Transcriber’s note: Printing errors have been amended but the author’s
idiosyncratic style and spelling have not.
THE
FARMER’S OWN BOOK:
A TREATISE ON THE
Numerous Diseases of the Horse,
WITH AN
EXPLANATION OF THEIR SYMPTOMS,
AND THE
COURSE OF TREATMENT TO BE PURSUED;
ALSO A TREATISE ON THE DISEASE
OF
HORNED CATTLE.
PUBLISHED BY
J. D. KOOGLE,
Middletown, Maryland.
1858.
ENTERED according to the Act of Congress in the year 1857,
BY J. D. KOOGLE,
In the Clerk’s Office of the District Court of Maryland.
PREFACE.
The object of this work is to give a thorough explanation of the numerous
diseases to which the horse is subject, and point out in a clear and
distinct manner the symptoms by which the diseases may be known, so
that the Farmer and others having the care of horses may be enabled to
detect any disease in its first stages,--thereby rendering it an easy
case to cure; also, giving a regular course of medicine to be pursued in
the treatment of the different diseases, by which almost any one, with
a little study, can treat the most difficult cases. The great objection
to other works that have been issued is that they do not point out the
symptoms of the diseases in horses; and their treatment is so badly
arranged that it is very difficult for the Farmer and persons generally
to understand it. The advantages this work possesses over others, is
its plainness in pointing out the difficulties attending the treatment
of diseases in horses and the manner in which they may be surmounted.
And it is hoped that those interested will give this book their careful
attention, as the author is satisfied that it will save them a vast
amount of time and trouble in times of need.
THE AUTHOR.
[Illustration]
DISEASES OF HORSES.
The diseases of the horse are very numerous, and many of them so
complicated as to defy detection, except by those who are thoroughly
acquainted with the nature of the animal, and his mode of living. This is
the reason that horses which have been under the care of the farrier are
often returned to the owner in a worse condition than when they received
them. It is to prevent this practice as much as possible that has induced
me to bring this work before the public, in the hope of alleviating the
condition of that noble animal--_the Horse_.
[Illustration]
THE POLL EVIL.
This disease may arise from accident, but is commonly the result of blows
or bruises carelessly inflicted by those having charge of the horses. It
is a tumor or swelling in the sinews, found between the noll bone and the
uppermost joint of the neck, immediately on the nap of the neck.
Nearly all farriers, tell you to sell your horse for anything he will
bring, or give him away; but I would advise you to keep your horse
and cure him, which can be done quickly and surely with the following
remedies:
REMEDY NO. 1.
First wash the sore well with strong warm soap suds, then drop 8 or 10
drops of muriatic acid in it twice a day, until it has the appearance
of a fresh wound, after which it should be washed clean with soap suds
from castile soap and then left to heal, which it will quickly do if the
acid has been used long enough in a proper manner; but if it does not get
well, wash as before, and apply the acid until a cure is effected. It is
a sure remedy, and will not fail if applied properly until the disease is
burnt out or killed.
In case you should drop any of the acid on the part that is not affected,
apply a little oil, which will neutralize the power of the acid and
prevent it from becoming sore.
REMEDY NO. 2.
When the disease first makes its appearance, take a quantity of asmart
and put it to soak, letting it remain all night. In the morning take
as much as you can hold in your hand and apply it to the swollen part,
holding it there some 20 or 30 minutes, pressing on it as hard as you
conveniently can, which must be repeated several times. This remedy
generally scatters the disease, but if it should fail you will be obliged
to use applications of a more astringent nature.
REMEDY NO. 3.
After the disease has fully shown itself, wash as directed in Remedy
No. 1; then take Arsenic and apply it until the foul flesh has all
disappeared, and let it heal. This is a certain remedy, and has cured
several cases within my own knowledge.
REMEDY NO. 4.
Take 1 quart of strong ley and boil it into a salve, then apply a portion
of the salve every 2 hours until the core comes out, and heal with elder
ointment. If this remedy does not effect a cure on the first application,
try it again, as it is a certain cure. Should the ley after being boiled
down leave a hard substance, it must be worked into a salve.
REMEDY NO. 5.
First wash the ulcer well with warm soap suds; then take air-slacked lime
and put as much into the sore as will lay on, which must be repeated 2 or
3 times a day, and the affected part cleaned and swabbed out as often.
This, though very simple, is an excellent remedy, which I have never
known to fail.
* * * * *
The foregoing remedies are very plain and simple, and cannot fail if
properly applied. In washing the ulcers, use none other than castile
soap, which is far superior to any other for cleansing and healing wounds
and eruptions of any kind, and can be had from any of the drug stores
at 25 cents per pound. It is also an excellent article for domestic
purposes, such as shaving, &c. and will be found cheaper than any other
fine or toilet soaps.
FLATULENT OR WIND COLIC.
This is an entirely different disease from the Spasmodic Colic. It often
originates with something that the horse has eaten and then drinking
large quantities of water, by which the food becomes fermented and
creates a gastric gas, which enlarges to a greater or less extent,
sometimes to twenty or thirty times the bulk of the food. It generally
takes place in the stomach, but at times in the small or large intestines.
SYMPTOMS.
The horse suddenly slacks his pace, perhaps lays or falls down as if he
were shot. In the stable he paws the floor with his fore feet, lays down
and rolls, starts up instantly and throws himself down again with greater
violence, looks wistfully at his flanks, and makes many fruitless efforts
to void his urine. Here the symptoms are similar to other colics, but the
true character of the disease soon develops itself.--It is in one of
the large intestines, and the belly swells all round, but mostly on the
right flanks and as the disease progresses the pain becomes more intense,
and the horse more violent. The treatment is quite different from other
colics.
REMEDY NO. 1.
Take 1 ounce of the chlorate of lime and ½ pint of warm water, put it
into a bottle and shake well, so as to dissolve, then give it as a
drench which will devour the gas, and cause the swelling to subside. If
in fifteen minutes after this has been given, the pain does not seem to
have been alleviated, take 4 ounces of spirits of Pimento, and 1 ounce
of Laudanum, mix it with ½ pint of warm water and give it also as a
drench. If you have no pimento and it is not convenient to get it, take
2½ ounces of peppermint, and 1 ounce of laudanum, and should you not have
laudanum, take a larger quantity of peppermint with ½ pint of warm water,
and give it as a drench. In this disease no time should be lost, as it
very often runs its course in from 1 to 2 hours. If the first should not
give relief in 15 or 20 minutes, repeat it until it does. Rubbing the
belly with a smooth rail or pole will greatly facilitate the action of
the medicine. Should you not have any of the above remedies on hand or
convenient, use from 1 to 2 ounces of golden tincture as the case may
require.
REMEDY NO. 2.
In the first place take 2 ounces of the essence of peppermint, mixed with
½ pint of warm water and give it to him as a drench, then take a bat of
common raw cotton and set fire to it, holding it close to the nostrils
of the horse, so that he can freely inhale the smoke arising therefrom;
continue this until you see that the horse is relieved. The quantity of
cotton used is from 4 to 5 bats, as the necessity of the case may require.
This is a simple and safe remedy, and numbers who have tried it say that
they have never known it to fail. I saw a horse that had suffered from
the colic for nearly three hours, being puffed up almost to bursting, and
in half an hour after this operation had been performed on him, he was
completely cured.
SPASMODIC COLIC.
This is a disease to which horses generally are subject, and in
consequence of improper treatment, it often proves fatal. It is produced
by improper riding, feeding, watering, and may arise from a want of
proper action in the bowels, which occasions constriction of the
intestines and a confinement of the air.
SYMPTOMS.
The horse begins to shift his position, looks around at his flanks, paws
violently, strikes his belly with his feet, and crouches in a peculiar
manner, advancing his hind legs under him, he then suddenly lies or
rather falls down, and balances himself on his back with his feet resting
on his belly. The pain seems to have ceased for a while, and he gets
up and shakes himself; he begins to feed, but in a short time the pain
returns, and is more violent than before; he heaves at the flanks, breaks
out in a profused perspiration, and throws himself more recklessly.
The pulse is little affected in the commencement, but as the disease
progresses, it becomes full. Legs and ears of a natural temperature. The
affection of the strength scarcely perceivable.
REMEDY.
Relief may be obtained from motion in this disease. Take
1 ounce of turpentine,
1 ounce of laudanum,
½ pint of gin or good whiskey,
½ pint of warm water.
Mix and give it as a drench. Bleed, and if not relieved in half an
hour, repeat the dose, rubbing the belly with a stout brush or a smooth
rail. If not relieved in 15 or 20 minutes, repeat the dose and continue
it until relief is obtained. If the horse be walked about or trotted
moderately, it will relieve the spasms. A glyster with warm soap suds
should be injected, which may be done by burning the peth out of elder,
and filling a bladder with the suds, then tie the bladder on the elder
tight and force it into the fundament, occasionally throwing the warm
suds in until it operates; if a reasonable portion of it remains, it will
do no harm if it does not operate, but will help to relieve the spasms.
This should be done immediately, as in most cases no time is to be lost.
A glyster of tobacco smoke may be thrown in as a last resort. Keep the
horse in a warm stable and give bran mash and plenty of warm or thin
gruel for two or three days.
The turpentine, laudanum, gin and warm water were never known to fail if
given at the proper time. Should you not have these medicines at hand,
give 2½ or 3 ounces of peppermint every 15 or 20 minutes until the horse
is relieved; or if you have no peppermint, give same quantity of golden
tincture.
The gruel for feeding is made by putting any quantity of bran into
a bucket or tub, then pour boiling water over it, so as to scald it
thoroughly, and cover it with a cloth until it is cool enough for him to
eat.
INFLAMMATION OF THE BLADDER.
In this disease and inflammation of the kidneys, the symptoms are
nearly similar; therefore, in order to ascertain whether the disease
is inflammation of the bladder or inflammation of the kidneys, it is
necessary to introduce the hand into the rectum, where you will find
the bladder immediately under the hand, if it feels hard and full,
accompanied by more than natural heat and tenderness, it is a sure case
of inflammation of the bladder, but if the bladder is empty and no
increased heat is apparent, then it must be a case of inflammation of the
kidneys.
In treating these two diseases--though the symptoms are so much alike--be
very careful to observe that the course of treatment recommended in each
is entirely different, and should you give the medicine prescribed for
inflammation of the bladder for that of the kidneys, it will greatly
endanger the life of the horse.
SYMPTOMS.
The early symptoms in this disease are generally those of fever, but the
seat of the disease soon becomes apparent. The horse occasionally looks
round at his flanks, stands with his hind legs wide apart, is unwilling
to lie down, straddles as he walks, evinces great pain in turning,
shrinks when his loins are pressed; the loins feel hot, the urine is
voided in small quantities, which is often highly colored and sometimes
bloody; he tries to urinate very often and strains painfully, but the
discharge is nearly or quite suppressed; the pulse is quick, hard and
full at first, but rapidly becomes small, indicating a disease of the
urinary organs, yet not distinguishing inflammation of the bladder from
inflammation of the kidneys.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
When you feel satisfied that it is a case of inflammation of the
bladder, blister the loins with the blister ointment and give 1 ounce of
turpentine with 1 ounce of laudanum.
INFLAMMATION OF THE KIDNEYS.
The symptoms of this disease are similar to those of inflammation of the
bladder, but are to be treated in quite a different manner. Inflammation
of the kidneys is brought on by over-riding, heavy loads, improper
feeding, and sometimes by being poled on the haunches, or across the
kidneys and loins.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
Place a mustard plaster made with vinegar across the loins and bleed.
After this give an active purge, and when it begins to abate give of
white helebore from ½ to ¾ of a drachm, and 1½ drachms of tartar emetic,
with ½ a pint of warm water, this should be repeated 2 or 3 times a day,
according to the nature of the disease. For drink, give him warm water
or gruel as much as he will drink, and keep the back and loins warm and
comfortable.
INFLAMMATION OF THE LUNGS.
This disease is generally brought on by sudden cold, hard driving, high
feeding, &c.
SYMPTOMS.
The first appearance of this disease is generally marked by fits of
shivering, accompanied with a coldness throughout the entire body, which,
however, gradually wears off, and he becomes warm, except the ears and
feet; but it sometimes commences slowly, with a hard, dry cough, which
appears to give the horse great pain; he appears dull, and refuses to
eat his food; the pulse is obscure and oppressed--he heaves at the
flanks, the nostrils are extended, the eye-lids and linings of the nose
are inflamed with a disagreeable running at the nose, experiences great
difficulty in breathing, seems very stiff, is unwilling to lie down or
move, and often stands until completely exhausted.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
Bleed until the pulse becomes round and full, and then the heart will be
able to accomplish its object; next hand rub the legs, well, wrap them up
with flannel bandages as high as the knees, put a blanket on the horse to
keep him warm, but let the stable have a sufficient opening to admit the
fresh air, not so much as to make it cold or chilly. In warm weather the
horse cannot have too much fresh air. The following prescription will be
found very beneficial:
1 drachm powdered foxglove,
1½ “ tartar emetic,
3 “ nitre,
4 “ tincture of aloes,
½ pint of warm water.
Mix well, give it as a drench and clyster with soap and warm water; when
the focus has become softened a little, _leave off using the tincture of
aloes_, but continue to administer the remaining portion of the above
prescription, and blister the sides and brisket with the blister ointment
every 6 hours. If the ointment should act well on the first application,
there is no further need for it, but should it not act properly continue
the blistering until it does, or until the parts become very sore, and in
two or three days after dress with lard.
In the latter stages of the disease it will be found very difficult to
get the blister to act properly on account of the exhaustion of the
natural powers of the animal, but it must be continued, and the sinking
energies aroused, or the horse is lost. The blister is often prevented
from acting by the gig being up.
In this disease the treatment should be prompt and decisive, as not a
moment of time is to be lost. The first object should be to subdue the
inflammation, and if the mouth continues hot, the extremities cold, and
the nose red, the horse must be bled again and again in rapid succession,
the good that we can do must be done immediately or not at all.
The first step to be taken in this disease is to bleed profusely--let the
lancet used be a large, broad shouldered one, in order that the blood
may be extracted as quick as possible and the disease destroyed without
impairing the strength of the animal. (If the blood be allowed to flow
slowly in a small stream, the strength of the animal will be sapped,
while the disease remains untouched.) Let the blood flow until the pulse
falters and the horse begins to tremble; no harm will be done however if
he should fall by bleeding in this disease. As soon as possible after the
bleeding, give the medicine prescribed; then hand rub and bandage, and
cover with warm blankets; feed him on bran mash and let him run to grass
for a month.
INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS.
This disease arises from various causes, and is frequently brought on by
long standing costiveness, neglected gripes, or hard riding, over heating
and immediately drinking of cold water.
SYMPTOMS.
In many cases of this disease fits of shivering or restlessness are the
first indications of its approach; the mouth becomes hot, the nose red,
the horse begins to evince the most intense pain by pawing, striking
at his belly with his feet, looking wildly at his flanks, groaning and
rolling. The pulse is quick but small, the ears and feet cold, the belly
tender to the touch and sometimes hot, the breathing is quickened, the
bowels costive, and the horse rapidly becoming fearfully weak. He paws
and stamps as in the colic, but the pulse is much quicker than in that
disease, and the pain becomes constant without any intermissions, as
occur in colic.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
Commence by bleeding profusely, taking at least 7 or 8 quarts of blood,
or as much as the horse can bear, which must be done immediately, or a
fatal termination may be looked for. If the horse does not seem to have
been relieved or the pulse become round and full, the bleeding must be
repeated as the only means of subduing the inflammation, which is the
immediate cause of the weakness. If the inflammation is subdued by the
extraction of the blood the weakness will soon disappear. After the
bleeding, make a strong decoction of aloes and opium or laudanum, say 1
ounce of laudanum with the same quantity of the tincture of aloes, and
give it to the horse; this must be quickly followed by back-raking and
an injection of soap and warm water or thin gruel, in which epsom salts
or aloes may be dissolved in moderate quantities; repeat this until the
bowels are completely cleaned out. He should be given as much warm water
or thin gruel as he will drink, and half the quantity of tincture of
aloes and laudanum should be administered every two or three hours until
the bowels are freely opened. Blister the sides and belly with common
blistering ointment and bandage the legs up to the knees with flannel,
cover him with blankets as directed in inflammation of the lungs, and
give him a comfortable stable, but not too hot, with plenty of fresh air.
No corn or hay should be allowed in this disease--bran mash will answer
very well for feed, but green meat is preferable if it can be had. Turn
him out for two or three hours in the middle of the day if not too cold;
give the legs good hand-rubbing every day; continue to clyster with thin
gruel for two or three days.
BOTS OR GRUBS.
The Bots or Grubs are small worms of a red or brownish color, found in
the stomach, and it is considered almost impossible for them to do any
harm, but a horse that has the bots, grubs or worms, loses flesh, becomes
hide bound and dull.
SYMPTOMS.
In this disease a yellowish matter is often found under the horse’s tail;
he has pain, stamps and rolls, switches his tail between his legs, turns
up his upper lip, and frequently looks round to his flanks, and often
tries to rub his fundament against the wall, or any other place that he
can.
TREATMENT--REMEDY NO. 1.
First give an active purge, and if that is not sufficient to expel them,
take 2 drachms of tartar emetic, with a small quantity of tin or pewter
filings, or a little ground glass, make into balls or pills, and give one
every morning for two weeks; if it is necessary, the balls can be made
with a little tar, which will also improve the condition of the horse.
REMEDY NO. 2.
Take 1 pint of common honey and give it as a drench; in two hours after
give an active purge:--1 pint of molasses added to 1 pint of soft soap
and a handful of salt will answer very well. Repeat the dose if it does
not operate in four or five hours.
MEMBRANES OF THE NOSE.
SHOWING THE SYMPTOMS THAT MARK THE DIFFERENT STAGES OF THE DISEASE.
1st.--The pale pink hue, when the horse is in perfect health.
2d.--An increased tinge of red, and the gradual uniform painting of the
membrane, indicating some excitement of the general system.
3d.--The streaked appearance when inflammation is threatening or
commencing.
4th.--The intense florid red, of inflammation being acute.
5th.--The starting of the vessels from their gossamer coat, and their
seeming to run bare over the membranes, when inflammation has attained
its highest point.
6th.--The pale ground, with patches of vivid red, showing the half
subdued but still existing fever.
7th.--The uniform color, but of a deeper red than natural, indicating the
return of a healthy state of the circulation.
8th.--A paleness approaching to white, with a slight radiation of
crimson, showing that there is still considerable irritability, and that
mischief may be in the wind.
9th.--The pale, livid color, warning you that the disease is assuming a
typhoid character.
10th.--The deep livid, announcing that the typhus is establishing, and
that the vital current is stagnating.
11th.--The brown or dirty painting, intermingling with and subduing the
lividness, denoting that the game is up.
12th.--These appearances will be guides to our opinions and treatment,
which can never be too highly appreciated.
THE EYES.
From the eye of the horse we form an idea of his age. There is, at the
back of the eye a considerable quantity of fatty substance, on which
it may revolve easily, without friction. In aged horses much of this
disappears, the eye becomes sunken, and the pit above it deepens: The
eye is a very important organ of the horse, and should be large, clear,
shining, lively, dark colored, round and full, so that you may look deep
into them; when moving but a small portion of the white should show, and
the purchaser who notices this should pause ere he completes his bargain
for a horse that shows too much of the whites of his eyes.
THE EARS.
Those who are acquainted with the nature of the horse pay much attention
to the size and motion of the ear. Ears rather small than large, placed
not too far apart, erect and quick in motion, indicate both breeding and
spirit. If a horse is frequently in the habit of carrying one ear forward
and the other backward, and especially when on a journey, he generally
possesses both spirit and continuance; and if attentive to what is taking
place about him, he cannot be much fatigued or likely soon to become so.
STAGGERS.
A number of opinions have been advanced in relation to the origin
and seat of this disease. Some think that it is confined entirely to
the head, while others say that the lungs are also affected; that it
originates in the stomach, from which it is removed by the action of the
lymphatic vessels, and being thrown into the circulation is diffused
throughout the entire system, and carried by the arteries into the lungs,
through which all the blood in a horse’s body passes many times during
an hour, where it undergoes a change, thus depositing a portion of the
poisonous matter that had been received into the stomach in the lungs. It
is common to horses of all ages and conditions, and is a very rare case
where it does not prove fatal.
SYMPTOMS.
The symptoms in this disease are feebleness, drowsiness, loss of
appetite, a constant hanging of the head, with inflamed eyes, nearly
closed; he kicks, rears and plunges, seemingly unconscious of what he is
doing; it is dangerous for any one to approach him in this state; the
ears and forehead hot, accompanied by a burning fever.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
The first step to be taken in this disease is to relieve the overloaded
organs of the brain, which should be done by opening the neck or jugular
vein with a large lancet, that the blood may flow freely. No definite
quantity of blood need be taken, but let it run until the horse begins
to falter and blow; or, perhaps, with more assurance of success, until
he falls. Immediately after inject freely with warm water, and give as
a drench ½ ounce of aloes, ½ ounce of ginger, and ½ pint of warm water;
feed on bran mash and green meal.
RABIES OR MADNESS.
If a horse be bitten by a dog or horse that is affected with rabies or
madness, the wound should be well burned out with caustic, (nitrate
of silver,) and on the third day after remove the scab and repeat the
operation. The caustic should reach every part of the wound.
The following remedy has often been administered, and found effectual in
nine cases out of every ten. Take
2 ounces of fresh leaves of tree-box,
2 “ “ of rue,
½ “ sage,
Chop these very fine and boil in a pint of water down to half a pint;
strain carefully, and press out the liquor, put back the ingredients into
a pint of milk, and boil again to half a pint; strain as before, mix
both liquors, which forms three doses for a human subject. Double this
quantity for a horse or cow. Two-thirds of the quantity is sufficient for
a large dog, half for a middling sized, and one-third for a small dog.
Three doses are sufficient each subsequent morning fasting, giving the
quantity directed, being that which forms these three doses.
INJURY OF THE EYE.
The eye itself of the horse is rarely injured by blows and bruises
carelessly inflicted by passionate persons, but the substance that
surrounds it may be seriously wounded, and considerable inflammation
ensue--this may be abated by the application of poultices, bleeding
and physicing. Sometimes the eye-lids become inflamed from the same
cause--fomentations of warm water will be serviceable in this case. The
horse occasionally has a scaly eruption on the edges of the eye-lids,
attended with much itching, in the effort to allay which the eye is often
blemished by being rubbed against some hard substance--the nitriated
ointment of quicksilver, mixed with an equal quantity of lard may be
slightly rubbed on the edges of the lids, with good effect. Warts are
sometimes attached to the edges of the lids, and are a source of great
irritation--they should be removed with a pair of sharp scissors, and
their roots touched with lunar caustic. In common inflammation of the
eye, free bleeding, cooling applications, physic and mash diet will
usually allay the evil; the tincture of opium is a good lotion.
LAMPASS.
The lampass is a swelling of the gums on the inner side of the upper
jaw, to which young horses are mostly subject, and sometimes suffer
considerably before it is discovered.
In some cases the swelling will subside without further medical treatment
than administering a few alteratives, and feeding on bran mashes, but
should this fail it will have to be cured by cutting across the bars with
a lancet or pen-knife. If, however, it returns in three or four months
after this operation, which it sometimes does, take a sharp, flat piece
of iron, a little crooked at one end, heat it and burn out the disease a
little below the level of the teeth, being very careful not to let the
iron rest or bear against the teeth. After this operation give the horse
a little meal, mixed with a small quantity of salt, and feed on mashes.
THE PROCESS OF TEETHING.
At 1½ years of age the mark in the central nippers will be much shorter
and fainter; that in the other pairs will have undergone an evident
change, and all the nippers become flat.
At 2 years this will be more manifest, and about this period a fifth will
appear. Now, likewise, another process is commencing: the first teeth are
adapted to the size and wants of the young animal, and are sufficiently
large to fill the colt’s jaws.
At 3 years old the horse should have the central permanent nippers
growing, the other two pairs wasting away; six grinders in each jaw above
and below, the first and fifth level with the others, and the sixth
protruding; the sharp edge of the incisors, which will be very evident
when compared to the neighboring teeth.
At 4 years the central nippers will be fully developed, with the edge
somewhat worn off, and the mark in them shorter, wider and fainter;
the next pair will have made their appearance with the mark deep, and
extending entirely across them. The corner nippers will be larger than
the inside ones, yet smaller than they were and flat, with the mark
nearly effaced. The sixth grinder will have become level with the others,
and the tushes beginning to make their appearance.
At 5 years the horse’s mouth is almost perfect. The corner nippers are
quite up with the long, deep mark, irregular on the inside, and the
other nippers bearing evident tokens of increasing wearing. The tush is
much grown, the grooves have almost or quite disappeared, and the outer
surface is regularly convex.
At 6 years the mark on the central nippers is worn out, though there is
still a difference in the color of the centre of the teeth. The cement
filling the hole, made by the dipping in of enamel, will present a
browner hue than the other part of the teeth.
At 7 years the mark in the manner which we have described it, has worn
out in the four central nippers, and is fast disappearing in the corner
teeth; the tush also is beginning to alter--it is rounding at the point,
the edges, and without, and beginning to get round inside.
At 8 years old the tush is rounded in every way, the mark has disappeared
from all the bottom nippers, and it may almost be said to be out of the
mouth. There is nothing remaining in the bottom nippers afterward that
can clearly show the age of the horse.
CHEST FOUNDER.
I believe this disease to be nothing more than the rheumatism, produced
by suffering the horse to remain too long tied up and exposed to the
cold, or riding him against a very bleak wind.
SYMPTOMS.
The horse has considerable stiffness in moving, evidently not arising
from the feet; there is a tenderness about the muscles of the breast and
occasional swelling; it is sometimes accompanied with a considerable
degree of fever.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
Bleeding, physic, and a rowel in the chest, warm stabling and warm
clothing, with occasional doses of antimonial powder, will soon subdue
the complaint.
INFLAMMATION.
Inflammation consists of an increased flow of the blood to and through
the parts. The proper mode of abating which is to lessen the quantity
of blood--if we take away the fuel, the fire will go out--all other
means are comparatively unimportant contrasted with bleeding. Blood is
generally extracted from the jugular vein, so that the general quantity
may be lessened, but if it can be taken from the neighborhood of the
diseased part, it will be productive of tenfold benefit: one quart
of blood extracted from the foot in acute founder, will do more good
than five quarts taken from the general circulation; an ounce of blood
obtained by scarifying the swollen vessels of the inflamed eye, will give
as much relief to that organ as a copious bleeding from the jugular. This
is a principle in the animal’s nature which should never be lost sight
of; hence the necessity for bleeding early and largely in inflammation of
the lungs, or of the bowels, or of the brain, or of any important organ.
Many horses are lost for want of, or insufficiency in bleeding, but we
never knew of one being materially injured by the most copious extraction
of blood.
It is very difficult to decide when a cold or hot application is to be
used, and no general rule can be laid down, except that in cases of
inflammation in the early stages, cold will be preferable, but when the
inflammation is deeper seated or fully established, warm fomentations
will be found most serviceable. Stimulating applications are frequently
used in local inflammation. When the disease is deeply seated, a
stimulating application to the skin will cause some irritation and
inflammation there, and lessen or remove the malady; hence the use of
rowels and blisters in inflammation of the chest. If we excite it in one,
we shall abate it in the other,--and also, by the discharge which we
establish from the one, we shall lessen the determination of the other.
Stimulating and blistering applications should never be applied to a
part that is already inflamed. A fire will not go out by heaping more
fuel upon it; hence the mischief which is often done by rubbing those
abominable oils on a recent sprain, hot and tender. Many a horse has
been ruined by this absurd treatment, when the heat and tenderness have
disappeared by the use of cold lotions or fomentations. When the leg or
sprained part remains enlarged long or matter threatens to be deposited,
it may be right to excite inflammation of the skin by a blister, in order
to rouse the deeper seated absorbants to action and enable them to take
up this deposit; but, except to hasten the natural process and effects
of inflammation, a blister or stimulating application should never be
applied to a part already inflamed.
INFLAMMATION OF THE LARYNX.
He who is desirous of ascertaining whether there is any disease in
the larynx of a horse, should apply his ear to the lower part of
the windpipe. If he finds that the air passes in and out without
interruption, there is no disease of any consequence, either in the
windpipe or the chest, for it would be immediately detected by the
loudness or the interruption of the murmur. Then let him gradually
proceed up the neck with his ear still upon the windpipe; perhaps he soon
begins to recognize a little gurgling sound. He can have no surer proof
that there is the seat of the disease.
TREATMENT--REMEDY.
The treatment here is very plain: Blood must be copiously extracted from
the jugular vein, which must be done quickly, letting it run until the
pulse begins to flutter, then administer the fever medicine:
1 drachm digitalis,
1½ “ emetic tartar,
3 “ nitre,
½ ounce aloes,
Which must be repeated twice or thrice in the day. Aloes may be safely
given at this stage of the disease, because the chest is not yet
implicated. To this must be added immediately a blister, and a sharp one.
EPIDEMICS.
In epidemics all offensive matter should be immediately and carefully
cleared away, and no small portion of the chloride of lime used in
washing the stables, troughs, &c., and particularly his ulcers, &c.
CHRONIC COUGH.
If a harsh hollow cough is accompanied by a staring coat; it proceeds
from irritability of the air passages, which will be discovered by the
horse coughing after drinking, or when he first goes out of the stable
in the morning, or by occasionally snorting out thick mucus from the
nose, medicine may be given with advantage to diminish the irritation;
generally small doses of digitalis, emetic tartar and nitre administered
at night. Take
Digitalis ½ drachm,
Emetic tartar 1 drachm,
Nitre 1 drachm.
This should be mixed into a ball with tar and given every night regularly
for a considerable length of time. A blister extending from the root of
one ear to that of the other, taking in the whole of the channel and
reaching six or eight inches down the windpipe has been tried with good
effect. Feeding has much influence on this complaint: too much dry meat,
and especially chaff increases it; carrots afford decided relief.
THICK OR BROKEN WIND.
There is no remedy for the cure of this but it may be improved. The
horse should have full proportions of solid food, but very little hay,
and no chaff; he should not be worked immediately after a heavy meal;
water should be given in moderate quantities, but the horse should not be
suffered to drink as much as he likes until the day’s work is over; green
meat will always be serviceable, and carrots are particularly useful.
PHYSICING.
A horse should be carefully prepared for the action of physic. Two or
three bran mashes given on that or the preceding day, which should be
continued until the dung becomes softened, as a less quantity of physic
will then suffice. On the day which the physic is given, the horse should
have walking exercise, or may be gently trotted for a quarter of an hour
twice in the day; but after the physic begins to work, he should not be
moved from his stall. A little hay may be put in the rack, and as much
mash given as the horse will eat, and as much water as he will drink with
the coldness off. Aloes is the best purgative, for there is no other that
is at once so sure and safe--the dose is from ½ to 1 ounce, if the horse
is properly prepared. The only other purgative on which dependence can
be placed is the croton; the dose varies from 1 scruple to ½ a drachm.
Linseed oil is an uncertain but safe purgative, in doses from a pint to
a pint and a half. Epsom salts are an inefficacious remedy except in the
immense dose of a pound and a half, and then they are not always safe.
SPRAINS OF THE BACK SINEWS.
Should there remain the slightest lameness or enlargement, the leg must
be blistered; and it would seldom be a bad practice to blister after
every case of severe sprain. The inflammation may lay deep, and the part
once sprained may long remain weak, and subject to renewed injury, not
from unusual but ordinary exertion. The horse should be afterwards turned
out for one or two months.
We must here again repeat that a blister should never be used while any
heat remains.
ENLARGEMENT OF THE HOCK.
A horse with an enlarged hock must always be regarded with suspicion: in
truth he is unsound. The animal may discharge his usual work during a
long period, without return of lameness, but when all his energies are
required, the weakened part will fail. The treatment is plain enough:
fomentations, blistering, &c. may remedy the evil.
SPRAIN OF THE COFFIN JOINT.
The proof of this is when the lameness is sudden, and the heat and
tenderness are principally felt around the cornet. Bleeding at the toe,
physic, fomentations and blisters are the usual means adopted. This
lameness is not easily removed even by a blister, and if removed like
sprains of the fetlock and of the back sinews, it is apt to return again.
Sprains of the coffin joint sometimes become a very serious affair; not
being attended by any swelling, and being detected only by heat around
the coronet. First reduce the heat by fomentations: say bathe the foot
with water as warm as the hand will bear, fomentate with this for 15 or
20 minutes--the long continuance of fomentations has been found very
efficacious in reducing inflammation; next apply a clay poultice made
with vinegar, and when getting dry moisten by pouring vinegar on the foot
and clay. After the heat has left the parts, then blister. The horse
should not be used for a month or two.
GREASE.
Grease consists of swollen legs, although swelled legs occur frequently,
yet there is no grease. Friction and bandaging will generally remove
this. Grease is a specific inflammation of the skin of the heels,
sometimes of the forefeet, but oftener of the hinder ones. It is not a
contagious disease, as some have asserted although when it once appears
in a stable, it frequently attacks almost every horse in it.--Bad stable
management is the true cause of it. The first appearance of grease is
usually a dry and scurfy state of the skin of the heel, with redness,
heat and itching. The heel should be well but gently washed with soap and
water, and as much of the scurf detached as is easily removed. If the
cracks are deep, with an ichorous discharge and considerable lameness,
it will be necessary to poultice. A poultice made of carrots boiled soft
and mashed will answer the purpose. The efficacy of a carrot poultice
is seldom sufficiently appreciated in cases like this. The poultice
just referred to should be diligently applied at night, to insure
success, and when the heat and tenderness and stiffness of motion have
diminished, astringent lotions should be applied. Either the alum lotion
or a strong decoction of oak bark--perhaps the alum dissolved in whiskey
will do better than water, or the alum dissolved in a decoction of bark
will answer better than either. This disease requires perseverance--the
decoctions should be made very strong. After washing several times should
there be watery matter on the heels or leg, wash it off with wafer and
soap. Moderate physicing, bran mashes, &c. will be found very beneficial.
The above decoctions will never fail to cure the scratches.
INFLAMMATION OF THE FEET, ACUTE FOUNDER.
This is a disease that was less understood than any other until very
recently. It often arises by allowing a horse that is very much heated to
stand in the snow or cold water for any length of time, or where he is
apt to become chilled, which produces a general stiffness throughout the
entire system; but it will soon be observed that the seat of the disease
is in the feet, by the disinclination of the horse to remain upon them.
SYMPTOMS.
The earliest symptoms of fever in the feet are restiveness, frequent
shifting of the fore legs, but no pawing. The pulse is quickened, the
flanks heaving, the nostrils red and his moaning indicating great pain.
He looks about his litter, as if preparing to lie down; he continues
to shift his weight from foot to foot; he is afraid to draw his feet
sufficiently under him for the purpose of lying down, but at length he
drops. His lying down will distinguish inflammation of the feet from
that of the lungs, in which the horse obstinately persists in standing
until he drops. His quietness when down will distinguish it from colic or
inflammation of the bowels. He will point out the seat of the disease by
looking at the part; his muzzle will often rest on the feet or affected
foot.
TREATMENT--REMEDY NO. 1.
The treatment in this disease resembles that of other inflammations.
Bleeding is indispensable and that to its fullest extent. Four quarts of
blood should be taken from the toe of the foot, which may be put into
warm water to quicken the flow of blood. Poultices of linseed meal,
made very soft, should cover the whole of the foot and pastern, and be
frequently renewed. This will relieve its painful pressure on the swelled
and tender parts beneath. The shoe should be removed, the sole pared as
thin as possible, the crust and quarters well washed--all this should
be done gently. Sedatives and cooling medicines should be diligently
administered, consisting of digitalis, nitre and tartar emetic, 1 drachm
digitalis, 2 drachms tartar emetic, 3 drachm saltpetre. If no amendment
is apparent after this, blood should again be extracted on the following
day. In extreme cases, a third bleeding may be justifiable, and instead
of the poultice, cloths kept wet with water in which nitre has been
dissolved, in the proportion of an ounce of nitre to a pint of water. The
cloths should be wrapped around the feet.
TREATMENT--REMEDY NO. 2.
Take 1 quart sweet milk, 1 quart molasses, ½ oz. pulverized saltpetre,
mix and dissolve all together, give in 2 drenches about 5 minutes apart:
this is highly recommended by those who have tried it.
RESTIVENESS, OR TAMING HORSES.
Mr. Catlin has published an account, the veracity of which is
unimpeached, of his travels among the North American Indians. “He coils
his lasso on his arm and gallops fearlessly into the herd of wild horses.
He soon gets it over the neck of one of the number, when he instantly
dismounts, leaving his own horse, letting the lasso pass out gradually
and carefully through his hands until the horse falls for want of breath.
The Indian advances, keeping the lasso tight upon his neck until he
fastens a pair of hobbles on the animals two fore feet,--then passing
a noose round the under jaw by which he obtains great power over the
affrighted animal, that is rearing and plunging when it gets breath. By
this means he gradually advances until he is able to place his hand on
the animal nose and over its eyes, and at length to breathe into its
nostrils, when it soon becomes docile and conquered; so that he has
little else to do than remove the hobbles from its feet, and lead or ride
it to the camp.”
Mr. A. B. Moss happened to read this account, and he felt a natural
desire to ascertain how far this mode of horse training might be employed
among the American horses. He soon had an opportunity of putting the
veracity of the story to the test. A man on a neighboring farm was
attempting to break a very restive colt, which had foiled him in every
possible way. After several attempts, he succeeded in breathing into one
of the horse’s nostrils, and from that moment all became easy. The horse
was completely subdued. He suffered himself to be led quietly away with a
loose halter, and was perfectly at command.
BROOD MARES.
Great care and attention should be paid to brood mares, particularly
three or four weeks before foaling. She should be worked up to the day of
foaling, being very careful not to overwork or exert her too much; light
and moderate work is an advantage to the animal with foal. She should
be fed on a little flax seed meal, or the whole seed if the meal cannot
be obtained, twice a week at least six or eight weeks before foaling,
and should never fail to turn out to grass of a night for several weeks
previous to foaling. Should be fed on bran mash through the winter, and
up to the time of foaling, which will be found very advantageous to both
mare and colt. There is nothing so refreshing as a bran mash with a
little salt in it, adding a reasonable quantity of corn and oats. If this
course and caution is taken you will not lose one mare out of a hundred,
and perhaps not one out of a thousand.
WARTS.
Warts are found on the eye-lids, the muzzel, the ears, the belly, the
neck, the penis, and the prepuce. There are some caustics available, but
frequently they must be removed by an operation.
If the root is very small it may be snapped asunder close to the skin
with a pair of scissors, and touched with lunar caustic.
If the pedicle or stem is somewhat larger, a ligature of waxed silk
should be passed firmly round it and tightened every day. The source of
nutriment being thus removed the tumor will in a short time die and drop
off.
If the warts are large or in considerable clusters, it will be necessary
to cast the horse in order to cut them off close to the skin. The root
should then be seared with a red hot iron; unless these precautions are
used the warts will speedily sprout out again.
A COMPLETE LIST OF Receipts Belonging to the Horse. AND THEIR USES.
CELEBRATED HORSE POWDERS.
FOR THE CURE OF YELLOW WATER, HIDE BOUND, GRUB WORMS, BOTS, &C.
These powders will cleanse the blood and give new life and vigor to the
animal, its effects will soon be made apparent. They are harmless and can
be fed with safety. Take
½ pound gentian root.
1 “ flour of brimstone,
1 “ fenugreek,
½ “ alum,
¼ “ gum asafœtida,
1 “ rosin,
¼ “ angelica root,
½ “ rhubarb,
½ “ columbo,
1 “ copperas,
1 “ cut and dried tobacco,
½ “ cream of tartar,
¼ “ red tartar,
1 “ epsom salts,
1 “ juniper berries,
½ “ garden benedict,
½ “ salts of nitre,
1 “ spice berries,
1 “ antimony,
1 “ ginger,
Mix and pulverize well. The glass should be ground through a fine mill
two or three times. If the benedict and spice berries cannot be obtained
it will do well without them.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
The dose is 1 table spoonful night and morning, with bran mash or oats,
which can be increased or diminished to suit the case. By leaving out
tobacco it will make an excellent powder for cows, hogs, sheep, &c.
TO CURE GALDS ON HORSES.
Take dry white lead and sprinkle it on the gald twice a day, which will
dry it up and cure it in a short time.
ARABIAN OIL FOR HORSES.
This oil is an excellent mixture for sprains, swellings, galds, &c.
either for a human subject or a horse. Take
1 quart of linseed oil,
1 pint of turpentine,
4 ounces oil of origanum
6 “ oil of spike,
6 “ spirits of camphor,
1 “ oil of sassafras.
Mix and shake well before using, and keep the vessel that contains it
well corked. The spirits of camphor is made by taking 95 per cent.
alcohol, adding as much gum camphor as it will dissolve.
FOR THE BOTS.