The Press., 1891-02-26
DISEASES OF THE HORSE.

Pneumonia is one of the most fatal dis eases at this time of the year for both man and beast. The horses are especially ha- ble to it among the domesticated animals, and the better the horse is, that is, the an imal with the highest strung nervous sys- tenn, the more susceptible it becomes to such ailments. Many of our best horses are destroyed by lung affections, due to carelessness of the owners. A little ex- posture at the wrong time may prove fatal even with the best medical care. Long drives when the horse is little out of con- dition makes it's system i'll prepared to re- sist the attack of disease. The nervous en- ergies at such times are exhausted, and the blood vessels have not the power to contract properly upon the large amount of blood. Internal congestion follows, the blood vessels of the lungs become enlarged, and if some remedy is not given at once inflammation may set in and pneumonia carry the animal away. A nervous horse should never be overstrained in this way, and when in such condition it is almost fatal to place the animal in cold, damp or poorly ventilated stable.
 On the other hand, exposure to the hot rays of the sun might also induce conges- tion. It is necessary to reduce the tenn perature of the animal gradually, and see that no sudden changes of conditions and temperature are allowed to interfere with the animals health. A good horseman knows the signs of nervous exhaustion, which are the external warnings of intern al congestion of the large blood vessels of the lungs The animals will have spas- modic contractions of the nostrils, cold sweats, tremors, dullness of eye, and nervous, uncomfortable trembling of the whole body and limbs.
 | Should these signs be apparent, give the animal active massage treatment Rub all parts of the body and limbs with dry fannels, and do anything that will ex- cite local circulation. If the case is a se- were one, give the horse half a pint of whiskey, mixed with the same amount of water. Soak the feet in hot water, and bandage them in warm flannels. See that the whole body is covered with warm woollen blankets as well. Change the blankets several times if they become wet with precipitation. Many valuable horse could have been saved by such effective treatment as this. If the congestion is al- lowed to develop into pneumonia, it is diff icult to say what the result of it will be. The preventive measures, however, are better than the curative Never exhaust the horse to such an extent as this, but use uOT0 COuQOQ S6uS0 AuQ COuSlu0Iat6llo6e for the animals welfare and comfort.
 Another common complaint of horses at this season of the year is palpitation of the heart. A horse whose heart is in normal condition and not affected by any weak ness will frequently suffer from palpitation of this organ through sudden fright indi- gestion, overlooking, excessive driving, and rapid exercise after 8 large meal. If | it is due to overlooking or under feeding, the remedy is at hand for all If from sudden fright, quiet the animals nerves by soothing it gently. Many in the coun- try drive rapidly on cold days right after feeding the horse, in order to get out of the cold as soon as possible. Palpitation of the heart is thus more frequent in cold weather than in warm. If the humping becomes too violent, and the animal has difficulty in breathing, turn its head to- ward the wind and blanket it we'll. Pre- vention here is also better than cure, and every good horseman understands the sig nificance of this.-Cor. American C4lti- vGtor.