowded towns are more obnoxious to
it than thosa of the country; and in the
country those are most liable TO be at
tackled which are most confined. 1t has
been disputed whether it be contagious
or not, and both the negative and af-
firmative may be maintained with some
show of reason. In some sections it
exhibits little or no contagious charac-
ter; in others it is apparently infectious,
particularly among young horses.
1t is of great consequence to distin-
guish this complaint from pneumonia
or Inflammation of the lungs; for If
bleeding and other parts of the deplex-
i've system, which are usual in pneumo-
MIA, be used in this affection, the con-
sequences are either fatal or else some
thing serious is left behind most likely
dropsy of the chest. 1t must be re-
membered that pneumonia is disease
depending on excessive excitement,
while catarrhal fever is dependent upon
an entirely opposite condition. In proof
of this l will state that most of the
deaths from the epidemic of 1872, that
became acquainted with, cot'ld be di-
rectly traced to the injudiciC IS use of
bleeding, aconite, or some sNhilar de-
pressing agency. Even to an attentive
observer the symptoms of this disease
may be mistaken for inflammation of
the lungs, even the discharge from the
nose, and its tendency to become puru-
lent is exhibited too late to prevent the
mischief; then tenderness and swelling
of the glands under the jaw, with the
early prostration of strength which
generally accompanies the disorder,
rarely sufficiently early characterize in
stluenza; the pulse is by no means to be
depended upon; and although often
small and frequent, yet it often has the
wiry, oppressed and indistinct feeling
usual in pneumonia, and even the charac-
teristic redness of the eyes (from which
the name) may be present in case of
lung fever from various causes.
Pinkeye usually begins with a. rigor,
or shivering fit, which is frequently not
observed; to this succeeds increased
heat with hurried breathing and swol-
len legs. AT this period very few can
venture to determine the true nature of
the symptoms. There is, however.
one sign which will justify caution; this
is yellowness of the membrane of the
eye which rapidly passes to bright
red and affects both the covering mem
brane of the eye and the lining MEM
brane of the lids, the small veins which
supply this membrane-preViou
scarcely noticeable-now stand out
prominently like crimson threads. In
q day or SO thin, Serious discharges
from one or both nostrils ensue; these
become quickly heightened in color,
eventually appearing of a bright Grim
son. The Serious emulation from the
nose, however, soon loses its thin char
acter, for cough comes on and the dis
charges become purulent. It is an
axiom in medicine both human and
equine-that all mucous surfaces have
tendency to sympathize with one
another; therefore, in influenza, not
only may the disease extend to the in
terror of the air cells of the lungs. but
it almost invariably affects the lining
membranes of the great digestive canal
and generative organs. Sore throat is
very frequent accompaniment to the
complaint, which showsitself by diff
Guilty in swallowing; the hay, chewed
or guided then falls out of the
mouth.
The disease, extending itself, makes
the cough more harsh, dry and fire.
quent. From the swelling about the
opening of the CLOTHS, the cough is
often almost incessant, as well as deep
and sonorous; it is frequently so pain
ful as to occasion much Impotence and
violent stamping IN the. horse during
the effort. mi progress throughout
the extent of the membrane of the nose
it often affects the frontal sinuses. in
which case the head hangs down, the
eyelids are nearly closed, and even
slight appearances of stupor present
themselves. The general affection
makes it very common for the glands
beneath the jaw to become much swol-
len. extremely tender and, ON rare oc-
easions, to suppurate. The same ten
dency likewise produces swellings in
various parts of the head, which greatly
protract the disease. In some instances.
also, hanging swellings appear on the
chest, belly or legs; but which often
prove critical, and announce the termi-
nation of the disease in dropsy of the
chest. The pulse varies in different
subjects and under different modifica-
tons of the disorder. 1t is, however,
quiekened in all instances, and the
breathing is usually accelerated in the
same proportion; but it is only occasions
ally that the pulse is full or hard. A
remarkable prostration of strength soon
follows the suppurative process. Thus
about the third or fourth tlay. after ms