•:••• ■ .-. ■ ••*^* -■;•;.,;,>• V--.,- V. .., •- •♦ • A^ . • • .►-•*•••• . . ' '-P*. . .« #• •'.•■^.-- ;•• .• * -•.••'-■'-'. • * • '*. * " PRACTICAL Tl^EATI^E , \-V :;./;>/ ON THE MOST OBVIOUS . ^ '. . \ ***«' 1 • , ■ \. ' ^ • • . •• « .J DISEASES PECULIAR TO HOESES;''.;;,- . TOGETHER WITH DIRECTIONS FOR THEIR MOST RATIONAL TREATMENT; CONTAINING, ALSO, SOME VALUABLE INFORMATIOISr ON THE ART ' OF SHOEING HORSES. BY GEORGE H. DADD, V. S., Author of "Anatomy and Physiology of the Horse," "Modern Horse Doctor," etc., etc., and Principal of*the Veterinary School of Chicago. >♦• CHICAGO: PUBLISHED BY LORD & SMITH. S. C. GUilO-CB^S Sc CO. NEW YORK: BLAKEMAN & MASON; C. M. SAXTON. 1863. •.}r»^ Entered according to thb Act of Congress, in the year 1803, bt GJ-EO. EC. ID ADD, AT. S., Is THE Clerk's Office of the Disteict Court of the United States, for the Northern District of Illinois. .... V -jKra TRIBUNE COMPANY, BOOK & JOB PKINTEKS, OHI OAOO. Ltmam & Zbesk, Stereotypers, 47 Claik street, Chicago. 3 X *-^ V \S iDny PREFACE, The object of the author in preparing this work, is to meet a great emergency, which all persons interested in the welfare of the Horse, acknowledge to exist. For example, many works on the treatment of equine affections are too voluminous for practical use among those, who, from sheer necessity, are compelled to try their skill as amateur physicians, in view of restoring to usefulness a sick or disabled animal. I find that in the hour of need, or when a horse is suddenly at- tacked with a dangerous malady, and appears to suffer tormenting N^ pains, and no surgeon at hand, humanity prompts the owner to seek >ih^. for some information that may enable him to prevent the destruction of his property ; under such circumstances he cannot spare the time to sit down and read a lengthy article; his object is to ascertain, without delay ^ the nature of the disease and its treatment. Since the commencement of our present national troubles, the spread of disease is alarmingly on the increase, from the fact that thousands of diseased animals have been disposed of and distributed all over the country, carrying with them the propagating germs of infection ; and many of these animals have proved a sore pest, and dear purchases, although they may have cost but a trifle. In the same ratio, therefore, as disease multiplies, so also will be the desire IV • PBEFACE for practical information on the naturo of the same. For these, and other reasons which might be alluded to, there exists a necessity for a work of this kind. In the composition of the work I have endeavored to be as brief and practical as possible. I have also, for the reader's instruction, introduced a number of cases which have occurred in my own practice, which may aid the practitioner in treating others. GEO. H. DADD, V. S. • / * ♦ CONTENTS. PA(SB AMominal Dropsy 13 Anatomy of the Tail 27 Aphthsa 88 Epizootic SB Apoplexy, Cerebral 43 Splenic 55 Acute Rheumatism 71 Albuminous Urine 97 Antidote for the Bite or Sting of Venomous Reptiles 99 Arsenic, Poisoning by .• Ill Age of Horses 124 " American Magnetic Equine Powders " 142 " American Magnetic Equine Liniment " , , 142 " American Magnetic Equine Lotion " 142 Brain, Inflammation of 21 Blindness 35 Bronchocele , 41 Bruise of the Sole 41 Big Head and Big Jaw 46 Brain, Dropsy of 64 Breach Presentation 57 Bots 69 Chronic Founder 14 Capped Hock 15 Elbow 15 Cramp or Spasm 20 Cough, Chronic 28 Colic, Spasmodic 39 Flatulent 40 Corns 42 Cribbing or Crib-Biting 43 Cerebral Apoplexy 43 Canker in the Feet 58 Chronic Rheumatism 75 Carrots, Value of 100 Castration, Mode of Performing 104 Cholera 110 Cut of Patent Horse Shoe 125 Cracks, Quarter 1 34 Cavalry Horses, Shoeing of 137 Dropsy, Abdominal 13 Distemper 16 Dilatation of the Pupil 32 Dropsy of the Brain 64 Disease of the Skin — Mange — Lousiness — Remedy for same 68 Derangement of the Stomach . .• 71 Diabetes, or Profuse Discharge of Urine 97 Disease, Navicular 98 of the Liver 101 Vlll CONTENTS PAGB Remarks on the Application of Hot Shoes 131 Stables, Importance of Ventilating 9 Social Science, its Relation to Veterinary Science 11 Stomach, Inflammation of , . . . . 13 Swelled Legs 16 Scrotal Hernia, Reduction of 18 Spasm, or Cramp 20 String Halt 20 Scratches 22 Staggers 22 Stifle out 33 Sore Mouth 37 Spasmodic Colic 39 Sole, Bruise of „ 41 Spleen, Enlargement of. ... - , 45 Splenic Apoplexy 65 Stomach, Over-Distension of 62 Sweeney, or Wasting of Muscles 63 Stomach, Derangement of , 71 Stables, Light in 82 Splent, its Nature, &c 92 Spavin, its Nature, kc 93 Suppression of Urine 9^ Sprain of the Fetlock 99 Structure and Function of the Liver. 101 Surfeit 120 Shoeing Horses, Rules for 128 Cavalry Horses 137 Horses in Scotland , 138 Tail, Anatomy of , 27 Thrush in the Mouth ■ 38 Tetanus, or Locked Jaw 61 Typhoid Pneumonia 63 Teething 81 Thick and Turbid Urine 97 Tracheotomy 105 The Bite or Sting of Venomous Reptiles. 117 Thumps 118 Theory and Practice of Shoeing Horses in Scotland 138 Umbilical Hernia 68 Urine, Bloody 96 Suppression of 97 Profuse Discharge of 97 Albuminous • 97 Thick and Turbid 97 Use of the hard Palate, or Bars 109 Veterinary Science, Remarks on 11 Veterinary Midwifery, Case of 67 Value of Carrots 100 Veterinary Science, How to Inaugurate it in the U. S. Army 115 Withers, Fistulous 29 Watering Horses 79 Worms 113 WarblcB 118 "^^ IMPORTANCE OF VENTILATING STABLES, IN VIEW OF PREVENTING DISEASE. " Prevention is better than Cure." It was the intention of the Creator, that all animals, so long as they were permitted to exercise their natural instincts, and thus comply' with the requirements of physiology — the science of life — should enjoy health and long life. Hence a great amount of disease and death results from the evils of domestication. One of the conditions which physiology imposes, in order that a horse shall enjoy health, is, that the atmosphere at all times, and under all circumstances, shall be uncontaminated, so that the blood shall be decarbonized and purified of the defiling elements acquired in the course of circulation. Let the reader understand that the lungs are something like a sponge, elastic, composed of a myriad of cells. ^.Tn the former, how- ever, these cells have a vast internal surface, communicating with each other up to their common origin, the bronchial tubes and wind- pipe. On their internal surface we find a delicate yet highly impor- tant membrane permeable to the atmosphere ; in extent, it is supposed to occupy a square surface equal to that of the external body. In contact with this membrane comes the atmosphere. If j3ure, zephyr- like, it fans into healthful blaze the flame of life, upheaving from the living Vesuvius arid lava, in the form of corbonic acid gas, almost as destructive to animality as that issuing from its great prototype proves to vegetation. The stable atmosphere being pure, and the lungs in working order, the blood is well arterialized, capable of supplying the waste of the animal machine, and renovating its tissues. On the other hand, should the atmosphere be impure, it fails to vitalize the blood ; the latter is unfit for the purpose of nutrition, and may be considered a non-supporter of vitality. Hence the need of pure air, the breath of life. But are horses always furnished with pure air ? Let the owners of unventilated, crowded, filthy, down-cellar and low-roofed stables answer. Let those who have stables in the region of swamps, sewers, and stagnant pools of water answer. In such locations disease and death run riot, and the noble com- panion of man, instead of being within the ramparts of the science of life, is on the margin of death's domain. He may exist for seve- 12 EEMARKS ON VETEEINARY SCIENCE. the glandered matter, coming in contact with an abraded, or absorb- ing spot, on any part of a man's body, will surely cause him to die the most horrible of all deaths ; and the same remarks apply to the disease known as ^'"malignant farcy.'''' I might enumerate many other fbrmf» of disease which are com- municable from the superior order of animality to the inferior, and vice versa, but the above must suffice, in view of attracting attention to the value and importance of the subject. In regard to the origin of diseases, it is known to the profession that the diseases of men and animals are often due to similar causes ; that the evils of domes- tication which operate to develop disease in animals, are as notorious as the evils of civilization, which induce unnecessary disease and premature death among members of the human family ; therefore, our science does bear an intimate relation to social science, and it appears to me that no scientific mind can fail to appreciate the advantages to be derived from a more extended knowledge of the- fundamental principles of veterinary science. Let husbandmen and stock raisers of this country put their shoulders to the wheel, in view of establishing veterinary schools and colleges throughout the length and breadth of our immense agricultural domain ; and soon we can boast of having a class of Veterinary Surgeons, educated on A'merican soil, conversant with the diseases incidental to the live stock of America / in that event, we can do our own " Doctoring,'''' without foreign interference. I am not disposed to find fault, nor scold about the itinerant vet- erinary practice which prevails in this locality, for I am aware that all try to do the best they can for the relief of the inferior orders of creation ; the fault is not with the practitioners, but with the people who have failed to .furnish the means, of. education. istj^txire of disea.se ASO METHODS OF TREATMENT. INFLAMMATION OF THE STOMACH. Caitse. — Improper food, and poisons which irritate the vascular coat of the stomach ; the disease often runs into the gastro- enteritis, which signifies inflammation of the stomach and bowels. Symptoms. — The animal is very restless and ungovernable, and appears to be in excessive pain, the pulse is wiry, and the patient refuses both food and water, knowing, probably, that if anything be taken into the stomach it will only add to the torment. Treatment. — Give the animal, every four hours, one pint of lin- seed tea, into which stir one drachm of nitrate of potass. Should it be discovered that the animal has been poisoned, give half a pint of linseed oil, and the same quantity of lime-water; mix, and give as a drench every four hours, until the animal is better, or the bowels respond to the medicine. The patient should be lightly fed, and during convalescence should have a few doses of an infusion of chamomiles. ABDOMINAL DROPSY. Cause. — ^Effusion of serum into the abdominal cavity. It often is the result of an acute disease of the peritoneum. Symptoms. — Dropsical swellings in the sheath and limbs ; the abdomen is enlarged ; the appetite is not good, and the animal is thirsty. Let one person strike the walls of the abdomen with his hand, while another rests his hand on the opposite side ; at the^mo- ment of striking, the person on the opposite side will feel a fluctu- ating movement, demonstrating the presence of water within the abdomen. The external symptoms show unthriftiness and debility. Treatment. — The disease being of a prostrating character, the patient's strength must be sustained ; give one drachm of ginger, and the same quantity of golden seal, and twenty grains of iodide of potass, night and morning, in a few oats or shorts, and rub the external swellings once, daily, with oil of cedar. 14 TREATISE ON DISEASES FOUNDER, (acute laminitis.) The terra founder signifies " ruin ;" because a horse in a foun- dered condition is, while the disease lasts, a ruined animal. The diseuse is known to professional men as Laminitis^ (inflaramation of the vascular parts of the foot.) During the progress of the disease, ATKOPHY, or wasting of the muscles of the shoulders, occurs, and some persons are then disposed to call the malady *' chest founder," but the original seat of the malady was in the foot; the wasting of the muscles occurs in consequence of a want of physiological action of the same. This disease, in its acute form, comes on very suddenly, and may be occasioned by severe work, overfeeamg, or imbibing cold water when the animal is in a state of perspiration ; it often has a metasta- tic origin, that is, translation of disease from the lungs to the feet. Symptoms. — The most reliable symptoms are, a hard, strong and wiry pulse, unnatural heat about the feet ; the animal appears to suffer much pain, and is continually shifting his position and sending his foot forwards ; sometimes, in view of obtaining relief, he lies down, but is uneasy and breathes quick. The position which the animal assumes, and the unnatural heat of the hoofs, point out clear- ly the true character of the affection. Treatment of Acttte Founder. — The feet should be kept con- stantly moist with cold water, and four drachms of nitrate of potass may be given, twice, daily, in a little water ; but should the animal labor under a gorged state of the stomach, administer tonics and stimulants in view of arousing the digestive function, so that the food may be digested, and thus pass out of the stomach. A few doses of nitrate of potass will soon decrease the action of the heart, and lessen the inflammatory action of the feet. CHRONIC FOUNDER. Chronic Founder is usually the result of organic foot disease, and a permanent cure is almost a matter of impossibility; the only thing we can do, is to mitigate the sufferings of the animal, by applying lubricating and counter-irritating liniments to the feet and limbs, and by having the feet properly prepared and shod, and allowing the subject to spend his time in the pasture. (See article ''^Sweeney.'") Some persons contend there are many kinds of founder, but the facts are, founder is not the disease; the wiry shoulders and hollowness in front of the chest, are mere effects arising from protracted dis- ea.8e aud pain in the fore feet — chronic foot lameness. PECULIAR TO HOESES. 15 CAPPED 110 CK. Capped Hock consists of a soft enlargement at the point of the hock or bone, known as the os calcis ; the enlargement is usually occasioned by a bruise or some injury done to the parts. Treatment. — Rub the parts twice daily with some stimulating liniment,* and let the animal have regular daily exercise. CAPPED ELBOW. Capped Elbow is similar to Capped Hock; it arises from the same cause and requires the same treatment. PUMICED FOOT. Symptoms. — Convex sole and descent of sole ; he travels as though he was afraid to put his foot fairly on the ground. Treatment. — A run at grass. PUNCTURE OF THE SOLE OF THE FOOT. Horses' feet very often get punctured in consequence of picking up a nail when traveling on the road ; at other times horses' feet get punctured in consequence of the smith accidentally driving a nail in a wrong direction ; sometimes very little injury results, but often locked jaw ensues. Treatment. — Enlarge the orifice so as to allow of the escape of any matter that may form within the hoof; then apply a plaster com- posed of equal parts of brown sugar and soap — or dress with Lord &i Smith's Magnetic Lotion, and apply leather under the foot, be- tween the shoe and sole. When all symptoms of lameness have subsided, the leather may be removed. It is important that the orifice, made by the puncturing nail, should be enlarged, otherwise the matter will burrow and form a quittor. SWELLED LEGS. Swelled legs are occasioned by what is known as local dropsy ; some horses seem to possess a peculiar predisposition, and whenever they get sick, or stand a few days in the stable, their hind legs swell. * The Magnetic Liniment manufactured by Messrs. Lord & Smith, No. 23 Lake street, Chicago, I have found very efficacious. 16 TREATISE ON DISEASES The swelling arises from the presence of serum or water witliin the cellular tissue of the parts. Treatment. — Should the swelled legs be the result of a prostrat- ing disease, tonics and diuretics are indicated ; give two drachms of powdered goldenseal every morning, and three drachms of nitrate of potass every night, to be mixed with the food, and let the animal have daily exercise. In obstinate cases it will be necessary to apply daily a p.-tion of the following : Spirits of Camphor. . '. 6 ounces. Vinegar ♦....! quart. Mix. Or use Lord & Smith's Magnetic Liniment. LNTFLUENZA AND DISTEMPER. Such affections as the above named, are apt to make their appear- ance in the spring, and are most prevalt.nt in stables that are not ventilated ; such affections are very apt to extend from the mucous surfaces of the nostrils, to the throat and interior of the air cells of the lungs ; usually, however, the throat is the seat of sorent-ss and exudation ; while in some cases that have lately occurred in this city, a very profuse discharge from both nostrils was observed, which ended in a critical outburst of an abscess between the angles of the lower jaw. In two cases that have lately come under my observa- tion, the disease ended in pleurisy, and effusion of serum into the cavity of the chest, which was attended with dropsical swellings of the legs and external parts of the chest. When distemper occurs in the system of an animal debilitated by previous disease, or one of a morbid or scrofulous diathesis, a profuse and protracted nasal gleet remains, and this is accompanied by tumefaction of the thyroid glands in the region of the throat. The purulent discharge from the nostrils, need not occasion any anxiety on the part of the owner of the horse or the medical attend- ant, for, as it increases in quantity, the other observable symptoms of the malady grow milder ; in fact, the discharge may be considered an effort, on the part of nature, to rid the system of morbific mat- ter, and any attempts by injudicious treatment to arrest this salutary discharge may effect a translation of disease, which often ends in death. Death may, however, be occasioned by the re-absorption of the morbid nasal discharge; imder such circumstances, the nasal membrane takes on a livid aspect, and streaks or spots of extrava- sated blood are observed; the membranes of the eyes assume a dark red color, the pulse becomes indistinct; cold sweats bedcAv the body; the patient becomes emaciated, loses his appetite, and, soon after, his life. In a few solitary cases a partial recovery takes place — death refuses to receive a victim — the animal lives to be the subject of con- firmed heaves or broken wind. As EEGARDS THE CoNTAGIOUS OR InFECTIOTJS ElEMENT OF DiS- PECULIAR TO HOESES. 17 TEMPER. — Should I contend that "Distemper" was contagions and infectious, probably the bulk of evidence would be on my side ; in fact, I was formerly led to believe that, either by infection or conta- gion, distemper was propagated from the system of one animal to that of another ; but experience, which is generally the only true guide, has of late years led me to think differently, yet I am well aware that even at the present day, in spite of the ever accumulative knowledge of pathology, both the negative and afl&i'mative of this proposition may be logically maintained. Because a number of horses are attacked with distemper, in this or that stable, is not positive proof in evidence of its contagious or infectious element, because the season of the year may have more to do with its production than some people are aware of It is well known that influenza or distemper is more frequently encountered in spring, than in autumn; more in autumn, in some countries, than •in summer, and in winter more rarely than in either of the other quarters of the year. Then again, influenza may make its appearance at a certain stable, and rapidly spread, so that a great proportion of its occupants are affected with unmistakable symptoms of the malady ; but this proves nothing in favor of the theory of the contagionists, for the same cause which operated to develop the malady in the system of one animal, was operative (if operative at all) in the systems of the others. In view of maintaining my argument, I offer the following perti- nent case: Mr. Harbin, an extensive dealer in horses, informs me that he once purchased a number of horses for a southern market, and knowing that all horses at some period of their existence ought, or must, have an attack of distemper, he was desirous of getting his animals through' the scrape ere he delivered them to his friends; and in view of delivering them in good condition, he purposely ex- posed them, by purchasing a horse affected with distemper ; and not- withstanding his efforts to communicate the disease, the animals improved in condition, and not one of them appeared sick until a long time afterwards when they were landed in a southern port, and even then he disposed of the whole lot, having but one sick patient on his hands; the sickness being contracted after arriving south. Treatment of Distemper. — The animal should be placed in a comfortable location, where he can breathe pure air, and be free from annoyance of every kind ; should the weather be chilly, the body may be lightly clothed, and the lower part of the limbs band- aged with flannel. It is very important that the surface of the body be kept warm, for when cold, the equilibrinm of the circulation is disturbed, the blood then localizes itself about the internal organs, and produces congestion ; a condition very unfavorable, in view of the speedy restoration of the sick creature. It should be understood by every husbandman that this affection is of a prostrating nature, that the object of the treatment of the malady is to husband the animal powers — Tzeep the horse alive while the disease runs its course — and preserve the tone of the system by administering tonics and diffusive stimulants ; a few doses of golden seal and ginger, accompanied by a rational allowance of scalded o^ts, 2 18 TEEATMENT OF DISEASES small quantities of hay, and water enough, are generally all that is needed by way of treatment. And if this course be pursued, the animal will recover, very little the worse for having had the distem- per. A mild form of this disease is often made to assume a typhoid or putrid type simply from meddlesome medication and overdosing, with agents which depress the vital powers, and by bleeding. No matter what may be the stage in which we find the disease, the treatment must be life-sustaining; no kind of treatment which con- templates a depression of vitality is at all admissible. This is my experience after a practice of very many years — and the most intel- ligent and liberal-minded physicians of the present day depend more on nature than art, in the treatment of distemper. Should swellings appear under the chest and limbs, the proposed plan of treatment is not to be materially altered, only add to the golden seal and ginger a little iodide of potass ; this agent is a gland- ular stimulant, and augments the function of the absorbents which take up the fluid and thus reduce the swellings, which are of a dropsical character. The proportions of the above agents are as follows : Golden Seal, powdered ^ . .^ . . , 2 ounces. Ginger, " 1 ounce. Iodide of Potass " 3 drachms. Mix, and divide into twelve parts, and give one night and morning in food or gruel. It may happen that the animal is unable to swallow, in conse- quence of soreness of throat, as the saying is ; in such case we mere- ly apply some stimulating application to the region of the throat, and wait awhile; soon the soreness subsides, and the patient can then swallow all he needs and as much as nature requires. The best stimulating application for the throat is Cod Liver Oil 4 ounces. Tincture of Capsicum ._ , . , ^^» . 1 ounce. Another perhaps equally as good : Olive Oil 6 ounces. Spirits of Hartshorn 2 ounces. A portion of either of the above preparations may be rubbed into the thyriod region twice daily. Under the above mode of treat- ment I have found that recovery is not only soon accomplished but perfect. REDUCTION OF SCROTAL HERNIA.* The best method of reducing scrotal hernia in the uncastrated colt, is to cast the horse by means of the hobbles, and when on its back, the animal is to be kept in that position, while, by means of * Hernia is from a Greek word which signifies a breach, from its protrusion out of its place — a rupture. 'When tlie hernia tumor 13 easily put back into the abdomen, ih is called reducible hernia. The symptoms of a reducible hernia are not very violent ; the horse will paw with his fore extremi- ties, hangs his head, looks silently at his flank, and appears to suffer from constant, yet not very active pain ; on the affected side the scrotal bag will appear cold. PECULIAR TO HORSES. 19 the hand and fingers, the bowel is kneaded back again into the abdominal cavity. Should the bowel or intestine not return readily, a tackle, double and. single block with a small rope^ must be fixed to a beam above the posterior part of the animal; then hook the sin^^le block into the hind hobbles, and raise the posterior parts from fhe ground ; this sends the contents of the abdomen forwards, towards the diaphragm, and the imprisoned intestine usually recedes into proper position. Sliould the bowel not return, after a fair trial, the animal may be aetherized ; while administering the aether, however, the patient should be released from the tackle, and hoisted again when in a state of etherization; after this the hernia is easily reduced. Should, however, the case be a bad one, in consequence of a lapse of considerable time since the period of the accident, or from the presence of a portion of bowel distended with gas, forming a tumor of considerable magnitude, the operator must proceed to%pen the scrotum and tunioa vaginalis^ and should a portion of bowel present itself, much distended with gas, the bowel may be punctured in several places with the point of a fine needle; these punctures will allow the gas to escape, and the volume of the intestine is so reduced that k. usually returns, without any trouble, into its proper cavity. Having reduced the hernia, the wooden clamps are to be placed on the spermatic cord and secured; the testicle is then to be severed from the cord. A case may now and then occur, which precludes the possibility of a return of tlie intestine, after the above fashion, in consequence of a thickened state of the walls of the gut ; in such a case we have to enlarge the inguinal rin^ with a probe-pointed bistourie, and after the bowel has returned into the abdomen, castration must be per- formed as just described. /Shall we remove both testicles f I usually invite the owner of the horse to decide this question ; at the same time inform him that the animal, unless a very valuable one, had better be completely emas- culated. The loss of one testicle will not very seriously impair his powers as a sire' of progeny ; therefore, if the subject of this loss be of good blood or stock, it is better to let the unaffected testicle remain, for, as the old saying is, "blood will tell," O^ THE TREATMENT OF FEVERS. "fevers generally tend to their own cure.*' Mann,^ and several other authors of the modern school, contend, that " The principal treatment that is necessary in disorders of this kind, is, to let nature have * lair play.' If the purest air is sup- plied, the most perfect cleanliness is scrupulously observed, and nothing is given or done that can continue the oppression of the system, nature soon rights herself The excretoiy organs, step by step, expel the offending matter fi-om the blood, and the balance of health is gradually restored. The low diet, the quiet, and other valuable measures directed by medical science, all have the object 20 TREATMENT OF DISEASES in view, in the first place, of removing or withholding such influence as would oppose nature in its beneficent work; and, in the second place, of aiding its operations, so far as this can be done, by artifi- cial appliances. Every one ought to understand this, in order that he may be prepared to yield intelligent and eflSeient obedience to medical suggestions and directions, in case of being placed in posi- tions in which such may be required." The above are very excellent directions, and if fully carried out in the treatment of the various diseases of the inferior orders of creation, would probably save the lives of many valuable animals that are constantly dying from the practice of a system of meddle- some medication, and from the unwarrantable use of drugs that are either injurious or actively poisonous in their character. CRAMP OR SPASM. Cramp, as it occurs in horses, is usually confined to the muscles and tendons which flex the limb. The following case will illus- trate my treatment: Case of Cramp, or Spasm. — I was requested, a short time ago, to visit a horse, said to be the subject of " stifle lameness." The patient, a gray gelding, aged eight years, was put up at the stable, on the evening preceding my visit, apparently in perfect health ; early in the morning, ere I was called, the " feeder" observed that the horse was incapable of moving the near hind limb, and it appeared to be, as I was informed, " as^ifi" as a crowbar." On making an examination of the body of the animal, he appeared to be in perfect health ; yet he was unable to raise the limb, in the slightest degree, from the stable floor. The case was accordingly diagnosed as cramp of the flexors. Treatment. — The body and lower parts of the limbs were clothed with blankets and flannel bandages, and the afiected limb was diligently rubbed for half an hour with a portion of the follow- ing liniment : Oil of Cedar 1 ounce. Sulphuric ^ther 2 ounces. Proof Spirit 1 pint. In the course of a few hours after the first application, the diffi- culty had entirely disappeared. The owner informed me that the horse had, on the day prior to the attack, been exposed to a cold and continuous rain storm, and probably this operated as the exciting cause of the spasm. STRINGHALT. Stringlialt is probably a disease of the nervous system, and seems to aff'ect the muscles of the hind extremities through the PECULIAR TO HORSES. 21 nerves of involuntary motion. Persons who have dissected ani- mals which were once the subjects of stringhalt, declare that they found pressure on the posterior portion of the spinal column. I have noticed that many horses, the subjects of commencing spavin, have stringhalt when they start. This may be occasioned by irritation on the nerve which passes over the hock. Medicine has but little if any power over this disease, yet,^ if the reader wishes to try the effects of the same, I would advise the use of stimulating liniment, to be applied over the region of the back, and inside of the thighs, and let the animal have a couple of drachms of asafoetida every day for a week or more. Most vete- rinary surgeons contend that stringhalt is incurable. In France the action of a stringhalt horse is (on the dancing-master prmciple) con- sidered rather graceful than otherwise; so that if any of the readers of this work happen to have a horse the subject of stringhalt which they cannot <5ure, they had better ship him to France. MEGRIMS. Megrims, in the horse, is supposed to be analogous to epilepsy in ,man. A horse the subject of this affection is apt to appear dull and stupid when at work, and will, at a later period in the stage of the malady, be seized with a sudden fit, and drop down in the shafts ; at other times will gallop forwards and run head foremost into any obstacle which happens to be in his way ; he soon after goes into convulsions and becomes insensible. A horse subject to this malady is never safe to drive, and conse- quently is almost worthless ; indeed, when attacked, his recovery is never certain, for he often dies in convulsions. Treatment. — Bathe the head constantly with cold water, and apply spirits of ammonia to his nostrils ; should the case be a cura- ble one, the animal will soon rise, when he must be led, cautiously, to the stable. Then administer the following: Powdered Golden Seal 1 ounce. Mandrake 1 " Ginger 2 *' Carbonate of Soda 1 " Divide into ten parts, and give one, night and morning,, in a few oats. INFLAMIVIATION OF THE BRAIN. Animals most subject to this affection, have a short thick neck and l)ulky forehead ; the disease is one of the most formidable with which we have to contend, as it often ends in frenzy ; sometimes, however, dropsy of the brain sets in, at others, rupture of a blood vessel takes place — in either case, death is very apt to ensue. 22 TREATMENT OF DISEASES Symptoms. — The animal soems to have no control over itself^ and will dash about in the most violent manner, and disregards all the owner's commands ; the membranes of the eyes are very hisjhly injected, and the pulse is full and active. In short, the animal apj)ears in a state of madness. Treatment. — The only way in which we can be of o.ny service, in a case of this character, is to use the lancet freely until the ])atient is prosti'ated, then give half an ounce of pulverized nitre, and ton o-rains of aconite root every half hour, until symptoms of iniprovo- ment take place ; in the meantime, injections, composed of hot water, soap and salt, should be thrown into the rectum. Tonics should be resorted to, as soon as the patient shows symptoms of weakness. STAGGERS. The usual forms of staggers which occur among horses in this part of the country, are Stomach Staggers and Sleepy Staggers ; in the first case, the animal is usually the subject of over distention of the stomach, and, when urged to move, staggers like a drunken man j in the latter case, the function of the stomach is paralyzed^ and the animal is somnolent or sleepy. The usual exciting causes of smch affections are, overfeeding and want of proper exercise, yet it may arise from hard work when the animal is the subject of an over-distended stomacli. Treatment. — Both the above affections may be treated as follows : Give the patient six ounces of table salt, one ounce of ginger, in half a pint of hot water. Then dissolve half a pound of Glauber salts in hot water and throw the same into the rectum. In the course of a couple of hours the dose may be repeated. The diet should consist of sloppy bran mashes, well seasoned with salt. GREASE. In olden times, Grease or Scratches, and cracked heels, were not only very prevalent but very formidable affections. Before veterin- ary surgr-ons were employed in the British army, many thousands of valuable horses were condemned as useless for active service in consequence of the prevalence of that loathsome affection known as. inveterate Grease ; but now in consequence of the presence of vete- rinary surgeons and the consequent imj^'oved system of manage- ment in camp and stable, Grease is almost unknown. Most vete- rinary writers contend that Grease almost always arises from im- proper management of the horse, yet I have seen it occur in horses that were well cared for and properly treated. The truth is, some horses are predisposed to affections of the skin of the heels and the sebaceous glands of the same, and although cleanliness and good management may stave off an attack for a long while, yet when the rECULIAE TO HORSES. ' ' 23 system abounds in morbific matter tbe same is very apt to gravitate towards the heels — they being most remote from the centre of circu- lation — inducing inflammation of the skin of the heels, distension of the sebaceous glands, and a stinking and unhealthy deposit on the surface, and a purulent discharge through ulcerated cracks : this constitutes Grease. It is contended by Mr. Blain and others, that " Grease has local weakness for a cause. As fluids press, not in proportion to their diameter, but to the height of their column, the venous blood must find some difliculty in its ascent. Debility is therefore more felt in the distended vessels remote from the influence of the heart, under which circumstance the efiects productive of Grease necessa- rily ensue." Some horses are constantly the subjects of swelled legs, and if the heels happen to be accidentally abraded, the latter often operates as the exciting cause of a very formidable afl*ection of the heels. Associated with the swelled legs is a scurfiness of the skin beneath the fetlock ; these conditions, together with the fact that the animal is of the lymphatic temperament, (gray color,) are sure indications that a predisposition to maladies of the above character is present. Having such horses under our care, the chief object should be to ward off an attack, by dietetic and hygienic measures ; too much washing of the heels without drying them by rubbing, is just about as bad as if the filth was allowed to remain ; the practice chills the part by a process of slow evaporation, and the result is local con- gestion, &G. I propose to illustrate, for the benefit of the reader, the treatment of Grease : July 15th. Was requested to see a gray gelding, the property of the Transfer Company of St. Louis. On arrival I found him to be a large, flabbily organized creature, having a large amount of loose tissue under the skin. I found that there was a bad odor arising from some ulcerations and exudations about the heels and sides of the same ; intermediate of the ulcers were dry horny scabs, the hair about the parts pointing straight out; the heel was excessively ten- der, quite vascular, and blood escaped from its vessels. The mo- ment a hand was placed upon the locality, the animal would catch up the limb and appear to suflfer much pain. TrExVtment. — In the first place I had the parts well cleansed with 5oap and water ; then after wiping the parts dry, they were wetted three times daily with a portion of the following solution : Nitrate of Potass (Saltpetre) 3 ounces. Water , 1 pint. Glycerine 4 ounces. Every time the solution was applied, the parts were dusted with pulverized charcoal; this charcoal completely covering the abraded parts, and being a good antiseptic, had a very excellent efiect in ex- cluding atmospheric air and in correcting the fetid odor. I administered as an alterative to correct the morbid habit, twenty grains of iodide of potass ; four drachms of sulphur ; two drachms of powdered sassafras bark ; one drachm of gentian ; these were 24 ' TREATMENT OF DISEASES mixed in food, and the same quantity was given daring a period of four days, and the dressings were also continued. On the fifth day the animal had very much improved, stood fair on the foot, and seemed to sulTer but very little pain ; the limb was somewhat swollen, partly from want of use, and otherwise from a slight effusion into the cellular tissue. I discontinued the medicine and ordered the following mixture to be appUed twice daily :* PyroligneousAcid, | ^^„^, ^,,3. After each application the charcoal was reapplied. At the end of about fifteen days the animal was well, with the exception of some enlargement and induration which time alone could remedy. This plan of treatment would probably prove successful in all curable cases of Grease, Cracked Heels, Scratches, &c., and I ad- vise the reader to try it whenever such cases occur ; the patient, however, should be kept on a light diet — green feed in summer and carrots in winter — and a moderate supply of oats and hay. MYALGIA. Myalgia signifies muscular pain and stiffness. St. Louis, July 26. I was this day called to examine a colt, the property of Mr. P., of this city. The owner informed me the colt was put in a flour wagon with a pair of mules, this being the first time he ever was driven ; he was worked hard all that day, and on being taken out, and while he was under great heat, and completely tired out, was allowed to drink freely of water. The next morning my attention being called to him, I proceeded to examine him. I found the pulse small and wiry, and in a state of exhaustion. Respirations somewhat accelerated upon backing him out of the stall ; he moved very stiff and with clifiiculty, seemingly in consid- erable pain. The back was arched, bringing the feet in close prox- imity ; these were very hot, the animal being very unwilling to move. Diagnosis. — Myalgia, or muscular pain. Treatment. — Gave by drench : Iodide Potass 2 drachms. Tincture of Golden Seal 7 " Rubbed his legs with the following: Indian Hemp, ) ^ ^^^ ^^^^^ Chloroform, ) ^ ^ July 27. Called again to see the patient and found him somewhat improved, and not in so much pain. The stiffness had in considera- ble degree disappeared. Ordered his legs to be rubbed wi^h the same The Magnetic Lotion, prepared by Lord & Smitli, is an excellent remedy for this complaint. PECULIAR TO HOUSES. 25 preparation -which was applied yesterday morning, then gave, by drench ; Prickly Ash Bark 5 drachms. Golden Seal 5 " Iodide Potass 1 " July 28. Called to see my patient this morning, and found him rapidly improvhig. His walk was much firmer and his general ap- pearance livelier. I did not consider his legs needed any further medical application, but I gave a drench composed of — Golden Seal 4 drachms. Iodide Potass 1 " July 29. I found such a decided improvement this morning that I felt it necessary to suspend further medical treatment, and informed the owner that by turning him out to grass he would ultimately* recover. Remarks. — Myalgia is a very prevalent disease among horses, yet it is often confounded with pleurodyna, founder, rheumatism, &g. In view of giving the reader some idea of the cause and nature of Myalgia, I propose to make a few extracts from a lecture lately de- livered by Thomas Inman, M.D., of the Royal Infirmary, Liverpool: " My attention has been drawn very forcibly, of late, to the sub- ject of the muscles, and the frequency with which they are painfully affected in the human subject. It is clear that they are affected much in the same way in the horse and other animals. *' If any man undergoes an excessive amount of physical exertion, and especially if he be unaccustomed to it, or if he has been the victim of cramp, we know that on the next day he complains of stiffness and soreness in those parts of the body which have been most exercised. Experience tells us that this stiffness lasts for about four or five days, but that it goes off on the first day as the indi- vidual is again warmed to his work, and comes on again as soon as he is cool. *' There is every reason to believe that excessive or long protract- ed exertion will produce a bad effect upon a healthy and strong muscle ; it is equally certain that a similar result will be produced in a weakly and unhealthy muscle by a very slight exertion, because that exertion, though seemingly small, is excessive. " If any man or horse die of tetanus, we may ascertain readily the physical effects produced on their muscles, by excessive and prolonged involuntary contraction. The muscles of a tetanic patient are pale looking, fishy, bloodless, spott'ed, &c. " From the foregoing particulars it is evident that the muscles, in their entirety, were frequently the seats of very severe suffering; and experience showed that myalgio affections were far more com- mon than had been supposed. But many patients had muscular pains from doing the very same things that others had done without experiencing anything disagreable, and many had- myalgia from continuing to perform actions which they had been accustomed to do all their lives. This had to be accounted for. " A short consideration sufticed to state the matter thus : If . an individual, whose muscles are strong, experience stiffness, pain and 26 TREATMENT OF DISEASES Borencss, from doing double an amount of ordinary work, another, whose muscles are only of half the average strength, will have a similar result from doing his ordinary work. "The deduction, then, was inevitable, that myalgic pains would be common and severe in direct pi'oportion to the patient's debility. But it is still necessary to demonstrate, that the muscles of various individuals hnd vai'ying powers ; and still more important was it to show that those of the same individual varied in power according to circumstances." By trials of strength, &c., the Lecturer showed, very conclusively, the facts sought for. PRICKING OR NICKING HORSES' TAILS. Nicking Hoeses. — The EnoRsh method of nickino: horses is, instead of inserting a knife and maldng a subcutaneous section of the muscles of the tail^ known as the depressors, to make three straight incisions at equal distances right across the tail ; by this method the muscles of the tail are effectually or completely divided. The first incision is usually made about two inches from the root of the tail, and the other two at equal distances from the first, in a direction towards the end of the tail. The tail is then kept perpendicular, in the usual manner, by pnl- lies. It is said that by this method a more graceful curvature of the tail is secured, which I believe is a fact ; yet the operation is any- thing but pleasant to the horse. It is one of the fashionable barba- risms of civilization. The English method of nicking, although the most unsightly and barbarous, is still the safest, as there is less liability to locked jaw. It is well known that locked jaw more frequently ensues from a punctured wound, than a clean cut or incision. Yet when nick- ing or pricking after the American fixshion, if care be taken to make the orifice through the skin sufliciently large, so that the pus, after- ward secreted, may escape, I think there is no danger. The danger arises from imprisonment of pus by closure of the orifice in the skin. In healthy subjects the orifice made through the skin will often unite, in the course of a few hours ; then, should morbid mat- ter accumulate within the substance of the tail, it burrows, forms an abscess, or else becomes absorbed, producing locked jaw. Therefore I would advise persons having pricked or nicked horses under their care, to pay strict attention to such, and see that the orifices are kept open, which may easily be done by occasionally inserting the point of a penknife. The skin should be the last place to heal. The healing ])rocess must be perfected in the interior first, and lastly the skin. Should fungus or " proud flesh" appear, apply powdered blood-root, burnt alum, or red precipitate. When an abscess forms at the base of the tail after pricking, apply a poultice of flaxseed; and when the tail is much inflamed and swollen, it should be bathed frequently with acetic acid one part, water seven parts ; mix. When horses are nicked in warm weather, the tail should be moistened with tincture of aloes ; this will keep off the flies. PECULIAE TO HORSES. ^7 •ersons who are not experts in the art of pricking, are apt to ind, and sometimes completely sever the coccygeal arteries, .r woun{ thereby causing an nnnecessary and dangerous hemorrhao-e. In such cases, I should advise the operator to crowd into the orifice a small piece of dry sponge ; this will arrest the hemorrhage, and at the same time keep the divided ends of the muscles apart, so that they cannot reunite; hence it is not necessary to put the tail into pullips for some hours, or until bleeding has ceased ; when this is the case, the sponge may be removed by means of a small pair of forceps. The success in securing what is denominated a fashionable tail, depends altogether on the skill of the operator, who must make a complete division of the muscles beneath the tail only, whose action is to coinp-ess and depress that useful appendage ; for should the incision be made too high on the side of the tail, the curoators may be partly t)r wholly severed; then the tail will ultimately diverge laterally, or in stable language it will be said, " that the horse does not carry his tail straight^ To remedy this, the curvator on the opposite side must be divided ; then the tail has to be forcibly drawn and kept in an opposite direction from the curved side, so as to pre- vent the muscle from reuniting. In the course of a short time granulations are thrown out from the surface of the divided ends of the nniscle ; it then acquires length, and thus the tail becomes straight. Anatomy of the Tail. For the benefit of those who wish to practice the art of " nicking or pricking" understandingly, I now propose to give a brief exposition of the anatomy of the" tail. Bov.ss of the Tail. The bones of the tail number fifteen, some- times sixteen, and are situated at the back of the rump bone or sacrum. They are not a continuation of the vertebral bones but are an appendage to the haunch bone. The bones entire are termed coccyx (from the Greek, which sio-ni- fies cuchoo^ the bill of which bird the appendage to the sacrum^ or haunch bone of man, is said to represent), and in order to prevent confusion in anatomical terms, veterinary surgeons have applied the same name to the tail bones of the horse ; hence, when the terms coccygis or coccygeal are used, they have some relation to the tail. The bones are roughened on their surfaces, have depres- sions and eminences for the insertion of ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Muscles of the Tail. These muscles are divisible into four pairs. They are most distinctly seen at the root of the tail, but in their course towards the end of the same they become blended one with another. First Pair. The first pair is situated on the upper part of the tail ; they are attached to the sacrum and to the bones of the tail Their action is to raise or erect the tail. Secoyid Fair of Coccygeal Muscles. These are termed depres- sors coccyx^ and are situated at the under part of the tail. They are attached to the underneath part of the sacrum, and to the same locality on the bones of the tail. They are antagonistic to the first pair, and their direct action is to depress the talk These are the 2S TREATMENT OF DISEASES muscles which should be divided in the process of pricking or nicking. Third Pair. The third pair are termed curvators coccyx. These muscles are situated on the sides of the tail, between the first and second pairs. They are attached to the fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae, and to the sides or transverse processes of all the bones of the tail. Their action is to curve or fiex-the tail towards the quarter and sides, and the division of one of these muscles causes permanent flexure of the tail in an opposite direction. Considering the tail as a means of defense in switching off flies, &c., these mus- cles are the principal ones called into action. Fourth Fair. The fourth pair are termed compressors coccyx. They are located at the sides and root of the tail, and are inserted into the back part of the hip bones (ischium)., and into the first five bones of the tail. The action of these muscles is to maintain the tail forcibly against the anus. In the mare these muscles protect lier from ravishment. The Arteries of the Tail are termed coccygeal arteries. Those located at the sides, are called lateral coccygeal, and the one found in the lower or inferior region, is so called — inferior coccygeal. Nerves of the Tail. As with the muscles, so with the nerves — there are four pair of coccygeal nerves. They are not a continua- tion of the true spinal cord, but are given off from it. They are distributed to the muscular filaments, to the skin, and to the extremity of the tail. CHPiONIC COUGH — ITS TREATMENT, &c. Chronic Cough is often the result of indiscretion in the treatment of influenza, distemper, and disease of the respiratory apparatus. It usually depends on a morbid and irritable condition of the mem- brane, found on the interior of the respiratory passages ; the cough is generally aggravated by over-exertion, especially when the roads are dusty ; food of an inferior quality, and that of a musty charac- ter, has the same effect. It is generally supposed by those persons who have not had the benefit of a medical education, that the presence of acute, or chron- ic cough, indicates diseased lungs^ or disease in some parts of the organs of res2:)iration ; but this is not always the case, for, whenever the liver becomes diseased, the subject is very apt to be tormented with a harassing cough, which lasts as long as that organ shall be the seat of disease ; however, there are several symptoms, to be ob- served in cases of functional or organic disease of the liver, which are not present in lung disease ; hence there is no difiiculty in the way of making a correct diagnosis, and for the benefit of the non- professional, I would inform them that, in all cases of liver disease, a marked yellow tinge will be observed on the visible surfaces within the mouth; the tongue slightly coated; the dung is unusu- ally dark colored, and is voided in hardened lumps, and the urine is also of a dark yellow color. PECULIAR TO HOESES. 29 Treatment of Chronic Cough. — Should it appear that the cough is occasioned by irritation, or an irritable state of the lining mem- brane of the respiratory passages, I recommend the following: Fluid Extract of Indian Hemp 1 ounce. Syrup of Balsam of Tolou 2 " Balsam Copaiba 1 " Mix. About a table-spoonful of the above should be given twice, daily, from a small bottle. The patient should be coaxed to drink an infusion of linseed now and then ; it will lubricate the surfaces with which it comes in con- tact, lessen the cough, and tend to improve the condition. Atteiition must he paid to the Diet. An irritable state of the niu- cous surfaces is apt to be aggravated by the use of hay of an inferior quality ; in fact, poor hay, dusty or musty, is dear at any price, and is not, in that condition, fit for food. If the patient has been long kept on any particular kind of provender, a change becomes neces- sary — then such articles as linseed, sliced carrots, green feed, or oat straw, may advantageously be given. Should the cough be dependent on disease of the liver, I would advise the owner of the animal to consult a veterinary surgeon. See Magnetic Horse Powders. FISTULOUS WITHERS. Cause of Fistulous Withers. — Various are the causes assigned,' by veterinary writers, for the origin of fistulous withers; but it may be laid down, as a general rule, that this accidental, local affliction is occasioiied by local injury inflicted by a bad-fitted collar or saddle ; which, one or the other, are continually worn, and are constantly augmenting the irritation. In fitting a collar or saddle to a horse's back, or shoulders, the harness-maker should study the conformation of the parts to be fitted, so as to distribute an equal pressure on all the bearing parts. Unequal pressure is usually attended or followed by local injury, inflammatory tumor, and suppuration ; and the result " is *' fistulous withers.'' Nature of Fistulous Withers. — In the first stage a tumor, or inflammatory swelling, varying in size, is observed in the dorsal spinesTjiast at the top of the shoulder blade ; it appears hot and tender, £tnd resembles a common boil ; after a short time it suppu- rates, a>nd then may be considered as a common local abscess ; soon the matter accumulates, and then is apt to spread and burrow in various directions, and instances have occurred where the matter has burrowed beneath the scapula, and found its way to the point of the elbow. The fistulous condition, however, does not exist until the matter, by absorption, has created several canals, or " pipes," as they are sometimes called; the skin is then also broken, and we have a real case of fistulous withers. Occasionally the matter becomes so acrimonious and morbid that 30 TREATMENT OF DISEASES it acts on the spines of the dorsal vertebrae, and parts of them un- dergo ulceration, become detached, and finally have to be removed. In some cases of this character the stench arising from the same is almost intolerable, and at times the discharge is very copious, and in running over the shoulders denudes the parts of hair, and occa- sions superficial sores. The acrimonious and morbid condition of such matter is probably owing to a bad habit of body, or vitiation of the solids and fluids, which must be corrected by tonics, altera- tives, and suitable diet, ere the disease can be arrested. TiiEATMENT OF FISTULOUS WiTHERS. — When the small tumor (skin unbroken) is first discovered, a cold water dressing is to be applied, by means of a bandage. I usually apply a wet sponge, and confine it to the spot with a surcingle, frequently wetting the sponge. The patient should be confined to a light diet, and receive, in the form of drench, six drachms of nitrate of potass (saltpetre.) After the lapse of twenty-four hours, shoiild this treatment fiiil to reduce the tumor, and it has increased in size, it may be inferred that sup- puration has commenced, and matter is forming beneath the skin. So soon as matter, or^pus, can be detected (its presence may be known by the soflening and fluctuation,) I advise that an opening be made into it at its lowest margin, and large enough to admit of a free and complete discharge of its contents ; the cavity should be syringed out two or three times, with a small quantity of fluid ex- tract' of blood-root. It is important that this orifice should be kept open for several days, or until the discharge has about ceased. This is the most rational method of treating a case of this character in its early stage. The same rule applies to the treatment of all abscesses wherever situated, viz., whenever matter can be detected it should be immediately liberated, lest contiguous parts be injured. In some cases, however, a spontaneous abscess makes its appear- ance in the upper region of the shoulder blade, and often both sides are the seat of the same. They cannot be traced to any local inju- ry, for I have often known them to occur in colts that have never been harnessed ; therefore I term them spontaneous. In such cases I have found it best not to be in a hurry to open them, for suppura- tion is generally tardy, does not do much damage, may depend on morbid "habit and morbid action; which may be corrected by a few doses of iodide of potass and golden seal ; the dose of the same be- ing as follows : Iodide of potass, fluid extract of golden seal — four drachms per day. The local application in view of exciting absorp- tion is composed of — Tincture of Iodine 2 ounces. Tincture of Blood-root 8 " Oil of Cedar 1 " Sulphuric Ether 1 " , Mix, and rub into the tumefaction a portion of the above twice daily. After a few days' trial of the above, if the tumor does not decrease, but rather augments, the treatment must be disconthnied ; and if it be advisable to open the abscess, it can be done by means either of a lancet or seton. The after treatment consists in cleans- ing the parts, and in securing an open orifice at the lower part of the tumor, which will act as a drain to carry off the matter as fast as PECULIAR TO nOEBES. 31 it is secreted. I sometimes inject, by means of a syringe, a small quantity of pyroligneous acid daily, which acts both as an astrin- gent and antiseptic. In all cases of fistulous withers where the bones are involved, or fistulous pipes run in various directions, I advise the owner of the animal to secure the services of a veterinary surgeon, for it is impos- sible to put on paper all the information which the pficuliiirity or emergency of the case may require. INELAMMATION OF THE LUNGS. This case will serve to illustrate my treatment. On Sept. 20th, I was called to visit a roan gelding, tire property of a gentleman of Chicago. On arriving at the place designated by the owner, I found the annimal in the following state: Head hung down; the eyes lacking somewhat their usual bright- ness; respirations rapid and somewhat laborious; pulse quick and strong ; membranes of the mouth and nose of a highly reddened hue; legs cold; slight cough; refused his feed, and would not lie down, his forelegs standing Avide apart: these were the key-notes, and I accordingly pronounced the disease Pneumonia. Treatment. — I consider nursing to be of very great advantage in the cure of disease, and I forthwith ordered my patient to be placed in a clean stall, where he might have the advantage of inhaling pure air. I also had his body well clothed. His legs were freely rubbed w^ith straw, and flannel bandages were wound around all four limbs from the hoof up to the knees. As he was now in the acute stages of the disease, and highly inflammatory action being present, I administered by drench the following : Aconite 20 drops. Water , 2 ounces. I then had a thin bran mash placed before him, and cautioned the hostler to withhold all oats and corn. Towards evening I gave him by drench. Blood-root , 2 drachms. and left him for the day. Second Day. Called and found him in much the same state, although I could perceive the respirations were not so hurried as on the day previous ; but he retained the highly inflammatory state, and also had a morbid thirst for water. I placed a bucket of cold water before him, first placing in the water half an ounce of nitrate of potass. I also had his sides rubbed with Powdered Mustard, ) Mixed together so as to Vinegar, j form a paste. I took off* the bandages, and rubbed his legs well until I had pro- duced an equal circulation of the blood all over the parts. Third Day. Found my patient with encouraging symptoms ; his breathing was not so hard ; pulse falling ; legs not so cold, but he 32 TREATMENT OF DISEASES was begiuning to show symptoms of de-bility, I therefore admin- istered Golden Seal .1 ounce. Ginger 1 drachm. Glycerine 1 " The disease was now bordering on the chronic state, and in con- sideration of this fact, the treatment required was tonics and those medicines in whose proj^ertiey there are agents which will co-operate T^ith nature in sustaining vitality and life. I left a dose of the fol- lowing, to be given in four hours after the first dose which I had administered : Golden Seal 1 ounce. Iodide of Potass 15 grains. Blood-root 1 drachm. Fourth Day. This morning I considered my patient a far differ- ent horse from what he was when I first commenced with him. He began to show symptoms of activity; held his head more erect; his eyes appeared brighter and his legs were warmer, and his whole appearance had undergone a great change, and in a very short space of time. I gave him a tonic, namely : Tr. Golden Seal 1 ounce. and informed the owner that I would call in the morning. Fifth Day. After examining my patient, I ordered the bandages to be taken from his limbs, and had him walked around in the open air. The owner then mentioned to me that he thought he needed no further treatment. This suggestion I complied with, and discharged the case. This is only one of the many cases which go to show how medi- cines of a sanative character will act upon disease, and how few take into consideration what harm they are doing and the small amount of benefit the animal derives, when these individuals are pouring an apothecary's shop down an animal. In the above disease of Pneumonia, care must be taken as soon the animal shows any symptoms of complaint, to place him in a dry clean stall, in which place he has the benefits derived from an un- adulterated atmosphere. Whatever feed is placed before him should be of a sloppy character, such as bran mashes, &c. And bear in mind there are but two conditions, namely — acute and chronic, and they are to be treated accordingly. GUTTA SERENA — {Dilatation of the Pupil.) Gutta Serena, sometimes called "amaurosis," consists of paraly- sis of the optic nerve; the diagnostic symptom, or Jcey note of the disease, is dilatation and fixedness of the pupil of the eye, and if a lighted candle be held to the same, it does not contract like the pupil of an eye unaffected. The symptoms of this kind of blindness, independent of the above, are active muscular motions of the ears, and lifting the fore feet higher than usual from the ground. PECULIAR TO HORSES. 33 When Gutta Serena comes on in a slow and insidious manner, and has existed some time, it is sure to end in total blindness, but it is often a sympathetic affection, and subsides as soon as the disease which gave rise tO' it disappears. Whenever the affection is associ- ated with •other derangements, a mixture of golden seal and ginger, administered in two drachm doses once or twice daily, will afford relief. PARTIAL PARALYSIS IN MARES DURING THE PERIOD OF "HEAT" OR MENSTRUATION. My attention has often been called to 3Iares^ the subjects of a sort of hysterical affection, accompanied by partial paralysis of the hind extremities. It is quite common for mares that are barren to be afflicted wiUi this malady, for the simple reason that they are often the subjects of diseased ovaries. I once spayed a very valuable mare, a regular hysterical subject, who, me a cribber; hence, horses like men, are not benefited by keeping bad company. I am willing to admit that cribbers are not always in the best con- dition, although some of them have but little to do and plenty to eat ; in fact many such animals appear lank and lean, yet it will be no- ticed that they almost always have a bulky abdomen, which is gen- erally occupied by gas ; this gas is not swallowed in the act of crib- bing, as many persons suppose, but is generated within the stomach and intestines, in consequence of functional derangement of the diges- tive organs; hence, in plain language, most cribbers maybe con- sidered as the subjects of a most prevalent and fashionable malady, known to prevail among the members of the human species, called indigestion or dyspepsia. The following paragraph I select from Mr. PercivaPs writings, which is more authoritative than anything I may possibly offer: *' In general, crib-biting ought rather to be regarded as a vice oi habit than a disease; the latter I have never been able to regard it. Horses that are old crib-biters present the inconvenience of being faulty feeders— they require a great deal to satisfy them, and those which generate air in their stomachs are very subject to attacks oi windy colic." Finally, a crib-biter often grows poor, not because he is a cribber, but for the simple reason that in his dyspeptic condition the diges- tive organs fail to elaborate from the food the requisite amount oi chyme, chyle and bk>od, for the renovation and growth of the ani- mal fabric. CEREBRAL APOPLEXY. The following case will illustrate the pathology of the disease: I was requested a short time ago to visit an animal the subject oi cerebral apoplexy. Position of the Animal.— The position very clearly indicated disease of the brain, for he stood as if in the act of forging forwards, with his head against the sides of the crib,, and it was with con- siderable diffieulty that he could be made to "back," and when once out of the ctall he manifested unsteadiness as when attacked with staggers. Noticeable Symptoms.— The pulse at the angle of the jaw could scarcely be felt, showing a feeble action of the heart ; limbs and ears rather chilly ; the nasal membranes of a leaden or bluish cast. 44 TREATMENT OF DISEASES On turning up one of the eyelids, it appeared highly congested, presenting a uniform brown reddish tinge, occasioned by obstruction in the capillaries and a highly carbonized state of the blood. The respirations were tubulous and slightly stertorous, which signifies that the lungs w^ere not properly inflated, respiration being princi- pally carried on in the passages which lead to the lungs. Stertorous Bignities snoring, the act of inspiration being accompanied with a sort of snoring sound. On observing the flanks the respiration appeared labored and quickened, which led some persons present to infer that the animal had lung fever ; but on applying my ear to various parts of the region of the chest, I became satisfied that the lungs were healthy, and therefore pronounced the case as one of cerebral apoplexy^ as it proved to be. The flank movements, therefore, were of a purely mechanical or auxiliary character. PuoGNOsis. — Prognosis, which signifies foreknowledge of the course, event, or termination of disease, is sometimes impossible to foresee, and as regards this case, which appeared to be mild in the beginning, I was unwilling to predict an issue, or rather to foretell the event of the malady. The difficulties in the way of predicting with any degree of cer- tainty, were as follows : 1st, The animal was young and had always enjoyed perfect health, never having shown the least predisposi- tion to disease in any form. 2nd, Two days prior to the attack, he had been driven a long distance, and on arriving at his quarters ap- peared merely fatigued, and the groom noticed that his excrement was coated with slime, and from these circumstances we might rationally infer that the digestive organs were deranged ; hence the brain difficulty might possibly be of a sympathetic character; and if so, the patient might recover. I therefore informed the owner of my patient, that, if the disease was merely functional, he might expect recovery; if otherwise, the disease being organic, death would surely ensue. Treatment and Termination of the Case. — I administered diff*usible stimulants by tl>e mouth and rectum, applied counter irritants composed of turpentine, oil and ammonia; the limbs were rubbed with wisps of straw and then enveloped in flannel ; the region of the cranium (which was very hot) was bathed with cold water. Reaction took place, and the animal appeared more lively; the sur- face of the body regained its normal temperature, and to all appear- ance the condition of the patient was many removes from that of a dying creature; but alas for human calculation ! all at once he was seized with convulsions and suddenly died. Autopsy. — On removing a triangular piece of the cranium (scull) and its membrane, the superficial vessels of the brain appeared highly congested ; on puncturing the pia mater (the membranous covering proper of the brain), serum, or water, exuded, indicating dropsy of the brain, and a quantity of dark colored or highly car- bonized blood escaped, showing very conclusively that the cause of his sudden death was rupture of a blood vessel in the brain. PECULIAK TO HORSES. ENLARGEMENT OF THE SPLEEN. 45 A short time ago I visited a black gelding, aged nine years ; he had shown some symptoms of illness for several days, being rather dull and weak in his legs. On examination the following symptoms were noticed: pulse quite feeble; respiration natural; tongue coated with a brown secretion; mouth hot, and a foetid odor from the same is perceptible ; the visi- ble surfaces of the mouth are pale, yet have a yellow tinge ; the nasal membranes are of a leaden hue ; the head droops and the tips of the ears are chilly ; the patient is rather unwilling to move, and when urged to do so, exhibits a staggering gait ; the bowels are lax (the excrement appearing like cow manure,) and the owner of the animal informs me that the urine is scanty and dark colored. Percussion over the region of the liver (on the right side,) elicits an unusual dull sound, indicative of a diseased liver ; on percussing the left side in the region of the spleen, a solid sound is elicited, and an evident enlargement of the spleen is perceptible. Twelve hours after this examination the animal died. Record op the Autopsy. — On opening the abdominal cavity, the spleen was found to occupy a very large space ; it was of im- mense proportions, and weighed nearly twelve pounds (the ordinary weight is three pounds) ; it presented the appearance of a spleen in the chronic stage of disease — excessively enlarged and altered in structure; it was of a pitchy black color, and was surcharged with blood. The liver appeared to be much enlarged, hardened, and discolored, and on cutting into it, various small tubercular deposits were ex- posed ; all the other organs appeared to be healthy. A case of this kind is always beyond the reach of art — incurable. Remarks on the Spleen. — The spleen, known to bi^Btchers as the milt or melt^ is a spongy substance, located on the left side, be- tween the stomach and the false ribs. It presents a blue mottled appearance externally ; internally, it is dark colored. Its internal surface is concave, by which arrangement it is per- fectly adapted to occupy a locality of the stomach which in form is convex. The spleen, like other organs within the abdomen, receives a cov- ering from the peritoneum, and when this covering is stripped off, we discover a body soft, lacerable and spongy. It is supposed that the spleen does not perform any secretory function, and physiologists have hitherto failed in detecting any excretory vessel, or duct. In these respects it differs from all other glands of the body ; in fact, having neither secretory nor excretory vessels, it cannot, with propriety, be classed as a gland. The anatomy of the spleen is as follows : It is furnished with arteries, from the cseliac ; the casliac terminates in the splenic, and the splenic furnishes the spleen with blood (the " casliac" arises from the abdominal aorta) ; and these arteries, after being dispersed within the substance of the spleen, find innumerable ramifications, and ultimately terminate in cells of a membranous character ; from this IG TREATMENT OF DISEASES cell arrangement springs innumerable venous radicles. The spleen being very spongy, and porous, is capable of undergoing great dis- tension, without danger of rupture ; in fact, it sometimes acquires an enormous size, without loss of continuity. The spleen is deli- cately organized with nerves, and presents an intricate net- work of absorbents ; the nerves of the spleen are given oif from the caeliac plexus. Notwithstanding the fact that the spleen does not perform the functions just alluded to, it is a very important organ, and serves as a diverticulum to the liver; when thus employed it tends to prevent congestion of the liver. BIG-HEAD AND BIG-JAW. Preliminary. — The terms big-head and big-jaw are used by husbandmen and others in Ohio, and indeed throughout the great "West and South, to designate a disease of the bony structure of the horse, a disease about which very little, of a reliable character, has ever been said or w^ritten. Yet the subject is one of great im- portance to the people of this country, for the simple reason that the evil is one of alarming proportions, and should the disease multiply in a ratio equal to that of the few past years, it will be a terrible blow to the laudable and hitherto profitable enterprise of raising colts, in sections where this disease prevails. I do not w^ish to create any unnecessary alarm, but I urge the hus- bandmen of the South and South-West, to give this subject their earnest consideration ; for the disease probably has an heredi- tary origin — " is inbred," and that, as the saying is, " constitutes the root of the evil," and the disease having been pronounced incura- ble, our only hopes of success in putting a stop to its propagation and development, is to adopt preventive measures by rejecting, as breeders, all animals — sire and dam — that show the least predisposi- tion to or for this affection. Let the reader understand that the disease itself is incurable, in so far as the enlargement, dilatation, and softening of the jaw bones is concerned; yet like spavin, ring- bone and various other diseases, it is accompanied, in certain stages, by lameness, and our services as physicians, are only secured in view of removing this lameness, so that the animal may be enabled to perform the ordinary equine duties; this is what some persons please to term a cure, w^hereas, it almost always happens that some altera- tion in the structure of the parts remains, which actually renders the horse unsound, because he has that about him, which may from over- work, or other exciting causes, impair his usefulness. As regards the "alarming" features of big-head or big-jaw, I would inform the reader, that almost every lame horse, examined by me during a period of six months, had either one or the other of the jaws enlarged; in some cases one angle of the lower jaw was the seat of thickening and enlargement, but among the majority both angles were affected.* * These remarks do not apply to other obvious or accidental lamenesses which are also constantly occurrics. PECULIAE TO HOESES. 47 A short time ago, I visited, in company with a practicing veteri- narian, whose attention had never been called to this affection, three horses, the subjects of lameness, which was said to be occasioned by eating Hungarian grass: to the astonishment of the parties con- cerned, I demonstrated that they were all the subjects of enlargements of the lower jaws, and from the history of thecases and the charac- ter of the lameness, it was very evident, that it was of an articular character, and this is a peculiar feature of this affection. Then again the reader must bear in mind, that the jaws of animals do not dilate nor enlarge suddenly, nor make appearance all at once, like a meteor in regions of space; the affection is insidious, progresses in an almost imperceptible manner, and usually escapes the notice of those who daily have charge of and handle the animal, as the following case, which is selected from among many others, will serve to illustrate : About eighteen months ago a gentleman purchased what then ap- peared as a tine family horse, a sorrel gelding, aged five years. About the beginning of March, one year after the purchase, in attempting to walk the animal from one stable to another, but a short distance off, he became suddenly lame in one of the hind limbs — low down towards the foot — and it was found almost impossible to urge him forward; finally assistance was procured, and the animal had, literal- ly, to bo carried into a stable. My services having been secured, I visited the sufferer, and found him standing on three legs, the near hind one being placed resting on the toe ; the parts around the coro- net were hot, and the patient was very unwilling to have the part handled; he seemed to suffer much pain, was breathing hurriedly, and the pulsations were quick and wiry ; the near approach of any person seemed to terrify the animal, and he actually trembled from fear and pain, when ordered to move. On making an examination of the jaws, I found that both angles of the lower jaw were enlarged to about two inches in thickness ; this explained the nature of the sudden, and otherwise mysterious lameness ; the articulating sur- faces of various bones, and the bones themselves, had become dis- eased, as is often the case in big-jaw. The owner assured me that the horse had never before been lame, and he was very much sur- prised to find the lower jaw enlarged. Here the reader will perceive that the animal had been in Mr. W.'s possession one year, had per- formed ordinary labor, yet was the subject of a gradual enlargement of the jaw, and a constitutional disease, which probably existed, yet in a slight degree, at the time of purchase ; hence I contend that the disease in its early stages is of a hidden or insidious character, and requires some tact and knowledge of the subject in order to -de- tect it. Natttre op the Disease. — Big-hcadi and big-jaw, are but -on© form of disease, only located in different parts. When the upper one becomes the seat of affection, an enlargement of the facial bones will be observed, and the examiner's attention will be attracted by the unnatural appearance of the face; as the disease progresses, the face looks more like that of an elephant than of a horse, and now the disease being incurable, the subject should mercifully be put out of his misery. The enlargement of the lower jaw is discovered by manipulation. 4:8 TREATMENT OF DISEASES On removing the skin from the sides of the face of such a subject, and dissecting the muscles and periosteum (covering of bone), th^ bones appear to have undergone a softening process, and particles can be separated by means of the finger nails ; at the same time if a transverse section of any of the shall bones be made, they will be found to have undergone structural changes; for example, thoy will not only appear softened but honey-combed, and many of the Jaminse and cartilaginous braces will have been decomposed or dissolved, so that the bone looks like fibrous net work. In most cases, the vacui- ties and canals are filled with material resembling soft cheese, which is probably fatty matter; this occasionally degenerates into pus. Dr. Gordon forwarded me, some time ago, the head of a horse who had long been the subject of this malady. The transverse di- ameter of the bones of both upper and lower jaw, was very much enlarged ; the periosteum was very highly organized with bloodness ; the bones were softened and elastic, and could be easily cut with a knife. On submitting them to the acid test, earthy matter was found in excess, and by burning them, it was found that they contained very little animal matter; hence I was led to infer that the disease is one of mal-nutrition. The articular surfaces of various bones, and sometimes all the bones of the body, are often ulcerated and studded with incrusta- tions; this explains the why and wherefore of the sudden and tor- menting pains which animals suffer, and goes to show how little of benefit can be expected from the ordinary treatment, which is prin- cipally directed to the enlarged jaws. On removing these diseased cartilages from the articulating sur- faces of bones, the latter are found to be affected — in fact, ulcerated. In some cases the ligaments and tendons araseparated by decompo- sition or necrosis of bone, and the animal "breaks down," as the saying is. The subjects of this disease sometimes show lameness in the ver- tebral region, and in that of the head of the thigh bone; in such cases we may safely infer that the Jameness is of an articular char- acter, and tlie inter articular cartilages, as well as the surfaces of the bones, are incrustrated and ulcerated; in this condition the ani- mal is liable to become useless, "or break down" at any moment The following briefcase will illustrate what is meant by " breaking- down:" I was requested a short time ago by Prof. Muzzy to examine an aged gray gelding, the subject of lameness in the nearjliind foot; examination revealed considerable heat, tenderness and tumefaction around both the hind coronets, and both angles of the lower jaw much enlarged in their transverse diameters. I advised the owner to let the animal have a run at grass; accordingly he was sent into the country, about thirty miles (which waS too long a journey for him) ; a few days afterwards Frof. Muzzy received a letter, stating that the horse's strings (tendons) became loose, that he broke dow'n and traveled on his fetlocks, and was then dead. I infer that necro- sis took place and the extensor tendons lost their attachment, which accounted for his "breaking down." Prof Varnell lately consulted Dr. Harley of London in reference to this formidable malady, which is said to have been almost unknown PECULIAR TO HORSES. 49 in England until November, 1859, when several cases occurred among some horses, the property of Mr. Champion Calcot, near Reading. Three of this gentleman's animals had died, a fourth was not ex- pected to live many days, and two others were laboring under the same disease, in a less acute form. The most singular feature of the disease, as it appeared on the premises of Mr. Calcot, were, that it did not appear to owe its origin to any perceivable cause, and it was not known to be prevalent in any other part of England. Still, my opinion is that it does exist in that country, only not being sus- pected is not sought for. It prevails very extensively among horses brought to Ohio, and hundreds of horses are purchased for the American army in the course of a few months, having more or less enlargement of the lower jaw, yet I do not belive that either seller or purchaser suspects the same. This arises from a lack of know- ledge on the subject, and the same remarks, so far as our ignorance of the subject is concerned, may apply to England. In answer to questions put to Mr. Calcot on the subject of m^an- agement, &c., he contends that the aflected animals had plenty of exercise; there were no chemical factories or .works in the vicinity; one horse affected was purchased at a distance, the rest had been bred on his farm; the sires and dams ail appeared free from the dis- ease, and they were not all got by the same sire; the food consisted of good grass, hay, pollard, oatmeal and roots: other horses were on the farm, fed in tlie same manner as the affected ones, yet they had no symptoms of the disease (perhaps they will show symptoms when the jaws shall be examined — they may have the disease, yet not be lame or apparently ailing.) Mr. Calcot never saw a case of the kind before. From the above testimony, we may infer that the causes of this affection are not yet discovered in England, but my impression is, that overfeeding has a good deal to do in the produc- tion of the malady. It appears to me that this disease, as I have already written, is one of raal-nutrition or defective nourishment ; hence, may be con- sidered as a scorbutic affection, like that affecting the human sub- ject, which is known to be the result of faulty nutrition, and which often results in division of bony parts which were once immovable — the epiphysis of the pelvis for example — also in the separation of cartilages from the ribs, and the shaft bones softened and ruined by caries, ulceration or death of bones. N'ame op the Disease. — Big-head and big-jaw are terms suffi- ciently explicit in ordinary conversation; but in view of scientific inquiry it is necessary to employ terms indicative of the pathology of the disease. We cannot expect, however, to select any one name that shall apply to all the pathological conditions, duriiig the rise, progress and termination of this peculiar malady ; the condition of the bones, are : a state of enlargement, softening, and degenera- tion of the same. The disease is known to veterinary surgeons as osteo-po7'osis. Cause of the Disease.— I have already informed the reader that the disease may have an heredicary origin ; otherwise, I can- not account for its universal prevalence, in certain localities, under the ordinary modes of feeding and general management. I grant 4 50 TREATMENT OF DISEASES \ that, at first, the disease might have had an accidental or sjfontane- ous origin, and finally become permanent and transmissible ; for example, glanders and farcy afford illustrations of a spontaneous disease becoming contagious and transmissible. There must have been a time when neither of the two latter diseases existed ; hence, when the first subject became glandered he could not have taken it by infection or by contagion, but it must have had a spontaneous origin, and finally, became permanent. I do not pretend to urge that the active disease itself is transmis- sible, yet, in certain cases, a predisposition is transferred to the progeny. This may be called the predisposing cause ; the ordinary exciting causes are those which disturb and derange the digestive function. The digestive or nutritive function is deranged, both by excessive and defective functional labors, or by the animal existing on food that does not contain the necessary amount of nitrogenous or muscle-making matter. This is the case when Indian corn is used as food for a great length of time; it is hard to digest, is defi- cient in nitrogen, and almost always over-distends the stomach ; for, when submitted to the action of heat and the gastric fluids, it in- creases in bulk to about six times its original capacity. I liave no- ticed that where much whole corn is fed, as in Ohio and Indiana, the disease is most prevalent. Associated with the predisposing and exciting causes, are others : for example, hard usage, sore abuse, and bad stable management. This disease is rarely ever heard of in England, and this may be owino: to the fact that the food there furnished to horses is rich in phosphates and nitrogen, while corn contains more of starchy matter ; which, instead of furnishing material for the prepa- ration of muscular or animal matter, merely furnishes that which is consumed in the process of respiration. Trea-tment op the Disease. — The ordinary treatment, as prac- ticed by some persons, is to bore into the jaw-bone and inject the same with some corrosive poison; others expose the jaw-bone, and saw out a section of the same ; some persons blister, or apply preparations of iodine. Such treatment, I think, only tends to create unnecessary irritation and pain, and cannot possibly be of any ben- efit, for I contend that the disease is not local, but constitutional ; and the reader will, probably, after perusing this article, come to the same conclusion. The disease has extensive ramifications in various parts of the bony fabric, and therefore the local treatment must fail in curing the malady. Cases may arise w^hich require surgical operations, and if so, I have no objections to offer. I have often been told that horses, after having all sorts of bar- barities practiced on them, have recovered ; this, so far as the treat- ment is concerned, is in accordance with the spirit of the old error. *' He got well after taking my medicine ; therefore, in consequence of taking it." This is assuming a falsehood as a fact, and then giving fanciful reasons for it. In view both of prevention and cure of this organic disease ot the bones and their articulations, more is to be accomplished by regimen than by medicine. The animal should alwa\ s be provided with wholesome diet, and whenever green vegetables can be ob- PECULIAR TO HORSES. 61 tained, they should be fed liberally, or, what is much better, provided the season permits, let the animal roam in a pasture. Whenever I have a case of this kind under treatment, I furnish apples, beets, carrots, cabbages, or any other kind of vegetable that I can procure, and I find that such articles are usually devoured with a good relish. The object in feeding green food is to combat the scorbutic diatheses which usually exists. The patient should also be allowed from five to seven quarts of oats per day. When a horse with enlargement of the lower or upper jaw is suddenly attacked with acute lameness, he should be placed in a wide stall, and the parts where the lameness appears to be located, as well as the jaws, should be diligently rubbed, twice daily, with a portion of the following : Spirits of Camphor 6 ounces. Cod Liver Oil 4 " Oil of Cedar 2 « Diluted Acetic Acid 1 pint Mix. Then procure the following : Chlorate of Potass 2 ounces. Powdered Gimjer 4 " « Gentian 3 « « Podophyllum 2 " « Poplar Bark 6 *' Mix. - Dose : one ounce night and morning, to be incorporated with the food. This treatment usually palliates the lameness. Should it not do so, the owner must be patient and give nature time to restore the animal to comparative usefulness. TETANUS. Preliminary. — Two cases of Tetanus having lately occurred in my practice in the city of St. Louis, and both terminating favorably, I have thought that I could not do a better service to the readers of this work than to give them the facts. The treatment was so simple that any one might undertake the same feat, and I think that such treatment is more likely to be successful than the old-fashioned method. So far as my experience goes, I am satisfied that we are apt to do too much (over-medicate) in this, as well as in other diseases; and it often happens that the recuperative powers of na- ture have to contend, not only with the original malady, but also with one of a medicinal character, created by over-dosing ; and per- haps this is the reason that has led some veterinary writers to con- tend that " tetanic affections, arising in consequence of a punctured woundy are almost always sure to prove fataV* Nature of Tetanus. — Tetanus must not be confounded with trismus^ or locked jaw, yet the former may run into the latter, and 53 TREATMENT OF DISEASES does really belong to the same class and order. Tetanus is charac- terized, however, by the same rigidity of various muscles of the body, yet at the same time the jaws are not locked, the animal has not lost, entirely, the power of swallowing, can drink and eat a little and take medicine ; whereas, in complete locked jaw, the spasm ex- tends to the muscles of the pharynx^ rendering it impossible, while the spasm lasts, for the patient to swallow. Tetanus is supposed to depend on irritation, directly or indirectly, of the excito-motor system (true spinal cord.) If this be true, and I have no reason to doubt it, then all surgical operations, in view of removing the cause, are not only useless, but injurious, for the mal- ady has migrated beyond the reach of the surgeon's knife. I now introduce a brief report of the " cases." Case 1. March 1, 1862, I was requested to visit a bay gelding, aged eight years, the property of Captain Silva. The messenger informed me that the animal was " all stiffened up." On arrival I noticed the following spmptoms : On applying my hand over the region of the neck, the muscles felt hard and rigid ; the eyes had a sort of squinting appearance; the nose protruded ; the ears were erect and stationary ; the nostrils were expanded to their utmost capacity; the head, neck and trunk appeared quite rigid, so that it was impossible to coax or compel the animal to turn "short round," — in other w^ords, describe a circle ; the abdomen appeared " tucked up," in consequence of a rigid condition of its walls ; the hind limbs were straddling, and the fore ones occupied a forward position, an- terior to the axis of the shoulder-blade ; the bowels were constipated ; the pulse wiry, and the respirations accelerated and laborious. These symptoms constitute the key-note of the malady. I might, if I felt disposed, entertain the reader with an elaborate article on the regular veterinary craftsman's theory of the progressive symptoms ; but the intelligent reader will infer that as the disease progresses, the symptoms multiply and vary, therefore it is not good policy for me to introduce secondary symptoms, for they only tend to obscure the real nature of the disease. Treatment. — I rubbed the neck and back with a portion of the following; Cod Liver Oil 1 pint. Oil of Cedar .4 ounces. Sulphuric Ether 3 " The parts were rubbed once daily for a period of ten days. Dur- ing this time the animal got four drachms, night and morning, of the Fluid Extract of Indian Hemp {Cannabis IncUcus). The horse was located on the Bellefontaiu road, ten miles from the city, conse- quently I did not see him as often as I wished; but a faithful servant had charge of the horse, and I think he paid proper attention to my directions. At the end of three weeks all symptoms of Tetanus had entirely disappeared. The disease was occasioned by a punctured wound in the near fore foot. June 6, 1862. Capt. S, this day brought my patient to the city for treatment for atro^yliy of the natscles of the shoulder (commonly known as sioeeney.) The muscles of the shoulder-blade, known as PECULIAR TO HORSES. 53 the Antea and Postea Spinatus, are completely wasted away, so that the spine of the shoalder-blade and the bead of the humerus are un- natm-ally prominent, on the 7iear side. The animal is still under treatment, and appears to be doing well. Case 2. Mr. Wells, residing on Madison street, in this city, requested me, May 25, to visit a horse, tlie subject of Tetanus. I was informed that the aaimal had accidentally " picked up a nail ;" the nail had been withdrawn, and the part was dressed by a black- smith. On making an examination of the case, the symptoms were about the same as those observed in case No. 1. I treated the pa- tient on the same general principles, — administered Indian Hemp^ and lubricated the surface of the body with the same kind of lini- ment. In the course of fourteen days the aniiiftal had so far recov- ered that I left him to the care of the proprietor. TYPHOID PNEUMONIA. The followinix will illustrate the nature of the disease and mode of treatment : Recorded Symptoms of the Disease. — On the 4th of March my attention was called to three horses brought here by Mr. C, of and from Indiana. As their symptoms were precisely similar, I shall only describe those of one — a fine stallion aged eight years : he stood with his head pendulous, his fore limbs wide apart, and from the period of his arrival, three days, had not made any attempt to lie down. His respirations were much quickened; expiration, accom- panied by a sort of subdued grunt, indicative of pain, and showing that the lining membrane of the cavity of the chest was involved in the disease. The pulse was quick, yet feeble, showing that the ani- mal was somewhat prostrated, and had actually been sick for many days, although the owner thought difterently. The visible surfaces of the mouth presented a very peculiar appearance, although nOt unusual in a disease of this character. They were of a light ma- hogany color, and the lining membrane of the nostrils was of a light leaden hue. Auscultation and percussion practiced over the thoracic region, revealed tubular respiration ; also, that the chest was occupied by a considerable quantity of water ; the breath had a bad odor, and the patient had no relish for food, and most of the time he was in a state of stupor. These were the most noticeable symptoms at the period of my first visit. On questioning the owner, he admitted that all three of the horses appeared a little dull, were weak — easily fatigued — and through very little exertion would sweat, and their appetite was not good. This is the case with most typhoid affections : they begin without any warning other than slight dullness, weakness, and some disturb- ance of the digestive organs, and it is only when typhoid pneumonia becomes seated on the lungs, as shown by difficult respiration and other physical signs, that the owner ia aware of the horse being really sick. The stud alluded to, was treated on the stimulating, antiseptic, aiid alterative plan, during a period of sixteen days, and was rapidly 54 TREATMENT OF DISEASES convalescing, but the owner grew impatient, and put him on board the boat, when in the course of twenty- four hours he died. The other two animals did not survive their arrival in this city over twenty -four hours ; notwithstanding the most rational treatment they died of a complication of thoracic and abdominal disease. During the progress of the malady, tliey had a discharge of viscous matter, which adhered in thick incrustations around the margins of the nostrils, and they suffered excruciating torment from sharp ab- dominal pains, and their dung was liquid and bloody ; shortly before death, their tongues acquired a brown color, and their gums and teeth were covered with a dirty slime ; parts of the body were be- dewed with cold, clammy sweats ; the evacuations became very fetid, and all the other sypiptoms greatly aggravated ; soon they staggered and fell, never to rise again. It is probable that this disease assumed the enzootic type ; it was for a short time very fatal, especially when treated on the anti-phlo- gistic plan ; in fact, so far as my knowledge goes, every horse so treated, died. The only chance of bringing this malady to a favorable termina- tion was to commence the treatment early, and then by the use of sanitive stimulants and tonics sustain the vital powers, and thus keep the patient alive while the disease ran its course. The agents used in the above case were, ginger, poplar bark, chlorate of potass, and iodide of potass. DROPSY OF THE BRAIN. Operation on a Horse for Dropsy op the Brain. — The sub- ject of the above named disease was a bay gelding, aged seven years. The animal had been out of health for a few days. When my atten- tion was called to him, I found him down on the right side ; from appearances I should judge that he had struggled considerably, but his struggles must have been of an unconscious and involuntary character, as the pupil of the eye w^as amaurotic, and he was com- pletely insensible to the prick of a pin. Occasionally the patient would go into convulsions, kick with his limbs, and dash his head about, not knowing what he did. It was noticed that he often jerked his head backwards, as horses will do when the subjects of dropsy of the brain. Having satisfied myself that this was a case of dropsy of the brain — hydrocephalus — and there being but very little if any chance of ever saving the subject, I obtained the owner's consent to trepan or trephine my patient, and then draw off the fluid. The operation was performed as follows : having selected a point at about the centre of the parietal bones, I made a crucial — cross- shaped — incision, through the integuments, and dissected them for a small circumference from the bone ; I than introduced the trephine a little on one side of the suture, or ridge, and after sawing com- pletely through the bone, removed a piece of the circumference of half a dime. I now sent a curved trocar and canula, between the lobes of the brain, down into the lateral ventricles, and after with- PECULIAR TO HORSES. 55 drawing the trocar — cutting instrument — about two-thirds of a tumbler full of water — serum — ran through the canula. Shortly after this the wound in the integuments was closed ; not completely, however, for small quantities of serum still escaped, and wore Bujffered to do so. Up to the time of performing this operation — that is, since my first visit — the patient was sightless, and insensible in every part of his body to the prick of a pin, but so soon as the fluid was removed from the interior of the brain, his sight and sensibility returned, and continued for forty-eight hours, when the horse gradually relapsed into a comatose or insensible condition ; and now, at the end of five days after the operation on his brain, it was decided that he could not recover, hence the owner ordered him to be killed. Remarks on the above Case. — This horse was not a very good subject on which to test the merits of this formidable operation ; he had been over-fed, and was rather plethoric ; then again, the weather was excessively sultry, and he had very bad quarters, and very little attention. I have, however, some hopes that this operation may ultimately prove successful, when the right subject is selected, and when the patient has proper care and attention ; and should it prove successful, some valuable lives might be saved. If this operation shall prove successful on the horse, why may it not, when performed on man, for hydrocephalus ? SPLENIC APOPLEXY. During my residence in Ohio I had occasion to visit a number of animals, the subjects of Splenic Apoplexy. I found that most of them had been over-fed, and were in a state of plethora, hence to prevent the malady, the farmer must dip a lighter hand into the meal bag. My impression is that apoplexy, wherever it locates, in the bodies of either horses or cattle, is very apt to prove fatal ; there may be occasional recoveries, but these are exceptions, and not the rule. The authorities contend that in all cases of animals sti'icken with this malady, the premonitory symptoms are of short duration ; they may be observed at night to appearance in the enjoyment of full health, on the morrow they may be dead. Symptoms of Splenic Apoplexy. — When an opportunity is af- forded of observing the development of the earliest symptoms, characteristic of this malady, they will be found to be somewhat of the following nature : appetite somewhat impaired ; countenance of an anxious appearance ; visible mucous surfaces, a mixture of dull red and yellow ; pulse somewhat full, and may range as high as sev- enty; respirations quickened; tenderness along the course of the spine. The patient will occasionally stumble and fall ; he grinds his teeth, and an augmented secretion of saliva is seen to dribble from the mouth. The bowels are usually active, and the excrement is sufficiently soft, yet of a dark color ; when too soft, the patient is afflicted with 56 TEEATMEXT OF DISEASES colicky pains, gets down in torment, and often goes into convulsions, and soon dies. The urine has a very peculiar appearance : it varies from pink to a dark brown color. The diagnostic symptom of splenic apoplexy, with enlargement of the same, is a notable enlargement on the left side of the abdomen, well up towards the ribs; on standing right behind the animal, ajid casting one's eye carefully along the sides of the abdominal walls, a perceptible eminence will be seen, which cannot be mistaken. The region of the spleen is between the stomach and false ribs, on the left side. When the spleen is not enlarged, but merely congested^ then we resort to percussion in order to detect the same. The cause of death in splenic apoplexy is an abdominal accumu- lation and effusion of blood, in the interior of the spleen, with rup- ture of its constituent texture ; and it is safe to infer that the disease is primarily the result of a deranged or diseased condition of the assira- ilator}^ system, occasioned by errors in diet. The curative treatment of splenic apoplexy is very unsatisfactory ; but in case of enlarge- ment of the spleen, we may often succeed in aiding nature to cure the malady, by administering iodide of potass and vegetable tonics. e:mbryotomy. The operation of embryotomy, as practiced by veterinarians, sig- nifies dismemberment — disembowelment, &c., of the foetal colt — located within the uterus and vagina. I presume that very few persons, unless they understand the anatomy of the parts, would like to undertake this formidable operation ; yet it has often been the means of saving the lives of very many valuable breeding mares ; hence I propose, in a brief manner, to give the readers of this work some idea of the modus operandi. The instrument used in the practice of embryotomy, is a crooked beak-pointed knife, which can be so concealed in the hand as not to be capable of doing any injury. Mode of Operation. — Having introduced the knife within the uterine cavity, I run my hand along the foetal limb to the top of the shoulder, if possible, and there turn the knife and send its beak point through the integument, and slit the same to the region of the knee ; a slip-noose is affixed to the fetlock, and while an assistant is making steady traction on the same, I loosen the integument from the limb, then by a little dexterity in the use of the knife at the top of the shoulder, and elsewhere, the whole leg is drawn away. After amputating the shoulder, I make an incision through the cartilages of the ribs, this exposes the whole of the thoracic viscera, which I remove. If the bulk of the colt appears to be sufficiently removed to insure its extraction, I affix a noose to the remaining fore leg and by traction remove the carcass; the only difficulty in the way of a prompt extraction occurs, ofttimes, in consequence of the foetal head being bent round on the opposite side of the chest ; but under ordi- PECULIAR TO HOKSES. 67 nary circumstances the colt can be extracted without proceeding to disembowel it or decapitate it. If, however, either of the latter operations will facilitate the birth, I should certainly perform one or the other, or both. . , . x . ^v Havintr extracted the whole of the foetus, I next remove the placentalmd membranes, and then drench the mare with fluid extract of ^in^er half an ounce; tincture of matico, one ounce; warm water, <)ne quart; this will improve the condition of the prostrate animal, and insure contraction of the uterus. ., • ... The uterine expulsive power, so favorable to the liberation ot the colt, if dormant, can readily be aroused by administering a stimu- lating drench. VETERINARY MIDWIFERY. BKEKCH PRESENTATION. I was requested, some time ago, to visit a valuable mare, she havino- been in labor some five or six hours without effecting deliv- ery. t)n arrival I was informed that every effort had been made to remove the foetus, that six men having a rope attachecfto the same, had been pulling " might and main" without success ; that finally a pair of inules wis harnessed to the legs of the unborn ! In spite of this rough and unwarrantable treatment the mare still survived, and had"^ strong uterine pains. On examination I found that it was a case of breech presentation — hind feet present- ing ; the long diameter of the foetal pelvis opposed to the short diameter of that of the mother. I merely pushed the foetus back- ward and changed the position of the same, brought the long diam- eter of the pelvis of the-'one, in apposition with that of the other ; and in the course of fivQ,minutes, with the assistance of one man, delivered the mare of a dead colt. Remarks.— Such cases, I am informed, are constantly occurring, and very often the life of a valuable mare is thus sacrificed at the shrine of ifmorance ; this is not a matter that^ would warrant any member oi'^our profession in scolding about ; it is a subject which demands our serious attention, and all our efiorts as philanthropists and christian men, should be exercised for the purpose of putting a stop to *he perpetration of similar barbarities. The only remedy, as I understand the subject, is the establishment of Veterinary Col- leo-es and Schools throughout the length and breadth of these United Stiites ; and I entreat the readers of this work, to use their means and influence for the purpose of educating men for the responsible duties of veterinary surgeons. It may be gratifying to our readers to know how the above case terminated, hence I append the following extract from my " case book." ^ ^ ^ , After delivery, the mare appeared perfectly prostrated ; pulse, at the angle of the jaw, almost indistinct ; extremities cold ; tips of the cars and lips icy cold ; visible surfaces pale ; respiration labori- ous, and the prognosis was unfavorable. 58 TREATMENT OF DISEASES Treatment. — Administered diffusible stimulants, and drenched the patient with two quarts of hot gruel seasoned with stimulating condiments; in the course of two hours after delivery, the mare got, up and commenced grazing apparently with good relish; she gradu- ally improved and finally recovered. CANKER IN THE FEET OF HORSES. Canker is a disease of the tissues of the foot, affecting the sensi- tive parts of the frog and sensitive sole, and consists in a production of a morbid growth known as fungus. In former years it was very prevalent in the large livery stables of the city of London; there it was suj^jDosed to rage as an epizootic affection, and often appeared in a very malignant form. At later periods, in consequence of an improved system of stable manage- ment, and the presence of educated veterinary surgeons, the disease is less prevalent, and is robbed of its greatest terrors. It is probable that this disease, like many others, "lurks in breed," for it has been observed that a great proportion of the subjects afflicted with this malady are of coarse breed or organization, having much coarse hair on their limbs, and the same animals have large and flat feet. Canker usually attacks the hind feet; these parts being most remote from the central organs of circulation, are very apt to become the seat of this affection whenever circumstances are favorable to its production. The circumstances favorable for the production of canker are predisposition. Taking a common sense view of this affection, it appears to resem- ble that very formidable disease known, in human medicine, as cancer^ for if allowed to progress, the disease acquires a deep seated origin, and spreads from frog to sole, and around the toe and quarters, and like cancer it often flourishes with a peculfkr luxuriance ; yet, after all, common canker, as it occurs in horses, is not identical with hu- man cancer, for, on microscopical examination we fail to find the true scirrhus, or cancerous change of the morbid tissues. The treatment of canker is as follows: Bathe the parts freely with pyroligneous acid, and then cover the cankerous surfaces with pow- dered blood-root. The dressing must be renewed often, and the parts should be completely covered with the blood-root as often as it is removed by abrasion or otherwise. The constitutional treatment is as follows: Give the horse, daily, twenty grains of iodide of potass, and forty grains of powdered blood-root, either in the form of drench, or otherwise. Should the animal not recover under this form of treatment, the case may be considered as incurable. UMBILICAL HERNIA. Umbilical Hernia, commonly known as rupture^ often occurs in colts, and in fact is often congenital — exists at birth. The sac, or pendulous bag, is located in the region known as the " navel," or PECULIAR TO HORSES. 59 umbilical region; the sac sometimes acquires magnitude so as to j)resent an " eye sore," or unsightly appearance, which very fre- quently impairs the value and usefulness of the animal. In former days a very barbarous operation was occasionally per- formed for the removal of the enlargement, which was performed in the following manner: the animal, after being cast, was placed on his back ; in this position the bowel generally receded into the abdom- inal cavity, then three or four skewers were inserted through the walls of the loose skin, and then ligatures were applied. This inter- rupted the circulation of blood through the parts, and the superfluous skin sloughed off, at the same time the internal parts cf the sac united, and in this way the " eye sore" was sometimes got rid of; but unfortunately death often ensued, either as the result of perito- nitis, or of locked jaw. The safest mode of treatment now adopted, is that of continuous pressure : " It consists of a common girth, properly shaped to the body, having? a stiff piece of oval-shaped leather introduced inferiorly, to come in contact with the rupture. This should be buckled on mod- erately tight, and retained in its situation as follows : place a common collar on the animal's neck, to which three straps are attached, one on each side and the other at the brisket. Two pieces of webbing should be attached to the main girth with buckles at the opposite end, to meet the side straps, and a piece of leather, instead of web- bing, to meet the brisket one. This latter should be forked or split, part of the way, so as to admit of its being attached to the oval piece of leather covering the rupture. These are then to be buckled to the straps coming from the collar, by which means the girth is held in its proper position. Over the whole a common surcingle may be placed, just behind the elbows, (the usual girthing place,) in order to keep the whole snug and close to the body. " The animal, thus harnessed, should be turned into a loose box and fed well, the object being to force the system as much as possible. The best time for applying the truss is when the animal is taken from the mare. In a general way, about three months' wear of the truss will be found sufficient to effect a cure. The modus operandi appears to be this : pressure keeps the bowels within the abdomen, thereby giving the aperture an opportunity of closing, which in many cases it will do most completely. But even should it not, you may depend upon its not getting larger. The bowel, from the general develop- ment going on in the system, hastened by the good keep, will soon do so,"i. e., get larger,* and consequently will not dip into the same opening, even shoutd it remain. Partial or complete adhesion of the sides of the sac will take place, followed by an entire removal of the unsightly pendulous bag, with its contents, which constituted the disease." LYMPHATITIS. Preliminary. — Lymphatitis is a disease known to occur among horses of the lymphatic temperament, affecting the superficial lym- phatics of the hind extremities ; causing swelling, heat and tender- 60 TREATMENT OF DISEASES ness of the parts. The disease is known to occur among horses of " coarse breed," and the more advanced in age such an animal may be, the more subject is he to this affection ; provided, however, he be of the lymphatic or lazy temperament. Various names have been applied to this affection; for example,, in Scotland it is known as loeed^ thick-leg, water-farcy, sbot-o'grease, &c., &c., — names which throw not the least light on the nature of the affection. Cause of the Malady. — The indirect cause is predisposition, which lurks in breed ; the ordinary exciting cause or causes are, errors in diet, over- work and mismanagement when at work (which signifies exposure to storms, &c., and ill usage,) hard pulls and poor fodder. Case of Lymphatitis. — On visiting the patient, I was informed that the disease commenced with a paroxysm — or fit — of shivering, very suddenly. 1 found the animal standing on three legs ; the near hind one — the seat of disease — was flexed and held about twelve inches from the floor. The affected limb was hot, tender and swol- len, and the glands, or lymphatics of the groin, were " corded," or enlarged. On the inner surface of the thigh a number of corded lymphatics, or minute elevations, under the true skin, could be dis- tinctly felt, and on exploring and gently squeezing the same, the patient would suddenly catch up the limb from sheer pain. The pulse was very wiry, and so quick that it was impossible to count the beats. This case was treated by means of diuretics and tonics, adminis- tered internally, and the swollen limb was bathed as often with an infusion oi i^lantago major — common plantain. In the course of six days the animal had entirely recovered. RINGBONE— ITS NATURE, CAUSE AND TREATMENT. Nature of Ringbone. — The term ringbone, signifies a bony en- largement, in the region of the coronet. The ring is formed of osseous incrustations or deposits on the pastern, and sometimes the lateral cartilages are changed into bone ; at other times the disease commences on the articulatory surfaces ; in such case the horse may commence to go lame some time before any enlargement makes its appearance ; the disease is then termed inter -articular y soon, how- ever, the disease spreads, and the usual change in the form of the parts is very perceptible, and the action of one or more joints be- neath the cannon bone is forever destroyed. This condition is known to medical men as anchylisos, (loss of motion,) while that form of ringbone, occurring on the surface of the bones, is called exostosis, (extra growth.) Various osseous enlargements or deposits are found on the coronet and pastern bones, varying in shape, size, &c., and some persons have denominated them " cling-fasts ;" and there is no doubt but they do "cling fast." As regards the spreading of the disease and its magiiitude, that depends on the idlosyncracies of the animal ; it has been noticed thati PECULIAR TO nOESES. CI animals of the "rickety" or "raclietic" diathesis are more prone to an aggravated form of the malady than others not so constituted ; and in the former case the bones of the whole body are found to bo deficient in aiiimal matter, and rich in eartlvj matter, and other bones of the body are found to be incrusted with earthy deposits, so that, in some cases, the affection may be of a constitutional character. Cause op Ringbon:^. — Ringbone often owes its origin to heredi- tary influences, transmitted, eitlier directly or indlreGtly ; it is not often, however, that the malady appears as the direct result of sex- ual intercourse between animals, one or both of which may be afiected ; yet there are cases on record going to show, that the disease has often been observed to occur in colts that have not even been trained, nor submitted to the ordinary exciting causes which are operative in inaugurating the disease in the predisposed subject. During my professional career, in this country, many cases of Ring- bone, occurring during colthood, have attracted my attention ; hence I infer that the malady can be directly transmitted. Mr. Percival relates that his attention to the hereditary origin oi ringbone was first aroused from a remark made by an extensive dealer in horses, in reply to a question put to him, how it happened that but few ringbones were met with, compared to the number that attracted notice in times past. The reply was : *' Because no breedei of horses now-a-days, will send a mare to a horse having ringbone." A very good example for American breeders to follow, for the mal- ady is very prevalent in this country. Horses predisposed to ringbone are bony-legged animals, with short and upright pasterns. The direct cause of ringbone in such animals is ligamentary sj^rains, induced by over-work,"&c. Treatment op Ringbone. — The whole theory of the treatment may be contained in a nutshell. Keep the animal at rest and apply counter irritants of iodine or cantharides. Should, however, the lameness be very considerable and the animal appear to suffer much pain, then I should rub the affected parts with equal parts of spirits of camphor and sulphuric aether. After the treatment has ceased, the owner of the animal must exercise patience, for it will require some time for nature to perfect the cure. TREATMENT OF GALLED BACK. As soon as an abrasion is discovered on the back of a horse, the animal should be excused from duty for a few days ; the abraded parts should be dressed twice daily with a portion of tincture of aloes and myrrh. This simple treatment will soon heal the parts. Should there be no abrasion, but a simple swelling, attended with heat, pain and tenderness, the parts should be frequentl}^ sponged with cold water. Occasionally the sl^in undergoes the process of hardening, (induration.) This is a condition of the parts known to the farriers of old as " sitfast," and the treatment is as follows : pro- cure one ounce of iodine ointment, and smear the indurated spot with a portion of the same, twice daily. 62 TREATMENT OF DISEASES ■ Somo cases of galled back, and shoulders, are due to negligeiico and abuse, yet many animals, owing to a peculiarity of constitution, will *' chafe," as the saying is, in those parts which come in contact with the collar and saddle, and neither human foresight nor mechan- ical means can prevent the same. OVER-DISTENSION OF THE STOMACH. Oct. 19th, 1862. This evening a bay gelding aged 7 years, the property of Mr. Burgess, of North Chicago, was brought to Mr. Patrick's stable under the following circumstances : I was informed by the owner that the animal had in the early part of the morning broken loose from his stall, and immediately com- menced a desperate attack on a bag of oats, which happened to be within reach ; the horse is known as a ravenous feeder, and the pro- bability is, that he did not spare the oats, but took a pretty large dose, so as to over-distend his stomach. The services of the animal being required a few hours afterwards, he was hitched up ; he soon, however, showed symptoms of distress, attempted to lay down, and and finally got into a profuse perspiration. Shortly after this, my attention was called to him. I found the patient in great distress; his head pendulous; breath- ing much embarrassed ; pulse very rapid ; body bedewed wdth a chilly perspiration ; legs and ears cold; continual eructations of gas by the mouth, from the stomach; and at the same time efforts to vomit, which brought away nothing more than salival secretion, which, however, was quite profuse; the patient rolled and tumbled about considerably, and would occasionally stand up for a few sec- onds at a time. I Treatment. — It appeared that the indications, in view of relief, were to arouse the action of the stomach, and at the same time arrest fermentation. I was under the impression that the contents of the gorged stomach could only be got rid of in the ordinary way, viz., by digestion. I am aware that it is often customary to give drastic cathartics in view of getting rid of the contents of the stom- ach, yet I would not advise the reader to do this, for the horse may die before the medicine operates. The following drench was administered : Fluid Extract of Ginger 1 ounce. " " " Goldenseal 2 " Carbonate of Soda 2 drachms. Water 4 ounces. After the exhibition of the above, I threw into the rectum a couple of quarts of soap-suds, to which was added a handful of salt; in the course of about an hour the animal appeared somewhat relieved, and I repeated the dose^ also the enema. The patient very soon afterwards passed a large quantity of excrement, and so rapidly improved that I left him, and did not see him again until the next morning, when he appeared to have entirely recovered. With th« PECULIAR TO HORSES. 63 exception of a bran mash or two, the above comprises the whole of the treatment. Remarks. — It was Uicky for the horse as well as the parties con- cerned, that the animal did not get corn instead of oats y for the same quantity of corn would have surely caused death ; from the fact that when this article of fodder is submitted, within the stomach, to the action of heat and moisture, it increases in bulk in a ratio of about five to one, and the usual result is rupture of the stomach; still should any of our readers be called upon to treat a case of the lat- ter kind, there is no other plan of treatment, with which I am ac- quainted, that will be likely to succeed in saving the animal than the one above indicated. A cow is sometimes "gorged," and her paunch is, in consequence, distended to an enormous capacity, and very frequently an opera- tion has to be performed in order to remove the contents of the same ; yet such an operation as the one usually performed, 'w> attend- ed with much danger, and rather than run the risk of losing the animal, I should first try to arouse the action of the stomach, as in the case of a horse. SWEENEY, OR WASTING OF MUSCLES. Preliminary. — This affection is one which prevails very exten- sively among Western horses, and indeed has occasionally been pre- sent in all parts of the United States, yet very little of a reliable character has ever been written on the subject; hence, as a pro- fessed teacher of veterinary science, and not being willing to carry my knowledge to the grave, it becomes my pleasant duty to give the readers of this work the benefit of my experience, and in so doing I shall endeavor to be brief, practical, and also to deal in facts. Sweeney is a term used by husbandmen, siirnifying wasting of the muscles in the region of the shoulder-blade ; professional men recognize the affection as J[^ro/?Ay— wasting; 2^ gradual qy sudden diminution in the size of muscles of a region, or of the whole body. When the affection is confined to the shoulder, it is called local atro- phy ; and when there occurs a morbid and progressive diminution in the bulk of the muscles of the whole body, the disease is known as general atrophy, or Marasmus. ^ Medical writers generally contend that Sweeney or atrophy is occa- sioned by faulty or defective nutrition, and is usually sympathetic. Ancient authorities say, that in atrophy, the fat only is wasted. This is a great mistake: for a coUapsion of the cellular, muscular and vascular systems, in a case of atrophy, is evidently apparent. Pathology of Sweeney. — I now propose to discuss the theory of the pathology of Sweeney. ^ I have had several opportunities of examining horses that have died in consequence of disease or old age, who, during life, were the subjects of sweeney, and I always found the muscles of the shoul- der, or shoulders, pale looking or bloodless ; almost resembling the muscles of a calf that had been bled to death: the ordinary color should be a reddish-brown tint. The collapsiou was not only con- 64 TREATMENT OF DISEASES fined to the muscular fibres, but aifeeted the blood-vessels, which appeared to be constricted; and the cellular membrane had almost entirely disappeared, merely by condensation and contraction of the skin over the region of the parts; which contraction usually occurs in consequence of shrinking of muscles beneath. In conformity with the opinions of our veterinary authorities, I have hitherto in most cases considered sweeney as a symptomatic affection, from the fact that I have had to treat a number of cases similar to the following: A celebrated and valuable trotting horse, known as " Rocky," owned by a party in Cincinnati, became lame. The animal was treated for shrinking of the muscles of the shoulder blades, by setons, lotions, &c., and a long run at grass. The treatment ex- tended over one year. The animal was finally purchased by Messrs. Mathews and McGibboney of Chicago. On arrival of the animal I examined him and found that the sweeney was occasioned by con- traction of the hoofs. I recommended a different course of treat- ment. The feet received special attention; and now the owners inform me that they have been offered a large sum for him. In May, 1861, I was requested to see a gray gelding, aged eight years, which had recently been purchased as sound, &g. Shortly after purchase it was discovered that the animal went lame. It was noticed that the muscles known as anterior and posterior spinati (in the region of the shoulder blade), were wasted, and it was evident that the animal had been treated for sweeney from the f^act that the marks remained where setons had been introduced. On making an examination of the foot, on the affected side, I found enlargement of the lateral cartilages of the coffin bone; the lateral cartilages had undergone transformation, and had changed into bone. In the region of the foot, then, was the seat of lameness, and the poor brute had been tortured in the usual manner about the shoulder for the expectant cure of that which only constituted a symptom of organic disease of the coffin bone. The altered structure and enlargement in the vicinity of the foot had been entirely overlooked, and it is probable, as rny employer had only been in possession of the horse a short time, that the crea- ture must have been unsound at the time of purchase. The wasting of the muscles of the shoulders, is to be accounted for in these two cases as follows : It is a well known fact, that inaction of a muscle induces a de- crease in its size. The muscles of laboring men decrease in size whenever, from choice or necessity, the individual leads a sedentary life. A limb kept at rest for any great length of time, always un- dergoes more or less atrophy (wasting.) In these cases the foot diseases were of such a character as to cause the subjects much pain in progression ; in order to relieve the feet they spared their mus- cles, which want of free and fall action led to diminished nutrition and wasting — atrophy. Some of our readers must have noticed the fact of the shrinkage of the muscles of the haunch in case of disease or severe lameness of one of the hind feet. This shrinkage often occurs, as in the case of the shoulder, from want of natural action and full play of the muscles concerned. We have ample proof that the wastinsr is the result of want of action, in the fact, that PECTJLIAR TO HORSES. 65 when the horse becomes the subject of a painful disease in the hind foot, he neither advances nor rotates the limb any more than he can possibly help — but holds the foot up. On examination, the atrophy or wasting is confined to the muscles which perform these two ac- tions ; and in case of lameness or pain in one of the fore-feet, the same faulty action is observable, and the same class of muscles (whose action is almost identical with that of the hind parts) are the ones affected. I deem it of great importance that husbandmen should fully un- derstand this subject, for it will enable them to perceive that — while inflating horses' shoulders with a quill, or practicing any other ab- surd treatment in the vicinity of the wasted or sweenied shoulder they are overlooking the real malady (in the foot), and at best are only treating symptoms. On careful examination, however, should it appear that the patient is free from any disorder of the foot or feet, and on the other hand it is clearly evident that myositis, or myalgia, of the muscles exist, then the treatment must be directed to the affected parts — the facts in either case can only be determined by a competent practitioner. In view of sustaining the proposition th^it Stoeenei/ is asymptomatic affection^ I might introduce a great number of cases that have come under my own observation ; but I do not wish to bore the reader, nor inflict a long article on him; therefore I submit the preceding cases as a sample of all the rest which I might offer. The malady may be of a different grade or character, but the primary disease, of which Sweeney is the result, originates often in foot lameness. I now propose to show that sweeney is not always a symptomatic affection. I have often noticed that when horses have been over-driven or over-worked, they become stiff and lame in those parts of the body most susceptible to the ordinary influences; for example, one horse may perform a long journey with a weighty man on his back, and the next day the animal shows symptoms of lameness in the lumbar region ; his back is arched ; the limbs are brought under the centre of the body, and every movement indicates that the animal suffers tormenting pains which are located in the muscles of the back; this is myositis, or inflammation of muscular fibre ; sometimes, however, the malady constitutes myalgia — muscular pain and spasm unaccom- panied by inflammatory action. Another horse may be put to a similar kind of work, and in a few hours afterwards he is found very stiff and lame; but the symptoms are not the same as those just recorded; the pathology is probably identical ; it is the same disease, only it has a different locality — it is myositis of the pectoral muscles, involving also the muscles of the shoulder blades. And the intelligent owner of the afflicted animal will notice that his fore extremities are unnaturally advanced ; the foreparts of the body are unnaturally hot and tender ; the fore-feet are feverish, and the hoofs are hotter than usual; the advanced posi- tion of the fore extremities and shoulders, gives a very marked hol- lo wness to the forepart of the chest, and many men, on seeing such a case, would declare that the animal was chest foundered, this being the name which is sometimes given to such a condition; but really it is owing to myalgia — muscular pain and stiffness. 5 66 TREATMENT OF DISEASES It is "well known that all muscles are subject to inflammatory action and muscular pain from work disproportionate to their strength ; for example, let any man undertake to saw wood, practice with heavy dumb-bells, or ride on a horse — feats that he has never been accus- tomed to — and whether the labor be excessive or not, the individual w,i\\ shortly complain of more or less muscular pain, and if he be a weak man, the more excessive will be that pain. Now the muscles of the horse being just as susceptible to pain as those of the man, are just as easily operated on through the well known exciting causes. In the case of a horse, when the work has been very excessive and of a character to bring the muscles of the shoulders, their tendons and coverings, into a state of over- exertion, it will often be found that some of the muscular fibres in the region of the shoulder, are fractured, small blood-vessels are ruptured, and other pathological changes take place ; this is followed by inflammation — myositis. Sup- pose, therefore, a horse shows symptoms of myositis after excessive work, and in the course of a few days it is noticed that the muscles of his shoulders are wasting away, and they continue to waste, so that all persons who examine the animal pronounce him sweenied — we may then infer that the wasting (sweeney) is not symptomatic, but is the result of myositis, the principal treatment for which is, rest; afterwards diminish the work, and by proper diet and tonics, in- crease the power to do it. LARYNGITIS. Laryngitis signifies inflammation of the lining membrane of the larynx ; it is sometimes known as sore throat. Like other inflamma- tory afl*ections of the respiratory apparatus, it is accompanied by feverish symptoms — heat, pain, and difficult respiration. The inflammatory condition exists during a limited period, varying from two to five days ; then, generally, commences the suppurative stage, which is characterized by a discharge from both nostrils. Cause of Laryngitis. — As regards the special cause of this afl'ection very little is known ; it is supposed, however, to originate in a common cold, &c., yet I have known horses to become the sub- jects of it that have not been exposed to the ordinary influences which are said to produce the symptoms of cold ; hence we may infer that bad management, and the evils of domestication have something to do with it. The fact is, disease neither respects man nor horse; each must once in a while suffer and groan, swallow drugs, get well, or else " kick the bucket f and as regards the horse, the greater his value, the more likely is he to get sick, from the fact that he is sure to be petted, over-fed, and generally he is too well cared for. Symptoms. — The most observable symptoms are, protrusion of the head ; a sort of half suppressed cough ; slight swelling in the region of the throat; difficulty in swallowing; and if the ear be applied to this region, a grating sound is heard. PECULIAK TO HORSES. 67 Treatment. — The animal should be fed on sloppy bran mashes three times daily, to which add one drachm of powdered nitre, and twice daily lubricate the region of the throat with some stimulating liniment. Let the patient breathe a pure atmosphere, and he will soon get well. PLEURISY. This is one of the most painful among equine affections. Persons who have suffered the pains attending acute pleurisy, describe them as lancinating / this accounts for the deplorable con- dition of a horse when suddenly attacked with this terrible affliction. Symptoms. — The excruciating torment attending the early devel- opments of the malady, causes the animal to get down and tumble about, as if he were the subject of colic ; but soon it will be observed that the case is not one of colic, for as soon as the most painful features of the malady have subsided, the animal does not recline on the floor, but stands, with his fore legs wide apart, in view of preventing friction between the lungs and the interior lining mem- brane of the cavity of the chest ; the pain is continuous, which is proof positive that the animal is not the subject of colic. ^. If pressure be made with the finger on the spaces between the, ribs and the chest, it elicits symptoms of great pain ; and should the ^''-i ear be placed against the walls of the chest, a grating sotmd will be heard, and the respiratory murmur is not natural. This malady is apt to terminate in dropsy of the chest. In all cases of acute pleu- risy the pulse is strong and wiry. Treatment. — Supposing the disease to be in its early stage, as shown by such symptoms as above, give the patient twenty-five drops of tincture of aconite, mixed in about two ounces of water, and ten drops more every hour, un^iil the pulse becomes softer ; then omit the aconite, and give one drachm of powdered nitre, twenty -five drops of powdered blood-root, in four ounces of water ; drench the animal very carefully, so as not to put him to unnecessary pain. It is possible that the animal may take this medicine if placed in a V bucket containing a few quarts of water. This latter medicine may * be repeated every four hours, until four doses have been taken ; in the meantime, a thin paste of mustard and vinegar should be care- fully rubbed on the sides of the chest and under the breast ; the paste must be quite thin, or it cannot be absorbed, hence will be useless. Should the weather be chilly, clothe the lower part of the limbs with flannel. The intelligent-owner will attend to the wants of the animal, ana see that he is located in a part of the stable where he will be free from annoyance. It will be easy to ascertain whether or no the case is curable ; for if, during the treatment, the patient continues to grow worse, hydro- thorax, or dropsy of the chest, is sure to set in ; this latter disease requires the services of a veterinary surgeon. Equal parts. 68 TREATMENT OF DISEASES DISEASE OF THE SKIN — MANGE — LOUSINESS — REMEDY FOR THE SAME. A great many of the horses lately disposed of by the Government, as " condemned," *' contraband," &c., were, and still are, subjects of various forms of skin disease — mange, lousiness, &c., and it is probable that when such animals are introduced into decent " horse society," they will be the means of spreading the itch, mange, lousi- ness, &c. ; hence, I propose to give the readers of this work some advice on the subject. In the first place, almost all the skin diseases prevalent among army horses owe their origin to neglect and filth. Hence cleanliness — brush and curry-comb — are the best means of prevention, and are also valuable as curative agents. The best local application for diseases of the above character, is as follows : Linseed Oil, Tincture of Lobelia, Pyroligneous Acid, Spirits of Turpentine, Mix.* Apply, by means of a sponge, a portion of the above mixture to all parts of the body ; and the patient should have an occasional dose of sulphur in a " bran mash :" four drachms of sulphur constitute a dose. The next best advice I have to ofier is. Government horses labor- ing under any of the notorious prqsralent affections, are very dear at any price ; hence, touch not, purchase not j for ^ooc? money and had horses soon part company ; and as the old saying is, " that is the way the money goes." A great many of the horses lately disposed of by the Government are the subjects of a skin disease known to medical men as mange; it makes its appearance as a pustular eruption, commencing about the regions of the roots of the hair of the mane and tail ; where, soon, a scurfy state of the skin appears. The disease soon extends, and makes itself visible by spots denuded of hair ; these spots are the seat of a coating of mealy powder, which can be rubbed off. Throughout the whole course of the disease the animal is tormented with an incessant itching sensation, and is continually rubbing and biting himself. It should be generally understood that this malady is highly contagious, and, therefore, can readily be communicated from one horse to another ; hence, the affected animal should not be allowed to come in contact with others not so affected. Mange, or itch, sometimes assumes a highly inflammatory type ; this depends somewhat on the vascularity of the surface of the body, and the specific irritability of the skin wliich is peculiar to some animals of the sanguine and nervous temperaments. In some stages of this skin affection, a close examination will detect, under the scarf-skin, little watery eminences, known as vesi- cles ; and at the base of the same can be seen little red patches; this * See Magnetic Lotioa. PECULIAR TO HORSES. 69 is the seat of the parasite, and his burrowing course can be distinctly- traced from one vesicle to another. The parasites, which are said to be the sum and substance of the disease, are termed " Acari," and their " manibles," — or mouth — are a sort of i^incers, pointed and sharp, which enables them to puncture the common integument, or skin of animals, and at the same time to imbibe the animal juices, on which they thrive and propagate. The remedy, or local application, previously recommended, often fails in curing "Itch, or Mange," simply because it is not rubbed on the surface with sufficient force to penetrate the scarf-skin; hence, it has but little, if any, effect on the concealed parasite. In order to obviate this difficulty, all excrementitious matter must be removed from the skin by means of a good stiff brush, which brush must never be used on any other animal. The modern method of applying the local application is to rub it into the skin by means of a thick pair of leather gloves, and some "elbow grease." The rubbing should be repeated daily until the disease is conquered. Supposing the disease to be " stubborn" and protracted, the external application must be rubbed into the skin by means of a stiff brush, and the animal should be daily dosed with the following : Sublimated Sulphur 1 drachm. Iodide of Potass 20 grains. Powdered Poplar Bark 1 drachm. To be incorporated with the food. PITYRIASIS m ARMY HORSES. I was present at a sale of army and contraband horses lately held in St. Louis, and I noticed that many of them were the subjects of a skin disease known to the members of our profession as "P%nasw," which disease chiefly affected the face, neck, sides of the chest and flank. The disease presented circumscribed patches, more or less denuded of hair ; the epidermis, or external covering of the skin, detached itself from the sub-tissue in white flakes, yet there appeared to be no itching sensation nor impairment of the general health, conse- quently I am led toinferthat the disease is not contagious. By fric- tion with linseed oil and lime water, equal parts, a cure is easily- effected. BOTS IN HORSES. Bots occur chiefly among horses that have been recently at grass. They are generated from the larvas of the oestrus equi ; the larvae are deposited on the legs and shoulders, or parts that the horse is apt to lick with his tongue ; they then pass into the stomach and become attached to the cuticular portion of the same. In the succeeding summer they are discharged from the anus, and passing through the 70 TREATMENT OF DISEASES chrysalis stage, they appear as a gad-fly, and are then again ready to propagate their species. 1 must confess that in former years I advocated the theory, as taught at the schools and through the pages of our text books, that hots were innoxious, and seldom^ if ever, did any harm to horses. In fact one of our most distinguished writers on veterinary science, (the late Mr. Percival), suggested that "bots might serve some useful purpose by exciting the function of the stomach, they then arouse the sluggishness of this organ, by which means digestion is pro- moted." Mr. Percival also promulgated the following theory : " You may boldly assert that bots are in nowise injurious; still you cannot per- suade the world so, and, therefore, you must be prepared to meet the complaints of those unbelievers, who will now and then declare that their horses have bots — which must be got rid of. But I know of no medicine that has the power of destroying them; and even if we possessed such, I am not sure that we could, even when dead, detach them from the cuticular coat of the stomach to which they are attached with small horns." Hence, in accordance with the dictum of the schools, and popular medical teachings, I formerly was a medical convert to their false theories, and dare not use my own experience and intelligence aixainst that of tlie recoGi:nizcd authorities. But "facts are stubborn things." At the present period, having emancipated myself from the theory of the schools on the subject under consideration, I em- phatically declare that the presence of bots in a horse's stomach is conclusive evidence of an exciting cause of disease, peculiar to the digestive organs ; they (the bots) are, in fact, a foreign body located in the interior of the stomach, one of the most sensitive organs of the animal economy ; they must necessarily pervert the function of that organ. There is no doubt that a large number of bots congregated within the stomach near the termination of the esophagus must interfere with the joassage of food into that organ, as the following case will illustrate : I was requested sometime ago to see a horse, the subject of a climatic affection, which manifested itself in a discharge from both nostrils, accompanied by some soreness of throat. The animal had been treated by its owner and appeared to be doing well, up to the time when my services were sought. I found the patient be- dewed with a cold, clammy sweat, small, thread-like pulse, and hurried respirations ; his head was extended and the mouth open; he appeared to be choking, and made efibrts to vomit. I explored the esophagus, and found at the lower part a very perceptible tume- faction, as if it were impacted with food. I had about determined to cut down upon the esophagus and make an attempt to remove whatever might be the cause of the obstruction, but suddenly the animal fell down, went into convulsions, and in the course of a few minutes died. The autopsy revealed the presence of a large cluster of bots, num- bering two hundred and seventy-five, located within and around the lower part of the gullet, and just within the entrance of the stomach ; and so completely had they obstructed the passage, that it was im- possible for the food to pass. I found the gullet completely packed PECULIAR TO HORSES. 71 with masticated hay, and about three inches above the stomach was a rent in the gullet of about three inches in length ; this accounted for the sudden death of the horse. There were no signs of any dis- ease about the animal except the catarrhal affection ; hence, the bots may be considered as the exciting cause of the death of this animal. In the face of evidence of this character, and on the strength of past experience, together with what Mr. Gamgee has written on the subject, I do believe that bots are often injurious to horses, and I feel it a duty I owe to those who have perused my former writings on the subject, to own up and acknowledge my error. In the case ajiluded to I found a very large number of perforations on the cu- ticular coat of the stomach, which the bots had previously made and occupied ; so it would appear that these creatures had suddenly left their camping ground, and congregated together like a swarm of bees to cause the death of the horse. I am not acquainted with any remedy that would be likely to expel the bots from the stomach ; a run at grass will probably have the desired effect ; yet if the reader wishes to try the effect of medicine, I should recommend the use of the following : Powdered Poplar Bark, ) Sublimated Sulphur, I Equal parts. Powdered Rock Salt, ) Mix a tablespoonful in the food twice or thrice weekly, and feed a few carrots occasionally. DERANGEMENT OF THE STOMACH, OR INDIGESTION. Horses the subjects of indigestion, usually have a capricious appe- tite ; they will often devour their bedding rather than partake of the food which is placed before them; they occasionally eructate gas both from the mouth and anus, are usually afflicted with worms, have a fcetid breath, are subject to colic, and are very apt to become crib-biters. Treatment. — Give the animal a few doses of the followinor: o Powdered Gentian 2 ounces. " Poplar Bark 4 " Carbonate of Soda 2 " Chlorate of Potass 1 " Linseed Meal ^ pound. Mix ; divide into nine parts ; administer one as a drench, or mix it with the food. The American Magnetic Powders can be used in lieu of the above, and are equally well adapted for cattle and sheep. ACUTE RHEUMATISM. The faithful servant of man — the horse — does not enjoy immunity from the above distressing disease. The same causes which operate 7,2 TREATMENT OF DISEASES on the system of man to develop an inflammatory disease of this character, are, with unerring certainty, operative on the inferior animal. In plain language, rheumatism is rheumatism, in whatever system you find it ; it is always characterized by pain in "joints" and mus- cles ; action of the same generally augments pain, although our patient, the horse, cannot always succeed in convincing his owner of the fact. It occurs among men and horses at all seasons of the year; yet, at the period of sudden transitions from heat to cold, it is most prevalent, v^nimals that are heated by exercise and then suf- fered to " cool off" without ordinary care, are very apt to become the subjects of this malady ; so that prevention, to a certain extent, is within the province of all rational beings, and in the exercise of preventive measures, we may, in common parlance, "stave oiF," for a time, an acute disease, although it be hereditary. Rheumatism, like gout, is hereditary ; no educated physician ever opposes this proposition ; it develops itself in the predisposed. The indirect causes are, obstructed perspiration. Keep the animal comfortably warm and avoid undue exposure, and then we have a remedy against the development of hereditary rheumatism. Mr. Finlay Dun thus discourses on rheumatism : " Rheumatism is neither so common, nor are its symptoms so well marked in horses, as in cattle. When, however, it does occur in the horse, it mani- fests the same well-known appearances which characterize it in all animals. It, affects the fibrous tissues of joints, the coverings of muscles, tendons, valves about the heart, and larger vessels, and manifests a peculiar tendency to shift from one part of the body to another, often affecting, in succession, all the larger joints ; at one time, chiefly in the neck, at another, in the back and loins, while in many of its more acute attacks, it appears to involve almost every portion of fibrous and fibro-serous tissues throughout the body. In all its various types it exhibits a full, strong, hard, and unyielding pulse, caused by the inflammation involving the serous and fibro- serous tissues of the heart and circulating vessels. During its existence various excrementitious matters accumulate in the blood, and the fibrinous constituents of the same exceed their normal pro- portions, as indicated by the production of the bufty coat on the blood. In severe or badly treated cases, the inflammation is very apt to be transformed from the joints and muscles, to the heart and its investing: membranes, and it is the dansfer of this chansje in the seat of the disease that renders rheumatism so formidable, and often so fatal. It always leaves the parts affected so altered as to be extremely predisposed to subsequent attacks, and it is more than probable that this altered condition is reproduced in the progeny of rheumatic subjects, and constitutes in them the inherent tendency to the disease. "Horses sometimes suffer from rheumutic inflammation in the fibrous sheathing envelops of the muscles of the neck, constituting what is popularly known as the cAorc4'. When thus aflccted, the animal is very stiff, remains as much as possible in one position, and is unwilling to bend his neck either one way or the other, or to ele- vate or depress his head. There is always more or less fever, with a strong, full pulse. Sometimes, as in lumbago, in the human sub- PECULIAR TO HOESES. '^3 ject, it affects the muscles of the back and loins, causing stiffness, tenderness, and pain, which are especially evinced on moving or turning the animal. These rheumatic affections are very readily produced in predisposed subjects by exposure to rain and cold, especially vi^hen accompanied by overheating or exhaustion. " Rheumatism sometimes occurs in horses as a prominent symptom of that epizootic affection which usually receives the much-abused title of influenza. In such cases the rheumatism is of a somewhat more sub-acute or chronic character than common, and is accompa- nied by that low, debilitating fever so often the concomitant of epi- zootic maladies. It usually affects all parts of the body susceptible of the rheumatic inflammation, is attended particularly by those symptoms which indicate disease of the heart and pericardium, as an intermittent pulse, &c., and often terminates fatally by effusions into the pleura or pericardium, thus causing death by arresting the motions of the heart." The reader has now before him some of the most im|>ortant features of acute rheumatism, and I shall now allude to the treatment. The remedies used by different practitioners are : Colchicum, cal- omel, opium, Dovers powder, tartar emetic, cimicfuga racemosa, hellebore, aconite, iodine, nitrate of potassa, acetate of ammonia ; each article has its advocate, and at certain stages is indicated. I have great faith in colchicum, yet have often succeeded in pro- ducing a favorable termination in the use of guiacum, nitrate of potassa, and liquor acetate of ammonia. The theory of the treatment of acute rheumatism, contemplates an- tiphlogistics, to be continued so long as inflammatory symptoms shall be severe ; yet we must exercise ordinary discretion in the use of antiphlogistic remedies, for should we continue them until all inflam- matory symptoms have subsided, we may purge, nauseate, and bleed our patients into the vicinity of death's door, without accomplishing our object. The old-fashioned method of combating an inflammatory diathe- sis, in the use of lancet and drastic cathartics, is fast dying out, at least a very marked change for the better is observed, and practi- tioners, now, depend more on sedatives, diuretics, febrifuges, and nauseants, than on the above. One of the principal objects in the treatment of acute rheumatism is, to excite diaphoresis ; and in this view we recommend a solution of acetate of ammonia, known as Liquor Ammonice Acetatis; this is an excellent febrifuge, and dia- phoretic, and may be given in broken doses to the amount of eight ounces per day. One or two drachms of nitrate of jyotassa (com- mon salt petre), may also be given in the form of bolus, yet in order to insure diaphoresis, and prevent these agents from passing off by the kidneys, the heat of the body must be augmented by clothing. Practitioners of hinnan surgery are often in the habit of using nitre, in much larger doses than we have dared to administer, yet, in some cases, with marked benefit to the patient.* * Nitrate of Potassa. — In a case of synovial rheumatism this remedy was given by a Boston physician, in a single dose of one ounce, dissolved in a pint and a half of barley water. This was followed by one grain of opium. In fifteen hours the pulse was found reduced, and the pain abso- lutely gone ; and in a few days the tongue was clean, and the swelling entirely abated. The remedy 74 TREATMENT OF DISEASES These agents will probably moderate the heart's action and re- lieve the pain ; should they fail to do so, we must resort to nauseants and sedatives. The most popular nauseant for horses, is white helle- bore, yet it is an agent that can only with safety be used under the direction of a qualified practitioner. Mr. Morton recommends it to be given in " doses of from twenty to thirty grains, every four or six hours, until its action becomes manifest. As soon as this takes place, the repetition of the dose must be carefully avoided, lest efforts to vomit are produced." Should we fail in the use of one or more of the above remedies, to lessen the heart's action, and the pulse be fifty or more per min- ute, the breathing somewhat hurried, and the pain excruciating, then a full dose of medicine must be given (about seven drachms of aloes). It may be proper to administer a physic ball in the early stage of the disease, and perhaps employ the lancet ; these are mat- ters which may be left discretionary with the medical attendant. If a mild diaphoresis can be brought about, it will do more good than we can expect from the use of either lancet or cathartic. A constipated state of the bowels, however, must be overcome either by physic, mashes, clysters, or saline aperients. The bicarbonate of soda is a very valuable adjunct in the treatment of acute rheuma- tism, because, in seven cases out of ten, the whole system is in rn acid condition, and if we can (in the language of the chemist) sat- urate it with alkali, or in other words, establish an alkaline condition, our patient is on the high road to health. Now, in case a cathartic be indicated, we must consider the con- dition of the patient ; he may be suffering excruciating torment, from inflammation of the pleura, pericardium, or synovial mem- branes, and if so, our object must be to mitigate pain in the use of opium or some other narcotic ; should the patient, therefore, exhibit lameness in one or more of the extremities, and the joints of the bind or fore limbs become swollen and painful, a local application may be of some service, and in this view we recommend the fol- lowing: Sweet Oil 3 ounces. Spirits of Ammonia 1 *' Tincture of Aconite 2 " Chloroform 2 " Mix. Apply a portion to the affected limb or joint, twice, daily. In an inflammatory state of the joints it is customary to apply caused neither emesis nor catharsis, but passed off by the kidneys. In another case of acute syno- vial attack, following chronic rheumatism, the same dose was prescribed without any good effect, causing active catharsis. Again, half an ounce of nitrate of potassa, largely diluted, was given every two to four hours, until the patient took three ounces in eighteen hours, with two doses of opium of one grain each, with entire relief to the pain and fever. When the potash was reduced to drachm floses, nausea and vomiting followed, which were relieved by vesication with aqua-ammonia, the blis- ier being sprinkled with half a grain of morphine. The patient recovered. Another physician had Vised the remedy to the extent of half an ounce in twenty-four hours, for three successive days. He found that if tlie salt be given well diluted, it will purge, and vice versa. The physicians of the Mas- sachusetts General Hospital had used the remedy, one ounce in twenty-four hours, without good feffects, and its use was abandoned. It appears to be conceded, tliat it is sate to give the remedy in this quantity, although symptoms of gastritis sometimes followed its use ; but it was always largely diluted, and generally in demulcent liquids. "We are in the habit of giving it in rheumatism and other inflam- matory affections, in doses of twenty or thirty grains, every two or three hours during the perind of excitement or exacerbation, combined with tartar emetic ; but have been deterred from the exhibHion of the larger doses above mentioned, from fear of its toxical effect. We have found this combinatioQ particularly useful in pneumonia. — Memphis Medical Recorder. PECULIAR TO nOESES. Y5 cooling applications, yet the practice is open to the following objec- tion ^az it may augment the acute symptoms m and around the ioints while it lessens them on the surfaoe ; nevertheless, if action of the cutaneous vessels can be maintained, refrigerating lotions can- not do harm. not ao narm. i •;! i ;i „n As soon as the inflammatory, symptoms have subsided, and all dano-er of internal disease seems to have disappeared, we must com- men'ce a difi"erent plan of treatment ; we must give tonics, not only to promote the convalesence of the patient, but also m order to prevent the disease assuming a chronic type, which is very apt to be the case when the prostrating plan of treatment has been too long continued, or practiced with undue severity. From araong-^ the loi- lowinff agents the practitioner can select a suitable tonic : bulphat^ of iron, cascarilla bark, gentian, quill bark, qmmne, golden seal, chamomile flowers, to either of which a smaU portion of ginger may be added, provided a stimulant be indicated. CHRONIC RHEUMATISM. Chronic Rheumatism is generally a sequel to the acute, yet it the subiect be closely watched, a train of phenomena may be observed, very siraijar to those attending the acute stage, yet difi"ermg in its gradual accession, obscure state of the phenomena, and less lunc- tional and structural changes. At times, chronic rheumatism is nothing more than a modifaed and protracted state of the acute stage ; it is migratory like the former, attacking this, that, or other tissues, without reference to its original locality. For example, a horse may, after a brisk driving and subsequent exposure, become lame in the region of the fore ex- tremities This lameness may, perhaps, be defined as sub-acute, or chronic rheumatism, from the fact that there is no increase in arte- rial ■ or respiratory actions ; but the first thing we observe is, that the subiect is laboring under hypertrophy of the heart, perhaps car- ditis, or endo-carditis, and this is proof positive of the migratory character of rheumatism. , , , q mi • • But lohy should rheumatism attach the heart? This is quite an interestincr question, and thus we answer it. The physiology of the heart instmcts us that its motions are governed by the impression made upon the susceptible nervous tissues. Its responses are physi- ological when the whole system is unembarrassed. It is the centre not only of circulation, but of sympathy, and responds to the im- pressions made upon the general system; so that if any disturbance shall occur in the animal economy, in the form of fever, spasm, ifcc, or the horse be afi-righted, punished, or exposed to sudden variations in temperature, the heart is one of the organs first deranged. Rheumatism, therefore, being migratory, is apt, m traveling Irom tissue to tissue, to locate on a deranged organ, especiaUy when that organ is one so easily excited as the heart. Causes of Rheumatism.— The especial cause of rheumatism is, hereditary [predisposition. In certain families, morbid tendencies 76 TREATMENT OF DISEASES are transmitted from parent to offspri g, and display themselves in the development of parental defect and deformity. There are, also, general exciting causes, such as exposure after perspiring freely, damp and cold stables, errors in diet, or stable management, over-work, &c. '^ Principal symptoms of chronic rheumatism. — The subject is gen- erally observed to travel a limited, or stiffened gait at first, when taken out of the stable. He appears ^''stiffened up^'^ as the saying is, yet '-''limbers up''"' as he proceeds. This depends, however, some- what on the temperature of the atmosphere, for the animal is noth- ing less than a walking barometer, and the slightest alteration in the weather affects him very sensibly. The disease may manifest itself in the diffuse form, affecting the body as well as the limbs and feet, which gives to the animal a sort of wiry, spare appearance; yet otherwise, he appears well, and can play his part at the game of food as well as any horse. In the ab- sence of all inflammatory symptoms, this peculiar and almost ruined condition is designated by some as general founder ; and as no one has ever drawn a line of demarcation between what is known to medical men as chronic rheumatism, and what the rest of the world denominate chronic founder, we shall consider that chronic rheumatism is founder, and vice versa. Passing from the diffuse form, this chronic affection may locate in the muscles of the trunk; then it gets the name of " hodyfoimder.'''* The animal is then unable to move the body in lateral directions, without showing an awkward stiffness ; and on being made to turn a corner, when going at a smart gait, a stiffness, apparently in the spinal regions, is generally perceived. At times it locates in the pectoral region, and in consequence of either long continued pain (which is known to exhaust muscular ro- tundity), or innutrition, the parts present a shrunken or hollow aspect. In the absence of acute symptoms, this is the veritable " chest founder.'''' A disease of this character long confined to one or both shoulders Js often followed by a similar wasting of the spinatus muscles, and is often termed " sweeney." The same condition of parts, however, may be the consequence of diseased feet, for we often observe an atrophy, or wasting of the above muscles in animals that have long been the subjects of chronic laminitis, and altered structures about the feet. The term founder is often applied to a ruined state of these parts. Chronic rheumatism is more apt to localize itself than the acute kind, and once located, it is not so easily removed, although the animal may receive benefit from the ordinary means, such as warm clothing, and stimulating embrocations ; yet, when exposed to wet or cold, he again relapes into his former condition, traveling stiff and lame as ever. The stiffness and lameness, if there be any, attending chronic rheumatism, disappears to a certain extent after a brisk trot, whereas acute rheumatism is generally aggravated by exercise. Chronic rheumatism may, however, appear in one spot to-day, and to-morrow manifest itself in another, yet the affected parts ex- hibit none ot the heat or tenderness, difficult respiration, wiry pulse, or functional disturbance which attend the acute sta^e^ so PECULIAR TO HORSES.i *^ that the difference between the acute and chronic conditions of this affection is very marked. Treatment of Chronic Rheumatism. -Xoca^ treatment con- • f a fn tTp aDDlication of vapor, warm blankets and leggmgs, and ^lilTaS u'nSrthe pienl to be located in a warm, yet ven- '^The foUowing is probably one of the best local applications: Sulphuric Ether 2 ounces. Oil of Cedar -^ ^, Camphor. . Proof Spirit \V^f Soft Soap ^ f^^' ^. . ^, Dissolve the oil of cedar in the sulphuric ether; then dissolve the mornino', so long as the case may seem to require it. Constitutional TRKATMENT.-The constitutional remedies are various Those entitled to our greatest confidence are : Xsi-Medicines which act upon the cutaneous vessels. sZoncm-UedicimB recognized as pure tonics which impart beconmy me" o „,;n,„„t. inHnn.inir subseauent pros- tone tration. and activity to organs^ without inducing subsequent pros- MZy-Medicines known as general stimulants, that excite "t'anS^of the above, we give the following formula: Thaver's Fluid Extract of Black Cohosh, diaphoretic 2 ounces. \, u !*»™ ecfusTthe disease creeps and spreads about the skin S United States, I believe, this cutaneous affection has never ricroA in an enizootio form. I have seen and treated a few isolatea cafes and the subiects of the same were of a lymphatic and scrofu- oin'emfera;:r In these cases it appeared as an e™pUon m tte form of vesicles and scurvy roughness of the skm, the vesicles or ruptl:, af tot, were inf egular clusters but m the -urse of a fpwavin, splint ^nd. ringbone, are remarkably light, porous and brittle; Ind on inspecting the same, we wonder how they have suDDorted even the carcass of the animal. , , ^ , ^ The reader has probably noticed in cattle large bony tumors under the iaw, called osteosarcoma, which finally end in caries, (<^leath of the bone,) and others, located on the hock and on various par s o the shaft bones ; these appearing without any apparent cause, illustrate what I meaA by ossific diathesis, or constitutional predisposition We may safely conclude, therefore, that spavm originates from predisposing and exciting causes, acting conjointly, or otherwise. Symptoms of SPAvm.-These vary according to the nature and intensity of the attack; yet there are some, always present, so that a man o^f ordinary obsmwation can readily discover the sea. of the ^^ Th^T^Vs^ is, heat and tenderness on the inside of the hock. Secondly. Lability to flex the hock with perfect freedom, the act beinTaccompanied with a sort of - catching up r or sprmg-halt motiSn. Spring-halt is a remarkable feature of spavin, and it has been noticed by several writers, Shakspeare, for example, thus refers to it : " One would take it, Tbat never saw them pace before, the spavin And spring-halt reigned among 'em." Thirdhi The animal starts stiff and lame, ''planting'" his toe on the ground, rather than the heels; he improves, however, after a ^"^""Foulmu. The above symptoms connected with a tumor on the inside of a hock, in the /egion of the small ^ar.a bones, exclude aTdoubt. Yet the tumor, as I have just observed, is not necessary to make out a case of what is technically called vnter-articular spavin. Tbeatmeot of Sfx^m.-Nomanean possibly succeed in airing smvin We may palliate-relieve lameness-and hasten anchylosis S^;int:) and^ilnder the .abject useful for certam purposes birt tVere will always exist a certain amount of stiffness about the jomt Xch is considered unsoundness, and a hard trot will often induce ''in::UlZ::Z spavin, we borrow an illustration from Nature -the best and wisest of doctors-she strengthens a weak jomt, by 96 TEEATMENT OF DISEASES making it solid and unyielding, and this must be our object in its treatment. Medical men always have this object in view, viz., to produce anchylosis, to hasten ossific effusion, and render the sensitive tissues insensible. In the early or inflammatory stage, rest, and cooling lotions are indicated. In the latter stage, counter irritants, such as prepara- tions of cantharides, &c., are generally resorted to. The reader, if he be in any way interested in the welfare of "livestock," will probably appreciate the value of correct informa- tion regarding the nature and cause of the disease. For in the first place, it aims a death blow at ignorance, quackery, and cruelty, practiced very frequently under the guise of science ; between which, however, there exists less affinity than between oil and water. In the next place, it enables him to adopt preventives, by which the chances of disease are lessened. It teaches him that physical defects are as certainly transmitted as good points, and although bad qualities are not always directly/ transmitted, yet the day of reckoning appears in a future generation, just as surely as like begets like. The most popular remedy, now in use, for the treatment of Spavin, is the acetate of cantharides. The American Magnetic Liniment, manufactured by Messrs. Lord & Smith, of this city, is also a very excellent remedy for the treatment of both Splent and Spavin. INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS. Symptoms. — The animal is feverish, his pulse is quick ; he strains when urinating, has a straddling gait, and the urine is high colored, sometimes tinged with blood ; when slight pressure is made over the region of the kidneys, the animal manifests symptoms of pain. Trea-tment. — Feed the patient lightly, and give him one wine- glass full of fluid extract of buchu, night and morning. ELEMATURIA, OR BLOODY URINE. This disease proceeds from a disease located in the mucous mem- brane of the kidneys and urinary passage. Occasionally the dis- ease results from plethora, but is often brought on by the action of diuretics. Treatment. — Give the patient twice, daily, a wine-glass of fluid extract of buchu, in a pint of infusion of slippery elm. PECULIAR TO HOESES. 9^ SUPPRESSION OF URIlsTE. Suppression of the urine is often the result of spasm of the urethra, and usually disappears soon after the exhibition of the following : Sweet Spirits of Nitre 1^ ounces. Powdered Gum Asafoetida 2 drachms. Syrup 2 ounces. Mix ; and drench the patient with the same. The dose may be repeated at the expiration of one hour, if necessary. In cases of flatulent and spasmodic colic, the animal is often una- ble to urinate. In this event, the catlieter should be introduced, and the urine drawn off. Enemas of warm water thrown into the rectum, often tend to relax spasm, and favor the evacuation of the accumulated urine. DIABETES, OR PROFUSE DISCHARGE OF URINE. In this affection it will be noticed that the horse passes a va s quantity of urine, out of all proportion to the quantity of water drank ; the stall floor is continually wet, and the animal is usually very thirsty. The cause of this disease, in the horse, is rather obscure. Tkeatment. — Give the patient one wine-glassfull of fluid extract of buchu, and to each dose add ten grains of iodide of potass. Some change in diet will be necessary, and it should be of the very best quality. I sometimes use fluid extract of styllingia instead of buchu I find that carrots have a very good effect on animals suffering from diabetes. ALBUMINOUS URINE. In a disease of this character the urine is loaded with albumen, is thick and clear, and if a portion of it be submitted to the action of heat, it coagulates like the white of an egg. Treatment. — Prepare the following ; Fluid Extract of Buchu 8 ounces. Chlorate of Potass 1 " Tincture of Sassafras Bark 4 " Mix. Dose : one ounce night and morning. THICK AND TURBID URINE. It is often noticed that horses pass urine of a thick and turbid character. This is occasioned by a morbid condition of the body, and is sometimes an effort on the part of nature to rid the system of morbilc material. 98 TREATMENT OF DISEASES The discharge of morbid urine generally tends to the restoration of health, and the treatment necessary is, to give the patient some medicme of an alterative and tonic character. The following is an example : Powdered Golden Seal 4 ounces. Iodide of Potass .... 2 " Powdered Poplar Bark 6 " Mix. Divide into twelve parts, and give one every night in the. food, or in a bran mash. If the above medicine cannot be obtained, the American Magnetic Horse Powders may be substituted. (See last page). NAVICULAR DISEASE. Navicular disease consists of deep-seated injury within the hoof, often involving the navicular or shuttle bone. The injury may arise from sprain, contraction of posterior walls of the hoof, from puncture of the sole, from an ulcerated state of the bone, and may be the sequel of laminitis. The principal symptoms of navicular disease are, acute lameness; the foot is pointed forward when the animal is at rest; and when traveling he takes short steps, and is unsteady in his gait. Treatment. — Should the hoof be contracted, the quarters are to be rasped quite' thin, so as to remove the pressure from the sensitive parts. The following preparation is then to be applied to the heel* until they are well blistered : Powdered Spanish Flies 4 drachms. Raw Linseed Oil 6 ounces. Mix. Apply by means of a sponge, and keep the hoof lubricated * V^VitJi neatsfoot oil. It must be remembered, however, that the blister is not to be applied to the heel until the inflammatory process has subsided ; while there is perceptible heat and fever in the foot it must be bathed often with cold water. A horse lame from navicular disease must be excused from duty, and it may take many months to restore the animal to usefulness. TO PROTECT ANIMALS AGAINST THE TORTURE OF FLIES AND INSECTS. Walnut Leaves 4 ounces. Lobelia Leaves 4 " Boiling Water 1 gallon. Let the mixture stand until cool ; then express the fluid through cotton cloth, and add four ounces of the tincture of aloes. Directions. Apply a small quantity of this compound, daily, to the surface of the body, by means of a sponge. PECULIAK TO HOUSES. 99 ANTIDOTE FOR THE BITE OR STING OF VENOMOUS REPTILES. Plantain Leaves {plantago major) 4 ounces. Lobelia Leaves 2 " Boiling Water 1 quart. Directions. When the mixture becomes cool, bind a quantity of the herb on the affected part, and give the animal, as a drench, four or five ounces of the remaining fluid, every four hours. THE ENDURANCE OF HORSES. Some curious experiments have been made at the Veterinary School at Alfort, by order of the Minister of War, to ascertain the endurance of horses — as in a beseiged town, for example. It appears that a horse will live on water alone twenty-five days ; seventeen days without eating or drinking; only five days, if fed but unwa- tered; ten days if fed but insufficiently watered. A horse kept without water for three days, drank 104 pounds of w^ater in three minutes. It was found, too, that a horse taken after being fed and kept in the active exercise of the " squadron school," completely digested its "feed" in three hours; in the same time at the "con- script's school," its food was two-thirds digested; and if kept per- fectly quiet in a stable, digestion was scarcely commenced in three hours. SPRAIN OF THE FETLOCK. This is a very formidable lameness, and also a very painful one, and when a horse becomes the subject of it he should be immedi- ately excused from duty, for every movement of the parts only ag- gravates the difficulty. I have found the following liniment to be of great value in the treatment of all recent sprains : Olive Oil 1 pint. Gum Camphor 2 ounces. Laudanum 1 " Sulphuric ^ther 4 " Dissolve the camphor in the jether, then add the oil, and lastly the laudanum. In some cases Of severe sprain of the pastern, or fetlock, I have known cold water bandages to have a very marked effect in moder- ating the pain and inflammation of the parts. TO RELIEVE MUSCULAR PAIN IN HORSES. The datura stramonium^ or thorn apple plant, is a very excellent remedy, as an external application, for the treatment of muscular 100 TREATMENT" OF DISEASES pain, ligamentary lameness, sprain of the fetlock, &c. It is a rem- edy of great efficacy in chronic pains and inflammatory tumors. Fom- ounces of the plant to one pint of boiling water, are the pro- portions. When cool, the parts are to be bathed often ; when prac- ticable, a flannel is to be saturated with the fluid and bound on the affected ^^arts ; the whole to be covered with oiled silk. HORSES SHOULD BE EXERCISED DAILY. Horses require daily exercise in the open air, and can no more be expected to exist without it than their owners. Exercise is an essen- tial feature in stable management, and, like well-opportuned food, tends alike to preserve the health of horses. Daily exercise is necessary for all horses, unless they are sick ; it assists and promotes a free circulation of the blood, determines mor- bific matter to the surface, develops the muscular structure, creates an appetite, improves the wind, and finally invigorates the whole system. We cannot expect much of a horse that has not been habit- uated to sufficient daily exercise ; while such as have been daily exercised, and well managed, are capable not only of great exertion and fatigue, but are ready and walling to do our bidding at any sea- son. When an animal is over-worked, it renders the system very susceptible to whatever morbid influences ma}'' be present, and im- parts to the disease they may labor under, an unusual degree of severity. The exhaustion produced by want of rest is equally dan- gerous ; such horses are always among the first victims of disease, and when attacked their treatment is embarrassing and unsatisfactory. VALUE OF CARROTS. Carrots are very excellent ^^ fodder''' for horses that have been long kept on highly carbonaceous food, and whose digestive organs may be out of order in consequence of their constant activity in reducing meal and oats into the elements of animal nutrition. With a fair allow^ance of carrots, ground oats, and sweet hay, a horse will enjoy good health and spirits, have a loose hide, shining coat, and healthy lungs. A daily allowance of carrots should always be furnished to horses, the subjects of indigestion ; whose food often runs into fermentation, inducing diarrhoea, or a lax, washy state of the bowels. Carrots furnish an acid called 2^6ctiCj which possesses the curious property of gelatinizing the watery contents of the digestive cavities. A few drops of this pectic acid will gelatinize both, and when mixed with the juice of an orange, changes the same into jelly. So that if the alvine discharges of a horse are watery, carrots can be used as a valuable therapeutic agent, both in view of arresting the same and restoring the tone of the stomach and bowels. By ex- amining the excrement of a horse, fed in part on carrots, it W'ill be found to contain no undigested hay nor oats, and therefore we may safely infer that they promote digestion, so that by the constant use of carrots, less quantities of hay and oats will suffice than when a PECULIAR TO HORSES. 101 larger amount is consumed, and parted with, in an undigested state. For fattening animals, carrots are exceedingly valuable. It will be urged that carrots are not very nutritious — that may be ; still, if they possess the property of gelatinizing the contents of the stomach and bowels, they aid in the manufacture of fat out of other food, which might otherwise pass out of the system. It is said that the milk of a cow in mid-winter, fed on carrots, is equal in flavor to that supplied from clover in summer, while the butter made from such milk presents a rich orange color, and does not taste, as some persons suppose, of the peculiar flavor of this veg- etable. Two bushels of oats and one of carrots is better food for a horse than three bushels of oats without carrots, and when the ani- mal is used for light work only, the quantity of carrots may be increased. The reader must bear in mind, however, that animals, like our- selves, have their peculiar idiosyncracies or susceptibilities — ^" what is one man's food is another's poison" — and some might digest, and thrive amazingly, on a given article of food, while an equal number shall lose both flesh and spirits. There appears, however, to be less objection to the judicious use of carrots than many other veg- etables, both as regards horses and cattle. If the reader happen to have what is termed a "s^'aZ^fed horse, and the same shall be the subject of heaves^^'' (sometimes a symptom of indigestion, only), let them take away the fine meal and substitute carrots, and, my word for it, the horse will improve. ON THE STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION OF THE LIVER OF THE HORSE — ITS DISEASES, &c. The liver of the horse is situated between the stomach and dia- phragm, in what is known to anatomists as the epigastric and hypo- chondriac regions; it is confined in this situation by means of what are term.ed its ligaments, which are chronicled as five in number. Anatomically divided, the liver is convex on its front or anterior sur- face, concave on its back, or posterior, and has clefts which divide it into three lobes of unequal size. The chief mass of the liver is made up of cells, like many other parts of the body ; and these cells are placed in the vicinity of the terminations of the portal veins, from whence the former derive their blood. The liver has a covering, common to all the organs contained in the cavity of the abdomen, known as the peritoneum, a beautifully transparent membrane ; it plays an important function in the animal economy, inasmuch as it furnishes the means necessary to guard against friction, which would otherwise occur, to the utter ruin of the contiguous parts. It was formerly supposed that the function of the liver was merely to eliminate bile from the venous blood, and thus it received the appellation purifier — a purifying organ — but modern physiologists have discovered that the blood itself is materially changed during its circulation through the vessels of the liver ; for example, the liver 102 TREATMENT OF DISEASES elaborates febrine from albumen, and fat from sugar, and sugar from fat. The fact in relation to these agents, sugar and fat, is, they do not materially differ in their chemical composition, only that one con- tains a little more oxygen than the other ; and, from satisfactory data, we are led to infer that the liver occasionally stores up fatty matter, or sugar, for the day of adversity, or starvation day, so that when the system has no other means of obtaining it the liver must supply it, or yield up what it contains of fatty matter. The circulation of the liver is a very interesting matter for the investigation of amateurs and inquirers. The liver, like other organs of the body, is supplied with arterial blood, from the great aorta, for its own support and nourishment, and it also receives an immense amount of venous blood from veins commencing in the gastro-intesti- nal cavities, terminating in a vessel known as the vena porta3,OY "gate vein." Portoe is derived from the Latin, which signifies "gate," or " entrance." The vena portoe^ on entering the liver, ramifies in vari- ous directions like the common arteries of the body, and ultimately terminates in veins peculiar to the liver. Ilence, it will be perceived that the venous blood, instead of being permitted to return directly from the stomach and intestines to the heart, is compelled to complete the circuit of circulation through the liver, and by this peculiar arrangement the transformations alluded to are effected. The liver, therefore, performs the double function of excretion and secretion y secretes gall or " bile," and excretes carbon and hydrogen from the system. As REGARDS THE DISEASES OF THE LivER. It Is probable that the liver often becomes diseased in consequence of overfeeding ; it is well known that the livers of men and animals can be artificially enlarged, by cramming either with an unnecessary amount of food ; favorite dishes are often prepared from the livers of geese artificially enlarged, by stuffing the animal with food, and at the same time con- fining it in a dark room without exercise. We learn that under such barbarous management there is a disproportion between the oxygen respired in the lungs, and the carbon introduced into the system in the form of food. An excess of carbonaceous material in the sys- tem of man or horse, is apt to affect the integrity of the liver and develop the condition known as jaundice, and this cause is more certainly operative in the systems of animals of the bilious tempera- ment. Jaundice, as it occurs among horses, is usuall)'- a functional disor- der, yet should it remain unrelieved for some lapse of time, and the same errors of diet and management be continued, the chances are in favor of its ending in structural disease. Occasionally the bile thickens and accumulates in its ducts, and leads to the formation of gall stones, Avhich finally occasion the death of the subject. The principal symptoms of liver disease are a yellow tinge of the visible surfaces ; languid pulse ; dull, sleepy appearance ; urine high- colored ; excreaient dark-colored ; bowels constipated, &c. &c. Common salt is a valuable agent in preventing bilious diseases, for salt undergoes oxydation in the system and forms soda, and this soda is employed in the formation of bile. Bile consists of carbon, hy- drogen and soda ; its carbon and hydrogen are the carbon and PECULIAR TO HORSES. 103 hydrogen that are thrown, as waste material, mto the blood by the destruction or decomposition of textures containing these elements. The waste carbon, and a considerable portion of the waste hydrogen of the body, are separated by the liver from the returning venous blood, and are then thrown out into the bowels in the form of bile. Bile can be converted into a sort of soap by the addition of soda, which fact indicates that we should use soda, or salt, in the treat- ment of liver diseases. The reader is probably aware that common salt is nothing more than soda combined with chlorine, and that soap is merely oil mingled with potass or soda. Salt is considered as a specific for " rot" in sheep. The disease known as rot^ originates in a diseased condition of the liver, which gives origin to parasites known as flukes (distoma hepaticum)^ hence it is good policy for sheep raisers to see that their flocks have free access to salt. Very many unnecessary cases of liver disease, and premature deaths, in consequence, are constantly occurring, w^hich may often bo traced to errors in diet, therefore I advise all persons having charge of domestic animals, not to over-feed. This part of the United States in which I am now located is the great corn-bin of the country, and there is great danger of men (who love to see their animals in good condition), dipping their hands too deep into the pile of corn, to the sure and certain ruin of many fine specimens of the horse kind. Gall Bladder. I presume that most of my readers are acquainted with the fact that the liver of the horse is destitute of a gall bladder; yet on the upper and inner edge of the right lobe is a small duct, just large enough to admit of the introduction of a common sized pencil ; this duct receives many small ducts from tubes from the interior of the liver, and through them the bile finds its way into the main duct, and from thence into the duodenum. Treatment of Functional Disease of the Liver. — The indi- cations to be fulfilled, in the treatment of this afifection, are to admin- ister agents which are likely to have a tonic and alterative eflfect, and in this view I recommend the following: Podophyllum Peltatura 1 ounce. Carbonate of Soda i " Chloride of Sodium 1 " Goldenseal 1 " Mix. Divide into 8 parts, and give one night and morning. ON THE MODES OF PERFORMING OPERATIONS. Securing the Horse. — In performing most of the minor opera- vions on horses, the Rarey strap on one fore leg, and a twitch on the nose, are the means needed to insure submission. Sometimes, how- ever, when performing operations about the region of the throat, and the patient being unruly, it will be necessary to blindfold him, so that if he should strike with the fore feet he cannot take aim ; in this way the operator may escape a very severe blow. 104 TEEATMENT OF DISEASES In some more important operations the side line is resorted to ; it is applicable when nicking or docking a horse, that is disposed to strike behind. The side line consists in passing a hobble around the pastern of one hind leg, and then carrying from a loop around the neck the end of a rope, which is passed through the iron ring of the hobble, and then back to the loop where it is secured ; this, when properly secured, prevents the horse fi-om kicking; sometimes both hind legs are secured in this way. When castrating, or per- forming any very important operation, the horse should be cast ; some persons prefer to cast after the fashion of Rarey, and then se- cure the animal's legs when down. My plan is, to cast by means of plain and simple hobbles, one of which is buckled to each leg, below the fetlock ; the rope is then rove through all the rings, and the ring through which the end of the rope comes last, is called the 7nai?i hobble^ and into it, the clasp end of the rope is to be inserted ; a couple of persons pull on the rope which approximates the limbs, bring them under the centre of gravity, when a slight push will throw the horse on his side. The surgeon is assisted much, when performing any important operation, by ^etherizing the animal ; this renders him insensible to pain, and he lies on the floor as tranquil as if he were asleep. OPEKATIONS. Castration. — In the United States are a great number of persons who, from long practice, have made themselves quite competent in the performance of this operation, and, consequently, where the services of such persons are to be obtained, the veterinary surgeon is not often called upon. The most safe and successful method ever practiced in this country, is by means of the caustic clams or clamps, which are applied to the spermatic cord. The caustic lodges in a groove cut in the centre of the internal surface of the clams. The clams may be made of different kinds of wood, but it is said the ** elder'''' wood is most preferable, as it already contains a groove, and is quite light when compared with harder wood. The caustic used in my practice, of late, is composed of one drachm of red pre- cipitate, half a drachm of corrosive sublimate, and one ounce of simple ointment ; these are to be well mixed ; then fill up the groove in the wood with the same, and it is fit for use. When the clams are applied to the spermatic cord, they should be brought together by means of pincers or screw forceps, so as to secure complete pressure on the arteries and thus prevent after bleeding. The clams may be removed about sixteen or twenty hours after the operation. When it is suspected that the animal has, or may, become the subject of scrotal hernia, the covered operation is to be performed, then the clam is placed outside the external peritoneal covering of the cord. Mr. Goodin, a celebrated castrator, always performed the covered operation. I have often performed the operation by placing a ligature around the cord, but I think that it is rather more painful than to apply the clams. PECULIAK TO HORSES. 105 Operation for Stone in the Bladder. — This operation, known as lithotomy, is usually performed on the male by making an incision into the urethra. We lirst introduce a whalebone staff or urethral catheter in the ordinary way by the penis ; when the point of it can be felt, just beneath the lower margin of the anus, an incision is made right into the urethra ; this opening must be enlarged so as to admit the lithotomy forceps, and allow the stone to be extracted ; the operator now introduces the forceps into the bladder, seizes the stone and extracts it j the incision is then brought together by a few stitches. Tracheotomy. — Traoheotomy consists in making an incision into the windpipe ; the place selected for the operation is from seven to ten inches beneath the throat. In performing the operation an in- cision is to be made through the skin right down upon the windpipe, then slit open the windpipe to the extent of two inches, and insert the tracheotomy tube ; should the instrument not be at hand, insert a piece of India rubber tubing until a bent tube can be obtained. Some surgeons prefer to dissect a circular piece of cartilage, which must correspond to the calibre of the tube. I have performed in both ways and have no preference. It is necessary to perform the operation when the danger of suf- focation becomes imminent, either from the presence of tumors in strangles, obstructions within the larynx, spasm of the larynx, and sometimes when an unswallowed substance remains in the oesophagus and threatens to choke the animal; although in the latter case it may be more prudent to open the oesophagus, or gullet. CEsoPHAGOTOMY. — This operation consists of an incision through the skin and gullet, on the left side of the neck. It is usually per- formed when a large quantity of food obtains a lodgment in the (Esophagus. The mode is to operate, or cut down, upon the centre of the impacted food and remove it; after sponging the parts with warm water, bring the edges together by means of sutures, then wipe the parts dry, sprinkle with flour, and dress with collodion. After an operation of this kind, the patient should be sparingly fed on sloppy food. Neurotomy. — This operation consists in a division of the sentient nerves of the foot ; there are two modes practiced in performing it. In one case the metacarpal nerves above the fetlock are divided — this is called the high operation ; in the other, the nerves beneath the fetlock are the seat of the incision and division, and this is called the low operation, which latter J believe is the most rational one. In performing this operation, we cast the horse and secure him ; one fore leg at a time is then released from the hobble, a welling or small rope is then placed around the hoof, and firmly held by an assistant. The nerve lies in close proximity with the perforatus tendon, which is a sure guide to its locality. The hair being shaved off at the precise spot, an incision through the skin and cellular tissue ex- poses the blood vessels and nerve ; the latter may be known by its whiteness. A needle or bistoury is then passed under the nerve, 106 TREATMENT OF DISEASES and the nerve is divided. It is customary to amputate a small piec^ from that part of the nerve next the foot, so as to prevent immediate reunion. If both feet are to be operated on, the nerve on the same side of the other foot may be divided ; then roll the horse over and operate on the other sides of the feet. DmsioN OF THE Flexor Tendons. — -Division of the flexor tendons of the fore limbs is usually performed in view of curing " sprung knees ;" which are often the result of contraction of the annular ligament, which ties down the flexor tendons jast below the knees, or it may be occasioned by contraction of the tendons them- selves. The tendon, or tendons, once divided, and their surfaces kept apart, by a mechanical contrivance appended to the toe of the shoe, interstitial deposits are thi'own out, and when the parts are again united, length has been acquired, and in some cases the animal is much b^nelited and his usefulness increased ; it would not be good policy, however, to operate on an aged horse ; it is only when the operation is performed on young animals that it is likely to be of any benefit. One or both tendons maybe divided without the least danger; the strong suspensory ligament inserted at the upper part the cannon passes down at the back part of the same, and is so dis- posed of at the fetlock that it is impossible for the parts to give way, notwithstanding the temporary loss of function of the flexors. When about to perform this operation, the horse should be cast, and secured ; then make a small incision along the inner edge of the flexors, about midway between the knee and fetlock, introduce a probe-pointed bistourie with convex edge, and by a sort of sawing motion, sever one or both tendons ; an assistant, however, will be required to keep the limb rigid while the tendons are being severed, or they cannot be cut without doing some injury to other parts. The ojDeration finished, a cold water bandage is to be applied, and the horse should then be allowed to rise. The heels should now be pared very thin, and a toe piece tacked on, having a projection in front, which will keep the divided edges of the tendons apart. Operation for Aneruism.— Aneurism is a pulsating tumor filled with the arterial blood; it usually arises from the rupture of the muscular coat of an artery and dilatation of its cellular covering. The only plan of cm'ing is to cut down upon the artery and place a lio^ature around it. 'O' Operation for Fistula op the Parotid Duct. — A fistulous parotid duct signifies an unnatural outlet for the saliva se- creted by the parotid gland ; instead of the fluid passing into the mouth, it now, in consequence of a wound just below the ear, runs outwardly down the neck and face. The old method of treatment was very barbarous, the budding iron was the instrument with which the unfortunate creature was tortured, and it very seldom did much good. The modern treatment is more rational; it contemplates a closure of the fistulous opening without doing injury to the surrounding PECULIAR TO HORSES. 107 parts. The method is as follows : Send a steel pin through the edges of the orifice, and wind horse hair around it after the fashion of closing an orifice in the jugular vein ; having done so, keep the parts coated with collodion. DESCRIPTION OF THE HEART OF THE HORSE. The heart of a horse is a powerful and wonderful piece of mech- anism ; its function is of the involuntary order, so that regular con- tractions and expansions, or beatings occur in the normal state, with- out the animal being conscious of the same ; these contractions and expansions, however, can be modified, by means of various medici- nal agents which act upon the nervous system, thus producing a sort of mixed action — voluntary and involuntary — all medicines known as sedatives^ operate to depress the action of the heart, and lesser^ for a certain time the number of its pulsations ; while on the other hand, stimulants augment action, and increase the number of heats. The weight of the heart is about seven pounds, yet considerable variations in this weight will occur among the various breeds of horses, even at an adult age. For example: A horse having a coars^ and gigantic, bony, and muscular organization, will be likely to be in possession of a much larger heart than a compact horse of the ner- vous temperament, even although both shall be of the same age. The interior of the heart is divided into four cavities, two of which being in the superior and anter'ior direction, and in conse- quence of bearing some resemblance to the external conformation of the ears of a dog, are termed auricles ; the auricles^ therefore, should be known as the superior cavities of the heart. These cavi- ties are known as right and left, or rather anterior and posterior ; their division occurs through the intervention of their sep^wm, or wall of muscle, known as the septum auriculorum. The right auricle is the receptacle for venous blood, and three venous trunks terminate in it, viz., the anterior vena cava, which returns the venous blood from the anterior extremities, head and neck — next, the vena cava posterior, which returns the venous blood from the posterior parts, and lastly, the coronary vein ; the latter returns blood which has circulated through the heart itself for its own nourishment. A considerable quantity of dark venous blood is generally found in this auricle after death, and it opens into the right or anterior ventricle, by an aperture denominated the auric ulo- ventri- cular opening, yet in consequence of a valvular contrivance within the ventricle, the blood cannot recede into the auricle. Internally, the right auricle is lined by a glistening vascular mem- brane, having on various parts of its surface, small muscular emi- nences, tenned musculi peciinati ; the small cavities which occur, in consequence of this arrangement, are termed cul-de-sacs. The righty or venous ventricle, is also lined by a nicely organized membrane, and has beneath it several muscHilar prominences named carnm col- umncB which give origin to as many tendinous slips, which are known as chordm tendinm ; they are inserted into a fibrous membrane in the region of the articulo- ventricular opening, and then get the name 108 TREATMENT OF DISEASES (membrane incluclecl) valvuli tricuspis. The lateral contractions of this ventricle are aided by small tendinous cords having muscular origins from the wall and septum. The venous blood passes from this cavity into the pulmonary tissues for oxygenation, through the pulmonary artery, which emerges from the superior part of the ven-j iricle. At the commencement of the pulmonary artery are found three valves tevraed seini-liniar / their function is to guard against a retro- grade movement of the blood, so that it has no other channel than this which leads to the lungs. The left auricle has scarcely any anatomical or structural differ- ences from those observed in the right, although its cavity is smaller, and its walls are somewhat thicker than those found on th^, right. It receives the blood from the lungs, after purification, by means of the pulmonary veins, which have four openings into this cavity, two proceeding from the right, and two from tha left lobes. The left, or arterial ventricle, is the reservoir for arterial blood, which is des- tined to reanimate, replenish, and perpetuate the vital economy; hav- ing a vastly more important function to perform (which requires aug- mented muscular mechanism,) than its duplicate found on the right side, the thickness of its walls must, therefore, necessarily exceed those of the right ; this is found to be the case, so that the outer wall of this cavity is about three times as thick as that found on the other side, and this guide is useful to us in determining, at sight, after the heart is detached from the body, which is the left ventricle and vice versa. The channel of communication between the left auricle and ven- tricle is named, as is the case on the opposite side, auriculo-ventricu- lar opening ; it is furnished however with onXytwo, instead of three, valvular openings, termed valvula bicuspis or mitralis. This ventricle is one of importance for our consideration, from the fact that the great aorta — the plastic hose, which seldom, if ever, requires cobbling or repair, here originates. Its margin or outlet is guarded by a complete set of valves, three in iwimber, termed semi-lu- nar, similar to those found at the origin of the pulmonary artery. This ventricle is divided from the one on the opposite side by a mus- cular and tendinous partition, termed septum ventriculorum. Form, situation, and attachment of the heart. — Its form des- cribes that simulating a cone, having a body, base and apex / its base being in a superior direction, it follows, as a matter of course, that its apex has an inferior insertion downwards and backwards. Situation. — The heart lies in the region occupied by the fourth, fifth and sixth dorsal vertebrae, right in the central region known as the cavity of the chest; its apex is inclined to the left side. Attachtnent. — The base of the heart is attached to the anterior and superior portion of the cavity of the chest, by the venous and |irterial trunks running to and from it, and these in turn have their ira- Inediate and intermediate unions with various tissues in the vicinity, "Which tend to keep the heart in its proper position and allow of some degree of motion. Above the roots of the large blood-vessels, and adhering to the pleura, commences the ^^ericardiiwi, a strong mem- branous sac, which contains the heart; this sac is attached to the sternum, and to a part of the tendinous portion of the diaphragm. JPericardium. — This tunic, called by butchers the heart-hag, is PECULIAR TO HOKSES. 109 composed of two membranes, united together by cellular tissue ; the external one is of a fibrous character, dense and strong ; the inter- nal is smooth and glistening, and very much resembles that found within the cavity of the chest, known as the pleura ; its function is to secrete a fluid called the hquor pericardii ; this fluid being inter- posed between the internal surface of the pericardium and the mem- brane proper of the heart, guards against friction. ^ It is within the pericardium that we occasionally meet with a disease known as hydrops pericardii. REASONS WHY HORSES DO NOT BREATHE THROUGH THEIR MOUTHS ! The soft palate, as it is technically called, velum palati, is a sort of curtain afiixed to the roof of the mouth, in the region of the pal- atine arch; it has a free edge which rests upon the epiglottis.* It slants in a posterior direction, so that anything in the shape of food coming from the mouth, raises and pushes it backward ; but any- thing coming from the oesophagus or trachea, pushes it forward and downward, closes it, and thus prevents all egress. So that air is expired and respired through the nasal outlet, and all matter vom- ited from the stomach must also be ejected through the nostrils. In the act of coughing, however, which is a spasmodic action, the air returns in body and with force suflicient to raise the velum palati, so that a passage through the mouth is, at the moment, secured. The mechanism of the soft palate is as follows : Its composition is nearly the same as that of the hard palate, yet it abounds more in glandular substance and muscular fibre ; by means of the levator palati, its substance is raised. On the lateral and internal portion of the membrane we find bundles of muscular fibres, constituting a pair of muscles known as depressors^ which aid in retaining the palate in its place, viz., on the epiglottis. From the above brief remarks the reader will perceive that it is not natural for ahorse to breathe throusrh his mouth. USE OF THE HARD PALATE, OR 'BARS" OF A HORSE'S MOUTH. The palate of the horse's mouth is divided, according to custom, into two parts, denominated soft and hard. The soft portion runs in a superior and posterior direction, to the region of the base of the tongue, and serves to separate the mouth from the fauces. f The hard palate is marked crosswise by prominent ridges and furrows from side to side, which are called the "bars." They serve to aid in keeping the food within the mouth during mastication. Were it not for this contrivance (the horse's head being pendulous), it would * Oarlilage at the root of the tongue. t Fauces. The back part of the mouth. The soft palate is a mere expanded uvula. It origi- nates at the arch of the palate bone, where the hard palate terminates. 110 TREATMENT OF DISEASES be very difficult for the animal to retain food within the mouth during mastication. The hard palate is not very highly organized, nor so sentiitive as some persons seem to suppose. It is said to be the seat of lampas^ which is a mere state of relaxation, causing the folds or bars to appear tumefied, so as to be almost on a level with the upper incisors. For the removal of this painless tumefaction, a barbarous remedy is resorted to, viz., the actual cautery,* an opera- tion never necessary nor safe ; and, knowing these facts, no gentle- man, I think, will ever allow so noble and useful an animal as a horse to be thus painfully used. Knowing as we do the function of the bars, and setting aside the barbarity of the actual cautery, such an operation must be injudicious, because it involves a loss of struc- ture, and the bars are never so prominent as before. Aside from this, we are doing our very worst to create a sore mouth. Structure of the Palate. — It is composed of epithelium (scarf skin), condensed basement membrane, mucous and areolar, or cellu- lar tissue. The mucous membrane makes up the greatest part of the thick- ness of the palate. Its sensibility, when compared with that of the skin, is very inferior. It seems to be better adapted for absorption and secretion than for the function of sensation. While discussing this matter, we may as well inform the reader what is the best plan of treatment for tumefaction or relaxation of the palate, known as "lampas." The remedy is astringent lotions, and proper attention to stable management. A little powdered alum rubbed on the palate once daily, for a short time, will fre- quently effect a cure. CHOLERA IN ANIMALS. It is said that during the prevalence of cholera in Bromberg, horses were unusually subject to cholic and other intestinal affec- tions, and sometimes passed blood with their evacuations. ROT. According to the best authorities, rot may be considered a para- sitic disease. It is actually a state of systemic debility, the para- sites abounding simply because the system is in a condition favorable for their development. The remedy is, equal parts of salt, sul- phur, charcoal and ginger ; the dose varying from a tea spoonful to five or six drachms occasionally. PLETHORA. Mr. Gamgee says, "The subject of plethora, especially with re- gard to the changes suddenly occurring in the blood from a variety * Actual cautery. Red hot iron. PECULIAR TO HOESES. Ill of causes, calls for the most serious attention of veterinarians ; and we may, in the course of time, unravel some of the mystery attend- ing that very numerous class of diseases described by continental authors under the head ' Carbuncular Affections," or different forms of anthrax. From the Latin carbo^ the term carbuncular has been derived ; and all the diseases thus designated have the peculiarity of inducing, or being attended by, a black or a very dark color of the blood. But this character is too vague to warrant the grouping together of many maladies distinguished from each other by very important signs and results." POISONING BY ARSENIC. The following case from my note book may furnish the reader some valuable information in view of saving the life of a horse when acci- dentally or maliciously poisoned by the destructive agent known as arsenic, or rats-bane. History of the Case. — The subject, a roan gelding, aged eight years, the property of Messrs. Flanders &> Eastman, of Boston, was employed in the capacity of a truck-horse, and used as a leader. On the 10th of August, 1861, a quantity of arsenic, packed in kegs not properly coopered, was landed on one of the wharves, and the above firm were engaged to truck it to the store of the consignees. While rolling the keg3 on the truck, a quantity of the arsenic was distri- buted over the shafts, and before the driver was aware of it, the horse had gathered and swallowed a quantity of the poison. Imme- diately on discovering what the animal was about, the driver, with a gloved hand, removed from the tongue and lips as much as possi- ble of the poison. The horse was shortly afterwards taken to the stable of its owner, when I was called to attend him. Appearance op the Patient at the Stable. — The pulse, at the angle of the jaw, was quickened, yet scarcely perceptible ; show- ing that the poison had acted as a sedative or depressor of the heart's function ; respiratory action rather laborious ; surface of the body rather chilly ; lower parts of the limbs quite cold : visible surfaces, viz., those of the mouth, nose and eyes, considerably injected or reddened ; mouth hot, and the breath had a very bad odor. On ap- plying ray ear to the walls of the abdomen, I detected an active rumbling noise. Treatment. — Administered one pint of lime water, and the white or albumen of two eggs ; the surface of the body was then faith- fully rubbed with straw, and willing arms ; and finally, a pint of lime water to half a bucket of pure water was placed before the patient, so that in case he should be thirsty he might satisfy that thirst, and at the same time introduce a portion of lime water within the stomach. It now being near midnight, I gave one ounce and a half of pure glycerine, and left the animal in charge of his owners. Early on the following morning I found active purgation had com- menced ; this I considered a favorable omen — an effort of nature to 112 TREATMENT OF DISEASES rid the system of poisonous and morbid material — and I felt that no immediate danger was to be apprehended. 1 however attempted to drench the animal with a small quantity of lime water and pow- dered charcoal, merejy to alkalize and deodorize the contents of the intestinal canal, but I found it impossible to get a drop of it down the oesophagus, in consequence of constriction at the upper portion of the same, a condition of the parts that usually follows the admin- istration of an overdose of arsenic. The symptoms, as observed on my previous visit, had imdergone but slight change, yet the surface of the body was warmer, and the animal appeared to suffer slightly from intestinal pain. In view of producing counter irritation, I applied mustard, liquified, to the throat and abdomen. During the day the excremental discharges were very profuse, and emitted an intolerable stench ; towards night an attempt was made to drench the animal with a pint of port wine, which was at- tended with success, the constriction at the upper part of the cesophagus being somewhat relaxed. On the following day the discharges were less frequent, and the patient appeared much better; he managed to swallow some flour gruel, and was again drenched with a pint of port wine. The above comprises the whole of the medical treatment. By means of good nursing, &c., the animal so far recovered as to be able to resume work after a period of twelve days from the time of the accident. For the benefit of the reader I would say that, " nature, who is ever busy by the silent operation of her own forces," did more for the restoration of this animal from the effects of a well known poison, than the medicinal agents which were used ; and I take this oppor- tunity to enter my protest against the orthodox method of treating cases of this kind, which contemplates the use of large doses of the hydrated peroxide of iron^ which, unless it be expelled from the sys- tem by the administration of active purgatives, is as destructive as arsenic — the original poison. FUNGUS H^MATODES OF THE PENIS. Preliminary. — Fungus is a term used in morbid anatomy, to ex- press any luxuriant formation of flesh in the shape of a soft excres- cence. Hmmaiodes is derived from the Greek language, and signifies bloody appearaoice. In plain English, Fungus Hsematodes is a lux- uriant formation in, or on, the soft parts of the body, presenting a bloody appearance — the bleeding fmigus. The ancient writers describe this disease as a species of soft can- cer or medullary — soft — sarcoma (a fleshy excrescence), and the prob- ability is, that it is a cancerous affection, for I have several times removed excrescences of this character, and they invariably re-formed and acquired considerable magnitude, even although the most scien- tific remedies were daily used for the prevention of their after-devel- opment. The modus operandi of the development of these kind of tumors is as follows : They commence with a soft enlargement, or tumor, on PECULIAR TO HORSES. 113 the various tissues of the body ; for example, in the region of the eyes, testicles, penis, extremities, and breast; the tumor becomes elastic and painful ; in form it is irregular, having innumerable con- vexities and concavities, bulging out in various directions into an irregular mass of morbid production, and from the surface of which blood often exudes. The above brief description of the nature and pathology of the disease, is offered as merely explanatory, for the benefit of a large proportion of readers who are not supposed to be versed in the tech- nicalities of the schools of medicine. The following case will show the mode of operation : History of the Case. — The subject, a bay gelding, aged twelve years, of the sanguine temperament. For six months it was noticed that he did not urinate freely (a mechanical difficulty), and in view of treating a .