(Pl. V, figs. 2 and 3) live in the large intestines of the horse as
adult worms and are often present in enormous numbers. Many of them are
very small, and the largest are less than two inches long. The adult
worms do considerable damage, but the immature or larval worms do even
more.
The larva of _Strongylus vulgaris_ enters the blood vessels of the
intestinal wall and finally attaches in the great mesenteric artery,
where it causes aneurisms; here it transforms to an adult without sexual
organs, which passes to the walls of the cecum and encysts, giving rise
to small cysts or abscesses; these cysts finally discharge to the
interior of the cecum, setting the worms, now mature, at liberty in the
lumen of the intestines.
The larvae of _Strongylus equinus_ are found principally in the liver,
lungs, and pancreas.
The larvae of _Strongylus edentatus_ may be met with almost anywhere,
especially under the serous membranes, the pleura and peritoneum.
The embryos and larvae of species of _Cylicostomum_ are found in the
mucosa of the large intestine.
Aneurisms impede the circulation of the blood, and may give rise to
intermittent lameness. The aneurism may rupture, since it constitutes a
weak place in the wall of the blood vessel, and the horse die of the
resulting hemorrhage. Particles of blood clots in the aneurisms may
break off and plug a blood vessel at the point where they lodge, thereby
causing the death of the part from which the blood is shut off and
occasioning a type of colic which often terminates fatally. The larvae of
_Cylicostomum_ form cysts in the walls of the large intestine, and when
these open they give rise to small sores; when they are numerous they
cause a thickening and hardening which impair the proper functioning of
the intestine. Abscesses sometimes perforate, causing death. The adult
worm attacks the intestinal wall, causing bleeding which results in
anemia. The numerous small sores thus caused allow bacteria to get into
the circulation, sometimes resulting in localized abscesses or in septic
arthritis or joint disease.
[Illustration: PLATE V.
INTESTINAL WORMS.
Oxyuris equi
Strongylus equinus.
Habronema microstoma
Cylichnostomum Sp.
Ascaris equorum]
[Illustration: PLATE VI.
BOTS
1. Bots in the stomach.
2. Bots in the duodenum.]
The disease due to these worms is quite common. The worms enter the body
as immature forms in the spring, when the animal is turned out on
pasture. The first symptoms show in November or December, the disease
being in a latent stage during the development of the worms. The first
symptoms are diarrhea, loss of appetite, and emaciation. The animal
becomes anemic. Secondary symptoms are edema and such complications as
joint infection, colic due to embolism, and accidents from falls,
hemorrhage from ruptured aneurisms, or perforation at the site of
abscess. The animal may die, recover, or become a chronic sufferer, the
internal injuries failing to make a satisfactory recovery even with the
removal of the worms in chronic cases.
_Treatment_ calls for the expulsion of the adult worms from the
intestine, the development of the body resistance to repair the damage
wrought by the developing worms, and the combating of complications. For
the expulsion of the worms the use of carbon bisulphid in gelatin
capsules, 2 to 5 grams, according to the size of the patient, for five
days, followed by magnesium sulphate the sixth day, has been
recommended. Owing to the difficulty and danger in the administration of
carbon bisulphid in capsule, it is advisable to call in a veterinarian.
Tonic treatment consists in the subcutaneous administration of
artificial serum and caffein. The various complications of bacterial
infection, colic, heart depression, etc., call for the attention of a
veterinarian. Preventive measures consist in avoiding reinfection with
worms so far as possible by using dry upland pasture in preference to
low, wet land, and by rotating pastures or rotation of the stock on a
given pasture. Horses may be alternated with cattle, sheep, or hogs to
advantage, so far as parasites are concerned. Another feature, always of
importance, is the provision of a pure, potable drinking water.
BOTS (_Gastrophilus_ spp.).--Bots (Pl. VI) are quite common in the
stomach and upper part of the small intestine of the horse anywhere in
the United States, one kind being occasionally found in the rectum. They
attach to that portion of the mucous lining of the stomach nearest the
esophagus or sometimes around the pyloric opening to the intestine or
even in the upper intestine, and undoubtedly interfere with the proper
functioning of the stomach and the health of the animal to a certain
extent. The symptoms are rather vague as a rule, but the general result
is a condition of unthriftiness.
A treatment which has been found effective consists in feeding lightly
on the day preceding treatment, withholding food in the evening and
giving an ounce of Barbados aloes or a pint of linseed oil. The next
day give 3 drams of carbon bisulphid in a gelatin capsule at 6 o'clock,
repeat the dose at 7 o'clock, and again at 8 o'clock, making a total of
9 drams altogether for an adult horse; half that amount will be
sufficient for a yearling colt. As previously noted, there is some
little difficulty and danger of accident in the administration of
treatments of this character and it is advisable to call in a
veterinarian.
Unless destroyed by treatment, the bots in the stomach of the horse pass
out in the manure in the spring and burrow down into the soil an inch or
two. Here they undergo a certain amount of development and finally
emerge as adult flies. These bot flies mate and during the summer the
eggs are deposited by the female on the forelegs and shoulders or around
the chin, mouth and nostrils of the horse, the location and appearance
of the eggs varying somewhat with different species of bot flies. These
eggs or the young maggots escaping from them are ingested by the horse
in licking the portions irritated by the movement of the escaping
maggots, and when swallowed develop to form bots in the stomach. Careful
currying, especially around the forequarters, is an aid in keeping down
bot infestation, but this is not commonly feasible with horses on
pasture, the ones most liable to become infested.
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
By W. S. HARBAUGH, V. S.
[Revised by Leonard Pearson, B. S., V. M. D.]
The organs pertaining to the respiratory function may be enumerated in
natural order as follows: The nasal openings, or nostrils; the nasal
chambers, through which the air passes in the head; the sinuses in the
head, communicating with the nasal chambers; the pharynx, common to the
functions of breathing and swallowing; the larynx, at the top of the
windpipe; the trachea, or windpipe; the bronchi (into which the windpipe
divides), two tubes leading from the windpipe to the right and left
lungs, respectively; the bronchial tubes, which penetrate and convey air
to all parts of the lungs; the lungs.
The pleura is a thin membrane that envelops the lung and lines the walls
of the thoracic cavity. The diaphragm is a muscular structure,
completely separating the contents of the thoracic cavity from those of
the abdominal cavity. It is essentially a muscle of inspiration, and the
principal one. Other muscles aid in the mechanism of respiration, but
the diseases or injuries of them have nothing to do with the diseases
under consideration.
Just within the nasal openings the skin becomes gradually but
perceptibly finer, until it is succeeded by the mucous membrane. Near
the junction of the skin and membrane is a small hole, presenting the
appearance of having been made with a punch; this is the opening of the
lachrymal duct, a canal that conveys the tears from the eyes. Within and
above the nasal openings are the cavities, or fissures, called the false
nostrils. The nasal chambers are completely separated, the right from
the left, by a cartilaginous partition, the nasal septum. Each nasal
chamber is divided into three continuous compartments by two thin,
scroll-like turbinated bones.
The mucous membrane lining the nasal chambers, and, in fact, the entire
respiratory tract, is much more delicate and more frequently diseased
that the mucous membrane of any other part of the body. The sinuses of
the head are compartments which communicate with the nasal chambers and
are lined with a continuation of the same membrane that lines the nasal
chambers; their presence increases the volume and modifies the form of
the head without increasing its weight.
The horse, in a normal condition, breathes exclusively through the
nostrils. The organs of respiration are quite liable to become
diseased, and, as many of the causes which lead to these attacks can be
avoided, it is both important and profitable to know and study the
causes.
CAUSES OF DISEASES OF RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
The causes of many of the diseases of these organs may be given under a
common head, because even a simple cold, if neglected or badly treated,
may run into the most complicated lung disease and terminate fatally. In
the spring and fall, when the animals are changing their coats, there is
a marked predisposition to contract disease, and consequently at those
periods care should be taken to prevent other exciting causes.
Badly ventilated stables are a frequent source of disease. It is a
mistake to think that country stables necessarily have purer air than
city stables. Stables on some farms are so faultily constructed that it
is almost impossible for the foul air to gain an exit. All stables
should have a sufficient supply of pure air, and be so arranged that
strong drafts can not blow directly on the animals. In ventilating a
stable, it is best to arrange to remove air from near the floor and
admit it through numerous small openings near the ceiling. The reason
for this is that the coldest and most impure air in the stable is near
the floor, while that which is warmest and purest, and therefore can
least be spared, is near the top of the room. In summer, top exits and
cross currents should be provided to remove excessive heat. Hot stables
are almost always poorly ventilated, and the hot stable is a cause of
disease on account of the extreme change of temperature that a horse is
liable to when taken out, and extreme changes of temperature are to be
avoided as certain causes of disease.
A cold, close stable is invariably damp, and is to be avoided as much as
the hot, close, and foul one. Horses changed from a cold to a warm
stable are more liable to contract cold than when changed from a warm to
a cold one. Pure air is more essential than warmth, and this fact should
be especially remembered when the stable is made close and foul to gain
the warmth. It is more economical to keep the horse warm with blankets
than to prevent the ingress of pure air in order to make the stable
warm.
Stables should be well drained and kept clean. Some farmers allow large
quantities of manure to accumulate in the stable. This is a pernicious
practice, as the decomposing organic matter evolves gases that are
predisposing or exciting causes of disease. When a horse is overheated,
it is not safe to allow him to dry by evaporation; rubbing him dry and
gradually cooling him out is the wisest treatment. When a horse is
hot--covered with sweat--it is dangerous to allow him to stand in a
draft; it is the best plan to walk him until his temperature moderates.
In such cases a light blanket thrown over the animal may prevent a cold.
Overwork or overexertion often causes the greater number of fatal cases
of congestion of the lungs. Avoid prolonged or fast work when the horse
is out of condition or unaccustomed to it. Animals that have been
working in cold rains should be dried and cooled out and not left to dry
by evaporation. When the temperature of the weather is at the extreme,
either of heat or cold, diseases of the organs of respiration are most
frequent.
It is not to be supposed that farmers can give their horses the
particular attention given to valuable racing and pleasure horses, but
they can most assuredly give them common-sense care, and this may often
save the life of a valuable animal. If the owner properly considers his
interests, he will study the welfare of his horses so that he may be
able to instruct the servant in details of stable management.
WOUNDS ABOUT THE NOSTRILS.
Wounds in this neighborhood are common, and are generally caused by
snagging on a nail or splinter or by the bite of another horse; or by
getting "run into," or by running against something. Occasionally the
nostril is so badly torn and lacerated that it is impossible to effect a
cure without leaving the animal blemished for life, but in the majority
of instances the blemish, or scar, is the result of want of conservative
treatment. As soon as possible after the accident the parts should be
brought together and held there by stitches. If too much time is allowed
to elapse, the swelling of the parts will considerably interfere. Never
cut away any skin that may be loose and hanging, or else a scar will
certainly remain. Bring the parts in direct apposition and place the
stitches from a quarter to a half-inch apart, as circumstances may
demand. It is not necessary to have special surgeons' silk and needles
for this operation; good linen thread or ordinary silk thread will
answer. The wound afterwards only requires to be kept clean. For this
purpose it should be cleansed and discharges washed away daily with a
solution made of carbolic acid 1 part in 40 parts of water. If on
account of the irritability the horse is inclined to rub the wound
against some object, his head should be tied by means of two halter
ropes attached to the opposite sides of the stall to prevent him from
opening the wound. Except when at work or eating, the head should be so
tied about 10 days.
TUMORS WITHIN THE NOSTRILS.
A small, globular tumor is sometimes found within the false nostril,
under that part of the skin that is seen to puff or rise and fall when a
horse is exerted and breathing hard. These tumors contain matter of a
cheesy consistency.
_Treatment._--If the tumor is well opened and the matter squeezed out,
nature will perform a cure. If the opening is made from the outside
through the skin, it should be at the most dependent part, but much the
best way to open the tumor is from the inside. Quiet the animal, gently
insert your finger up in the direction of the tumor, and you will soon
discover that it is much larger inside than it appears to be on the
outside. If necessary put a twitch on the ear of the horse to quiet him;
run the index finger of your left hand against the tumor; now, with the
right hand, carefully insert the knife by running the back of the blade
along the index finger of the left hand until the tumor is reached; with
the left index finger guide the point of the blade quickly and surely
into the tumor; make the opening large. A little blood may flow for a
while, but it is of no consequence. Squeeze out the matter and keep the
part clean.
COLD IN THE HEAD, OR NASAL CATARRH.
Catarrh is an inflammation of a mucous membrane. It is accompanied with
excessive secretion. In nasal catarrh the inflammation may extend from
the membrane lining the nose to the throat, the inside of the sinuses,
and to the eyes. The causes are the general causes of respiratory
disease enumerated above. It is especially common in young horses and in
horses not acclimated.
_Symptoms._--The membrane at the beginning of the attack is dry,
congested, and irritable; it is of a deeper hue than natural, pinkish
red or red. Soon a watery discharge from the nostrils makes its
appearance; the eyes may also be more or less affected and tears flow
over the cheeks. The animal has some fever, which may be easily detected
by means of a clinical thermometer inserted in the rectum or, roughly,
by placing the finger in the mouth, as the feeling of heat conveyed to
the finger will be greater than natural.
To become somewhat expert in ascertaining the changes of temperature in
the horse it is only necessary to place the finger often in the mouths
of horses known to be healthy. After you have become accustomed to the
warmth of the mouth of the healthy animal you will have no difficulty in
detecting a marked increase of the temperature. The animal may be dull;
he sneezes or snorts, but does not cough unless the throat is affected;
he expels the air forcibly through his nostrils, very often in a manner
that may be aptly called "blowing his nose." A few days after the attack
begins the discharge from the nostrils changes from a watery to that of
a thick, mucilaginous state, of a yellowish-white color, and may be more
or less profuse. Often the appetite is lost and the animal becomes
debilitated.
_Treatment._--This disease is not serious, but inasmuch as neglect or
bad treatment may cause it to lead to something worse or become chronic
it should receive proper attention. The animal should not be worked for
a time. A few days of rest, with pure air and good feed, will be of
greater benefit than most medication. The value of pure air can not be
overestimated, but drafts must be avoided. The benefit derived from the
inhalation of steam is considerable. This is effected by holding the
horse's head over a bucketful of boiling water, so that the animal will
be compelled to inhale steam with every inhalation of air. Stirring the
hot water with a wisp of hay causes the steam to arise in greater
abundance. One may cause the horse to put his nose in a bag containing
cut hay upon which hot water has been poured, the bottom of the bag
being stood in a bucket, but the bag must be of loose texture, as gunny
sack, or, if of canvas, holes must be cut in the side to admit fresh
air.
The horse may be made to inhale steam four or five times a day, about 15
or 20 minutes each time.
Particular attention should be paid to the diet. Give bran mashes,
scalded oats, linseed gruel, and grass, if in season. If the horse
evinces no desire for this soft diet, it is better to allow any kind of
feed he will eat, such as hay, oats, corn, etc., than to keep him on
short rations.
If the animal is constipated, relieve this symptom by injections
(enemas) of warm water into the rectum three or four times a day, but do
not administer purgative medicines, except of a mild character.
For simple cases the foregoing is all that is required, but if the
appetite is lost and the animal appears debilitated and dull, give 3
ounces of the solution of acetate of ammonia and 2 drams of powdered
chlorate of potassium diluted with a pint of water three times a day as
a drench. Be careful when giving the drench; do not pound the horse on
the gullet to make him swallow; be patient, and take time, and do it
right.
If the weather is cold, blanket the animal and keep him in a comfortable
stall. If the throat is sore, treat as advised for that ailment, to be
described hereafter.
If, after 10 days or 2 weeks, the discharge from the nostrils continues,
give one-half dram of reduced iron three times a day. This may be mixed
with damp feed. Common cold should be thoroughly understood and
intelligently treated in order to prevent more dangerous diseases.
CHRONIC CATARRH (OR NASAL GLEET, OR COLLECTION IN THE SINUSES).
This is a subacute or chronic inflammation of some part of the membrane
affected in common cold, the disease just described. It is manifested by
a persistent discharge of a thick white or yellowish-white matter from
one or both nostrils. The commonest cause is a neglected or badly
treated cold, and it usually follows those cases where the horse has
suffered exposure, been overworked, or has not received proper feed,
and, as a consequence, has become debilitated. It may occur as a sequel
to influenza.
Other but less frequent causes for this affection are: Fractures of the
bones that involve the membrane of the sinuses, and even blows on the
head over the sinuses. Diseased teeth often involve a sinus and cause a
fetid discharge from the nostril. Violent coughing is said to have
forced particles of feed into the sinus, which acted as a cause of the
disease. Tumors growing in the sinuses are known to have caused it. It
is also attributed to disease of the turbinated bones. Absorption of the
bones forming the walls of the sinuses has been caused by the pressure
of pus collecting in them and by tumors filling up the cavity.
_Symptoms._--Great caution must be exercised when examining these cases,
for the horse may have glanders, while, on the other hand, horses have
been condemned as glandered when really there was nothing ailing them
but nasal gleet. This is not contagious, but may stubbornly resist
treatment and last for a long time. In most cases the discharge is from
one nostril only, which may signify that the sinuses on that side of the
head are affected. The discharge may be intermittent; that is,
quantities may be discharged at times and again little or none for a day
or so. Such an intermittent discharge usually signifies disease of the
sinuses. The glands under and between the bones of the lower jaw may be
enlarged. The peculiar ragged-edged ulcer of glanders is not to be found
on the membrane within the nostrils, but occasionally sores are to be
seen there. If there is any doubt about it, the symptoms of glanders
should be well studied in order that one may be competent to form a safe
opinion.
The eye on the side of the discharging nostril may have a peculiar
appearance and look smaller than its fellow. There may be an
enlargement, having the appearance of a bulging out of the bone over the
part affected, between or below the eyes. The breath may be offensive,
which indicates decomposition of the matter or bones or disease of the
teeth. A diseased tooth is further indicated by the horse holding his
head to one side when eating, or by dropping the feed from the mouth
after partly chewing it. When the bones between the eyes, below the
eyes, and above the back teeth of the upper jaw are tapped on, a hollow,
drumlike sound is emitted, but if the sinus is filled with pus or
contains a large tumor the sound emitted will be the same as if a solid
substance were struck; by this means the sinus affected may be located
in some instances. The hair may be rough over the affected part, or even
the bone may be soft to the touch and the part give somewhat to pressure
or leave an impression where it is pressed upon with the finger.
_Treatment._--The cause of the trouble must be ascertained before
treatment is commenced. In the many cases in which the animal is in poor
condition (in fact, in all cases) he should have the most nutritive feed
and regular exercise. The feed, or box containing it, should be placed
on the ground, as the dependent position of the head favors the
discharge.
The cases that do not require a surgical operation must, as a rule, have
persistent medical treatment. Mineral tonics and local medication are of
the most value. For eight days give the following mixture: Reduced iron,
3 ounces; powdered nux vomica, 1 ounce. Mix and make into 16 powders;
one powder should be mixed with the feed twice a day. Arsenious acid
(white arsenic) in doses of from 3 to 6 grains three times daily is a
good tonic for such cases. Sulphur burnt in the stable while the animal
is there to inhale its fumes is also a valuable adjunct. Care should be
taken that the fumes of the burning sulphur are sufficiently diluted
with air so as not to suffocate the horse. Chlorid of lime sprinkled
around the stall is good. Also keep a quantity of it under the hay in
the manger so that the gases will be inhaled as the horse holds his head
over the hay while eating. Keep the nostrils washed and the discharge
cleaned away from the manger and stall. The horse may be caused to
inhale the vapor of compound tincture of benzoin by pouring 2 ounces of
this drug into hot water and fumigating in the usual way.