small, soft and weak; the least exertion brings on Dyspnœa; there are
languor, giddiness, or “Megrims”; the horse is “off his food”; the ears
and legs are cold; and ultimately there is œdema of the legs, belly and
chest.
PATHOLOGY.—Dilatation may exist either with Hypertrophy or with Atrophy
of the walls of the heart, and in the latter case is most probably an
effect of the emaciated state of the muscular substance of the heart,
which allows the blood to accumulate, and to distend one or more of the
auricles or ventricles.
TREATMENT.—Dilatation and atrophy of the heart admit of very little help
in the majority of cases, moderate work and occasional or daily use of
A.A., will be proper, and do something towards improving the condition
and prolonging the usefulness of the animal.
Palpitation
DEFINITION.—An abnormal increase in the action of the heart.
Irregularity in the action of the heart is a functional derangement, and
not do to organic disease. It occurs in horses that are in feeble health
and out of condition, or that have been subject to severe and straining
exercise, such as pulling a heavy load uphill or running hard with the
hounds.
Anemic Palpitation
CAUSE.—Poverty of blood.
SYMPTOMS.—A dull, thumping sound is heard to proceed from the cavity of
the chest, which, in extreme cases, may be heard on both sides, and may
even be audible at a distance of some yards, corresponding to the
beatings of the heart and pulse; tumultuous breathing, redness of the
mucous membranes, increased temperature of the body. Auscultation will
detect blood sounds in the neighborhood of the heart, large arteries,
and veins. These “anemic murmurs” vary with the condition of the blood,
and are caused by its “churning” as it passes through the traversing
channels of the heart. They constitute a continuous hum, or the “_bruit
de diable_” of the French. In some cases the action of the heart is so
great that it causes shaking or jerking of the whole body.
PROGNOSIS.—When the palpitation does not proceed from any organic
disease, we may expect to remove it in a very short time by appropriate
homeopathic remedies. A dose of A.A. often relieves an attack.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SO CALLED SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM (PALPITATION)
AND TRUE SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM (HICCOUGH).
──────────────────────────────────┬──────────────────────────────────
SO CALLED SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM.│ TRUE SPASM OF THE DIAPHRAGM.
──────────────────────────────────┼──────────────────────────────────
Hiccough is seldom present. │Hiccough is always present.
The action of the abdominal │The action of the abdominal
muscles is increased and the │muscles at the flank is
heaving of the flanks is quite │imperceptible.
visible. In those cases, where │
Palpitation occurs from a hard run│
with the hounds, the diaphragm │
becomes tired, the abdominal │
muscles come to its assistance in │
carrying on the respiration and │
the heart’s action is increased in│
order to overcome the obstacle │
which probably exists in the │
pulmonary arteries. │
The flanks are tucked up. │There is great fullness in the
│flanks from the abdominal viscera
│being pushed backwards.
Spasm of the Diaphragm
There is a form of palpitation which has received this designation, and
has been mistaken for a functional disorder of the diaphragm, or
excessive motion of the abdominal muscles. True Spasm of the Diaphragm
is Hiccough; and in this condition there are no such sounds as
characterize Palpitation.
CAUSE.—The excessive action of the heart, when the horse has been
distressed by severe gallops or an exciting run, produces a jerking of
the whole body, as the heart strikes the dorso-costal region, towards
the upper part of the first false ribs.
SYMPTOMS.—These are much the same as in Anemic Palpitation; but in
addition there is violent elevation of the flanks, perceptible to the
observer, and, if being ridden, most unpleasant to the rider. The
symptoms appear and disappear suddenly.
TREATMENT.—Give A.A. once in two hours, at first, and later three times
per day.
Embolism
DEFINITION.—Distension and plugging of the arteries by solid coagulated
lymph, consisting of fibrous clots, fragments of decaying or suppurating
tissue, and the elements of Tubercule and Cancer.
CAUSE.—The reason why there is deposition of the offending material is
unexplained; but it is brought from different parts of the circulatory
system, from diseased tissues through the veins and the heart, and
deposited so as to obstruct larger or smaller arteries, and thus prevent
the flow of arterial blood to the limbs and organs. The arteries and
hind limbs are most liable to this disorder.
SYMPTOMS.—An accurate diagnosis is not always practicable, because the
disease itself is obscure. The symptoms which have been observed
attending Embolism are great pain, profuse sweat, but cold extremities;
quick, wiry pulse; and considerable general disturbance of health;
anxious expression of face; looking round to the affected parts;
rigidity and contraction of certain muscles; partial recovery and
simultaneous attack of the other limb, and return of attack to the
first; diminished pulse in the arteries of the implicated limb; peculiar
throbbing of the posterior aorta felt through the rectum; followed by
partial or complete paralysis of the limb or hind quarters; and
ultimately death.
Aneurism
DEFINITION.—A tumor formed by the dilatation of an artery, or
communicating with an artery, and containing blood. In the first stage
the tumor contains fluid blood, and pulsates; in its second stage it
contains coagulated blood, deposited in numerous thin layers, resembling
the leaves of a book.
Aneurism may be idiopathic or traumatic; the latter is caused by injury
to the artery. In the idiopathic or spontaneous Aneurism the dilatation
may be of considerable extent, or it may be limited, with the coats of
the artery intact or even thickened, or the inner coat may be attenuated
and the outer one pressed outward. As the Aneurism becomes old, the
coats become indurated, calcified and liable to burst. It is not an
uncommon disorder in the horse, and when it occurs it is generally in
the deep-seated arteries. The posterior aorta, at the origin of the
anterior mesenteric artery, is very subject to Aneurism as animals grow
older.
DIAGNOSIS.—This is extremely difficult, for the attendant symptoms may
be readily attributed to some other malady. They often come on suddenly;
the horse becomes dejected, thin, and unable to work; respiration is
accelerated; pulse and heart beats are irregular; there is some
stiffness in turning, or tenderness on pressure applied to the loins;
swelling and cramps in the hind legs; Paralysis.
Varicose Veins
DEFINITION.—A morbid dilatation of the veins, causing a knotty, unequal
swelling, so that their valves, which cannot undergo a corresponding
enlargement, cease to be efficient. The effect is a retarded and
imperfect flow of blood on the return to the heart.
The disease occurs most frequently in the form of a soft, elastic tumor
in the saphena vein, where it passes over the inner surface of the hock
joint; but it may affect another vein, or many veins. It is commonly
found where the blood has been repeatedly drawn.
CAUSES.—Violent efforts in drawing; strains; inflammation set up by a
prick in shoeing; frequent bloodlettings.
SYMPTOMS.—The affected veins are dilated, tortuous, knotted, and divided
into separate pouches, with obliteration of the valves. Varix of the
saphena at the hock joint is attended with a tumor, which gradually
increases in size, is flaccid to the touch, slightly pendulous, and
shaking loosely when the horse walks; becoming full and tense on
pressure of the vein above it; and capable of evacuation by pressure
from below upward.
TREATMENT.—Occasional doses of A.A., are beneficial.
CHAPTER VI.—PART I.
DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
Apoplexy
Occasionally, in consequence of high feeding and deficient exercise, and
especially in fat young horses, with short necks and large
blood-vessels, this disease occurs. It may also come on in consequence
of drawing a heavy load up a hill. It is predisposed by an overloaded
stomach.
SYMPTOMS.—In apoplexy, the horse either suddenly falls down lifeless, or
there are premonitory symptoms, such as vertigo, the animal holds his
head down, or leans it upon something, yawns, perspires slightly, and
moves clumsily, etc. Afterwards, the animal falls down suddenly, the
circulation becomes disturbed and irregular, eyes red, protruded, and
staring; breathing labored, short, rattling; body covered with sweat,
and eyelids paralyzed. After a few convulsions the animal dies; or, in
rare cases, an improvement takes place, to be again, after a longer or
shorter period of time, followed by relapse, or to result in paralysis.
(Compare the symptoms with those of Epilepsy).
TREATMENT.—So soon as any of the premonitory symptoms are observed, give
fifteen drops of A.A. at once, and repeat the dose every one, two or
three hours, until the animal is relieved, and then at longer intervals.
If the horse falls under an attack of the disease, give of the above
Remedy at once, and repeat the dose every half hour or hour; remove the
harness, etc., and from time to time pour some cold water upon the head,
not too much or too violently, while you also give the medicine
internally. Injections of salt and water also may be of decided
advantage.
Epilepsy
This disease sometimes appears in the horse, and manifests itself in the
following manner: the animal suddenly trembles, remains standing for an
instant with legs spread out, staggers, and then falls; convulsions
ensue; he kicks, rolls, and twists himself about, grinds his teeth,
passes his dung and urine involuntarily, froths at the mouth, the
motions of the eye are spasmodic, irregular, and the respiration loud,
painful and sobbing. After a while he becomes quiet, breathing regular,
and he gradually comes to himself as if coming out of a dream. The
duration of a fit varies from a few minutes to a half hour. The attacks
return again at periods varying from a few days to several weeks or
months, generally coming at shorter intervals. Epilepsy differs from
apoplexy as spasm differs from paralysis, and a little attention will
not fail to distinguish them.
The causes are deep-seated changes in the nervous organism, and they are
rarely curable.
TREATMENT.—Give, on any premonitions of an attack, fifteen drops of A.A.
at once, and you will usually ward it off. For an attack, put a few
drops in the mouth as soon as you can safely do it, and repeat it every
half hour or hour, until the paroxysm is ended. Afterwards, always give
one dose to prevent a return.
Vertigo, Megrims, Blind Staggers
This is rather a frequent affection of the horse, and is a consequence
of an undue pressure or rush of blood to the head, in most cases also
excited by indigestion or over-fullness of the stomach.
In the milder cases, the horse stops suddenly, shakes his head or even
staggers in evident giddiness and half-unconsciousness for a moment, and
then goes on again as if nothing had happened. In more severe cases, he
stops suddenly, shakes his head, falls or drops down, or after a few
unconscious turns and a violent struggle, will become insensible, and
then rise up and go on again; such attacks closely simulate true
epilepsy.
TREATMENT.—In all similar cases, whether incipient or fully developed,
give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat it every quarter or half hour,
until the animal is relieved, or for twelve or twenty-four hours, and
then at intervals of say four hours, alternate it with J.K., until
restored. When this dozing, stupid condition mentioned above is present,
indicating evident congestion to the head, fifteen drops of A.A., each
morning and noon, and the same of J.K., at night, will soon restore the
animal again.
Paralysis
Paralysis, entire or partial loss of nervous power over the muscles of
certain parts or portions of the body, occasionally occurs in the horse
as a consequence of mechanical injuries, severe cold, or some internal
cause.
When occurring in the face, the muscles of one side lose the power of
motion; the lips hang down, and seem swollen, are drawn to one side, or
pulled upward; food is picked up and retained with difficulty,
mastication is imperfect, and food drops readily from the mouth.
Sometimes there is no feeling in the face or lips.
When the hinder part of the body is paralized, the horse is unable to
rise or stand, sits on his haunches like a dog, constipation and arrest
of urination are apt to be present. In slighter cases, the hind legs
sway about clumsily or he drags them after him, or even walks on his
fetlocks.
TREATMENT.—The first course in case of recent paralysis, is to give
fifteen drops of A.A., every two hours, which continue one day; then
give fifteen drops of J.K., every four or six hours, according to the
circumstances, until relieved, and then morning and night for a time.
Inflammation of the Brain, Phrenitis. Mad Staggers.
This disease is most frequently met with in entire horses, and attacks
especially those that are ardent, in high condition, but little worked;
and it is liable to be excited by a chill after being over-heated or
over-worked in hot weather. It may also arise from blows or similar
injuries on the head.
SYMPTOMS.—In some cases it comes on slowly; the horse is dull and
sleepy; rests his head on the manger, or places it against the wall or
between his legs, and falls asleep. In this state he will, perhaps,
stagger and almost fall to the ground; he, however, wakes up, stares
about him, takes a mouthful of hay, chews it slowly, and ere long is
again dozing or fast asleep. The eyelids are nearly closed; the eyes and
nose red; the pupils dilated; the bowels bound, and pulse slower than in
health. This is the congestive stage, and may continue until the animal
recovers or dies; but, in general, other symptoms appear to which the
name Mad Staggers may be more appropriately applied. In such cases the
pulse rises; the breathing is quickened; the nose and eyes are very red;
nostrils widened; the eyes have a wild, fierce look; the feet are
stamped, as if in passion; he plunges about the stall, rears upward,
strikes out with his fore-feet, and falls backward upon the ground,
where he lies panting and covered with sweat; his eyes are thrust
forward out of their sockets, and rattles are heard in the throat.
Towards the end these violent paroxysms are repeated from time to time,
and it is very dangerous to approach or go near him. At last, he is so
weak and prostrate that he cannot rise, and amidst convulsions,
strangling, foaming at the mouth, sweating, and panting for breath, the
animal dies.
TREATMENT.—The treatment will not be difficult, or the result doubtful,
during the congestive stage; but in the fully developed or phrentic
stage, quite so in both respects. The A.A., is the principal dependence,
and a dose of fifteen drops may be given every two or three hours, at
first, and as the horse improves, the intervals may be somewhat
prolonged. Continue this treatment steadily and without deviation.
During the paroxysms, the medicine may be given by means of a small
glass syringe, or the Medicator used in a similar manner. After the more
intense symptoms have passed over, some doses of J.K., alternately with
that of A. A., will be of value, giving one in the morning and the other
at night.
_Concussion of the brain_, inducing symptoms and a condition not
essentially varying from the above, requires the same treatment,
together with such external applications as the wound may require.
Tetanus, or Lock-Jaw
This disease is more common in the horse than in other domestic animals.
It consists of a muscular spasm of the jaw (whence its name), which
usually from thence extends to all the muscles of the body. It always
occurs in consequence of an injury or wound, such as broken knees, open
joints, severe bruises, nicked or docked tail, castration, wounds of the
feet, prick of a nail, or even the galling of a crupper, through which
opening the tetanus germ enters the body.
The germ of tetanus flourishes without air (anaerobic) and, outside of
the body, lives in soil and manure.
SYMPTOMS.—In general it comes on very slowly, but also, in some cases,
with great violence. The muscles of the neck and jaw are first affected,
so that the horse has great difficulty in swallowing and turning his
neck. The muscles then become quite stiff; the mouth is nearly closed;
the jaws cannot be parted, and little or no food can be taken into the
mouth. By degrees all the muscles become affected I with the same
stiffness and cramp; the eyes are still and staring, pulled back into
their sockets, and squinted outward, and the haw is thrust forward; the
neck can not be bent and the muscles feel hard and firm, the head can
not be raised or lowered, and is held forward, with the nose stretched
out; the nostrils are expanded; the ears pointed forward, erect, and
fixed; the lips are firmly stretched across the teeth, which are partly
seen; the saliva flows from the mouth; and the horse looks anxious, and
can scarcely move, the belly is hard and tucked up; the tail is lifted
up and held straight out, anti in constant tremble; the legs are firmly
fixed to the ground, and spread out from each other; the bowels are
bound, and urine passed with difficulty; the breathing is quickened,
labored and convulsive; the pulse is disturbed easily by frightening or
speaking angrily to the horse, and it becomes afterward weak and
trembling. While the spasm of the muscles continue, the animal is in
constant pain, although it is less severe at some times than others.
TREATMENT.—Where a wound or injury has taken place, and tetanus
supervenes, it will be, of course, traced directly to this, and the
wound should at once be treated as recommended for that particular case.
If the discharge has suddenly stopped, it should be reproduced by mild,
warm applications to the part.
To relieve the local injury before mentioned, the bran poultice is
usually best, and should be applied quite warm, and repeated every two
or four hours, or when it gets dry or cold. Look carefully and see if a
nail has been driven into the quick of the foot or some such injury
done, and always relieve the local injury as far as possible. The horse
should be treated with the greatest possible kindness and not be handled
roughly or unkindly. The groom must not shout or speak angrily, and too
much light must not be admitted to the stable for the same reason.
Everything must be done in the most kind and quiet manner possible, as
you have here not only a muscular spasm, but a congested condition of
the brain also. Before giving the medicine, the lips, mouth and tongue,
should be cleaned with a cool, wet cloth or rag, and the saliva or mucus
cleared away. If the tongue or lips are dry, moisten them freely with
cold water before giving the medicine. Bathe the head and neck freely
and the stiffened muscles along the sides of the neck, from time to
time, with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, and it will be well to inject
into the anus a quart of linseed or olive oil to quicken the movements
of the bowels.
At the first indication of any _stiffness_ of the _jaws_, or
_contraction_ of the _eye-brows_ or any _other muscle_, which are
usually the earlier symptoms of Lock-jaw, give fifteen drops of A.A.,
and repeat the dose every hour.
If the disease has been occasioned by a _prick of the foot_ or any
injury of any _tendon_ or like structure, give B.B., in alternation with
A.A. In like manner the H.H. may be indicated and given in alternation
with the A.A., where the kidneys have been implicated in the cause and
there is _scanty_, _suppressed_, or _difficult Staling_ as the result.
FOOD.—When the jaws are firmly set, no food can be given, but there are
times when the spasms relax, and the jaws are rather wider apart than at
other periods. Green food and gruel may then be offered to the horse.
When the jaws become more open, he may have bran-tea, clover-tea, or hay
tea, gruel and such similar food. If the jaws cannot be opened, or he
cannot swallow, meal or oatmeal gruel may be injected, by means of a
large syringe, into the fundament, and life be thus prolonged and a
chance thus given for the REMEDY to act.
Care must be taken to feed sparingly when recovering, or indigestion and
a fatal relapse may be the consequence.
Spinal Meningitis
This disease has become quite common in late years, sometimes appearing
in isolated cases, but more frequently prevailing in certain cities or
sections of country; and to such an extent as to warrant the idea of an
epizootic influence. Often a large number of horses in a City, County or
State, are more or less seriously attacked. It is mostly observed in the
Winter and Spring, and is favored by changeable weather, damp or too
close stables. Epizootics of this disease have also been observed in
low-lying sandy regions, doubtless favored if not caused by hauling
heavy loads over deep sandy roads and being exposed when heated and sore
from such effort to cold drenching rains. The disease having once been
developed from such conditions readily extends itself without the
originating conditions being present. It is also more common among
mares, from their being over-worked or strained when in heat.
THE EARLIER SYMPTOMS ARE: Dullness, indisposition to move, head hanging
low, and evident pain and stiffness on moving, and especially on being
turned around. It loses intelligence and takes no notice of things going
on around him. There is more or less tenderness and shrinking on
pressure on some portion of the spine or along the entire spine, from
the hips forward, or on each side over the kidneys. The animal does not
stand or move firmly, but sways from side to side or staggers in
walking, or seems to drag the hind legs after him, or is easily pushed
one side, or even over, or leans against the stall when standing.
Finally the back gives out, and the horse falls down, or cannot rise; he
has no strength in the hind legs. The pulse at first is not much, or but
slightly increased in frequency or force, but by degrees becomes more
rapid. The urine is often scanty or suppressed, the dung dry, and the
animal has from the first a distressed, suffering look.
When the disease has attained its height, the pulse becomes quick and
the temperature raised, and there is swelling of the throat and
congestion of the lungs, and in some cases high delirium. Later there is
increasing stiffness, paralysis and death.
The disease is frequently fatal in the more severe cases, in two or
three days, but often continues from seven to ten days, and recoveries
are usually quite slow.
TREATMENT.—A.A. should be given in doses of fifteen drops at first,
every hour; then, after six or eight hours—the intervals may be every
two hours, and as the animal improves, the intervals between doses may
be prolonged to three hours.
If during the disease, THE URINE, or staling should become _very
scanty_, or be passed _with difficulty_, or _with straining_, or BE
SUPPRESSED, then the H.H., for urinary or kidney affections, should be
given, a dose of fifteen drops, in alternation with the A.A. That is,
give the A.A., and after two hours, give the H.H., then after two hours
again give the A.A., and so on until the secretion of water is fully
established, when the H.H. may be discontinued.
AFTER THE MORE URGENT STAGE OF THE DISEASE HAS PASSED OVER, the heat and
fever mostly gone, and there yet remains SOME WEAKNESS OR PARTIAL
PARALYSIS OF THE LOINS, indicated by swaying, tottering or shambling
gait, the J.K. should be given at intervals of six hours. It is the
special remedy for partial or complete paralysis, or for the weakness
and debility after sickness.
The horse should have a loose box, or wide, roomy stall, well littered
and reasonably warm, and in cool or cold weather, be well covered with
blankets, and his legs should be occasionally well hand rubbed. Let him
have bran mashes, or carrot tea, and pick at some good hay. The animal
should not be exercised or worked too soon after recovery.
CHAPTER VII.—PART I.
DISEASES OF THE RESPIRATORY ORGANS
Chill
This term is used to designate a transitory state or condition, which
may either terminate in recovery, or in severe inflammatory disease of
some important organ or affection, of which the chill is the first
stage. When a chill is present it is impossible to say, with certainty,
whether or what further derangement will ensue. But it is quite certain
an abnormal condition is already present, with the probability that it
will develop some disease or inflammation, of which we now have the
first or forming stage. Usually the length and violence of the chill is
in proportion to the importance of the organ attacked, and the character
of the morbid influence.
The _direct_ causes of a chill are: exposing the animal to cold
draughts; allowing him to drink freely of cold water, in very hot or
during very cold weather; exhausting him with labor and then placing him
in a damp stable; washing the legs with cold water, or riding him (while
in a state of perspiration), into a stream of cold water.
SYMPTOMS.—The symptoms which are usually observed before the chili
proper sets in, are: dullness or want of spirit on entering a stable
after a journey; hanging of the head; standing fixedly in one place;
taking little or no notice when spoken to; smelling at the food; picking
amongst it for a short time and then leaving it altogether. In addition
to these, the eye is dull and countenance dejected; the animal grinds
his teeth and breathes quicker than usual, while the pulse is rarely or
never disturbed at the commencement. Soon the coat will begin to prick
and the animal will begin to tremble with considerable violence; his
breathing will become more hurried, attended with a harsh blowing sound
in the nasal passages; the pulse still retaining its usual slow beat.
Sometimes the breathing becomes quick, hurried and loud “panting.” This
condition may continue half an hour, or even two hours or more, when the
patient will become more quiet, the breathing softer, more tranquil, the
skin and extremities warmer, and the pulse rises to fifty or even sixty
beats to the minute. From this condition the attack may, under judicious
treatment, pass off, and speedy recovery ensue; or, it may pass into a
Catarrhal Fever, or Pneumonia, or Bronchitis, or Lymphitis, or
Laminitis, or Inflammation of the bowels, or what is quite common, a
bad, obstinate cough.
TREATMENT.—With as little delay as may be, the patient should be
comfortably housed and blanketed, and fifteen drops of A.A., should be
given. If not better in half an hour, repeat it, and again at intervals
of half an hour, until the trembling and respiration have been relieved
and the chill has passed off. Then the animal may be safely left under
the influence of the same medicine, to be repeated every two or three
hours, so long as circumstances seem to require it.
Should any of the diseases above mentioned, or other, have become
developed, the treatment must be varied to meet that condition; the
particulars of which are to be sought under the respective sections in
this Manual. But it will most frequently be found that having met and
conquered the enemy at the threshold, but little more remains to be done
beyond care and rest, for the entire recovery of the animal.
Cold, Grippe, Catarrh
The nose and air-passages are lined with a delicate membrane, whose
office it is to secrete a thin mucous which lubricates the parts. Under
the influence of a chill, suppressed perspiration, etc., this membrane
becomes irritated, inflamed, and the discharge arrested, or it is
thickened, increased, or variously modified.
The symptoms usually are, the horse is not so lively as usual; he eats
little or no food; he coughs and sneezes; a watery discharge flows from
one or both nostrils, and also from the eyes, which are red and swelled.
In the more severe form, there is a chill, warm skin, quick pulse,
frequent and somewhat difficult breathing, sore throat, pain in the
throat when pinched, frequent cough, rough coat, bound bowels, red eyes,
and red and I dry nose; tears flow freely, and little or no food is
eaten—all symptoms indicating a catarrhal fever. As the animal improves,
the discharge from the nose becomes white or yellowish, and more
profuse.
Where numerous horses are attacked about the same time, the symptoms
assume a more severe form, attended with a greater degree of prostration
than in cases of common cold, and it then merits the name of INFLUENZA.
The symptoms of one year vary from those of another, and during the same
season all animals are not handled alike, though the general outline
will be the same. The attending fever is of a low grade, comes on
suddenly, and soon reaches its height, and lowness of spirits and
weakness are predominant. The symptoms are often as follows:
The horse is dull, low-spirited, and easily tired; he yawns and hangs
his head; his coat stares; sweats easily, and breathes quickly, when
slightly worked or moved. He eats little or nothing. As the disease
advances, the skin is sometimes hot and again cold; the mouth and tongue
are dry and hot; the white of the eye and nose are red; the bowels
bound; urine scanty; the eyelids swelled, partly closed, tears flow down
the face and fret the skin. The sides of the nostrils are also fretted
by the acrid discharge from them, which is sometimes very profuse. The
throat may be so inflamed that swallowing is attended with pain and
difficulty—the animal “quids” his food, and splashes the water with his
muzzle, being afraid to swallow either fluid or solid food. The throat
is painful, hot, and swelled on the outside; the glands are also
swelled, hard and painful, and sometimes come to a head. The cough is
frequent, sometimes coming on in fits, and breathing is sometimes quite
obstructed and difficult. When the disease has lasted some time, the
dung is slimy and mixed with blood, and the discharge from the nose is
sometimes bloody.
A common cold may terminate in inflammation of the bronchia or lungs, by
extending downward, or it may be cured and expend itself merely in the
nose and throat. So an Influenza may extend and involve the pulmonary
tissue, and is far more grave than is usually supposed.
TREATMENT.—When the disease commences with a chill, or any considerable
degree of fever is present, give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat it
several times, at intervals of one or two hours. Then alternate the
Remedy E.E., with the fever medicine, at intervals of two or three
hours, until the disease is broken up and the horse is well. In case of
Influenza, even with very threatening symptoms, the E.E., and A.A.,
should be given alternately, say every two hours, in doses of fifteen
drops; keeping the animal well covered and in a warm stable. After all
the feverish symptoms have disappeared, only the E.E., will be required,
and the intervals between the doses may be prolonged as the animal
improves. In case the discharge from the nose is profuse or thick and
excoriating, or when the sore throat is present, or predominates, C.C.,
is better than the E.E., and may be given alone, or better, in
alternation with A.A.
When the _legs become swelled_, with _scanty urine_, H.H., should be
interposed, either alone or in alternation with C.C., at the same
intervals and doses, and this may be continued to the conclusion of the
case, either alone or in alternation with the E.E.
Influenza—Pink Eye—Horse Distemper
This disease is well known among horse dealers, and in the stables of
all our large cities. It is not so often found in the open country, but
cases occur where green or young horses are taken from pasture and
subjected to the closer atmosphere and changed diet of a warm stable. It
is generally found among green horses who have been brought from the
country to our large cities for sale or use, and quite, a large
proportion of all such horses are more or less seriously affected by it.
The disease is really a Catarrhal Influenza, whose symptoms are
variously modified and only possibly received the now generally accepted
name of PINK EYE, from a frequent appearance of the eye in the earlier
stages of the malady. The supposed causes have been sufficiently above
hinted.
SYMPTOMS.—There is a wide diversity in the symptoms, but the more common
manifestations are as follows: The horse is first observed to be
_dumpish_, dull and disinclined to move, or moving clumsily, and looks
as if he had been sick; the vessels of the eye are distended, turgid,
the inner lid and corners being unnaturally red (whence, probably, the
name), the lids become swollen, the animal shrinks from the light and
tears trickle over the eyelid, and lumps of purulent matter occasionally
gum up or fill the angles. The head seems heavy and hangs down, or he
rests it upon the manger. First one hind leg and then the other swells
and becomes infiltrated with fluid, extending from the fetlock up and
filling the sheath, and often along under the belly with an immense
infiltration of fluid. This swelling is considered characteristic, comes
on suddenly, affects the whole limb, groin and sheath. The hair from the
first looks unhealthy, and has a rough feeling; the ears, nose and limbs
are cold or wet, according to the stage of the disease. The appetite is
poor from the first, and an attempt to swallow shows that the throat is
sore; the fauces will be found inflamed, the tongue is foul, thickly
coated, and saliva runs freely, though in some cases the mouth is dry
and feverish; the dung is voided in small quantities, as all the
functions seem torpid. In some cases the glands of the neck become
involved, tenderness and swelling is found on examination, and this
swelling may soften and terminate in an abscess under the jaw. There is
not unfrequently a cough. After a few days, a discharge from the nose
sets in, which is considered a favorable crisis.
TREATMENT.—The patient should have the benefit of a pure atmosphere—the
more elevated, pure and uncontaminated, the better to arrest blood
deterioration—and be covered according to the temperature of the stable
and season. The limbs may be rubbed and clothed if cold, but not rubbed
if they are hot and feverish. In the febrile stage, the natural covering
is sufficient. Fat horses need but trifling food, and bran mashes,
scalded spout feed, or green food in moderation are best until the turn
of the disease.
Give with the first indication of the disease, the A.A., which repeat at
intervals of three hours, in doses of fifteen drops. This may be
continued one, two or more days, so long as the pulse is quick, mouth
hot, or general fever, or swelled, reddish eyes. When, however, _the
throat_ is found to be sore, _glands_ under the jaws _swelled or tender_
on pressure, or there is a discharge from the nose, the C.C., is more
appropriate, and should be substituted for the A.A., and the same doses
given at the same intervals. If, however, there is yet with the above
fever and heat, the two remedies may be given alternately—first A.A.,
then C.C., at intervals of three hours between the doses.
After the _legs_ and _sheath_ have begun to swell, the H.H., is in
order, and should be given to rouse into activity the urinary secretion,
and so reduce the swelling. Give then the H.H., every three hours, in
alternation with the C.C., and so continue until the disease is arrested
and the patient is convalescent. Too great care cannot be exercised when
the legs are swelled, to _let the horse stand_, not to move or exercise
the patient, as the movement or exercise while the legs are swelled or
hot, invariably aggravates the difficulty, and may cause it to extend to
the lungs or other important organs. Take the feed away, or keep the
feed very low, no grain, only a bran-mash, or pick at a little hay, and
let the horse stand, and the swelling will disappear with the use of the
medicines mentioned. If from cold or exposure, or an extension of the
morbid process, the _lungs should become involved_ and Pneumonia be
present, the disease will require to be treated by the A.A., and E.E.,
as directed for that disease, which see.
Any weakness, or loss of appetite or condition, remaining as a sequel of
the disease, will be removed by the use of J.K., giving fifteen drops
three times a day.
Cough
Cough is so well known as to require no description. It is in almost all
cases a mere symptom of some disease or morbid condition of the air
passages, such as a cold, bronchitis, catarrh, or other more serious
affection of the chest, upon the cure of which it disappears. In some
cases, however, this affection is so slight as to occasion only cough as
a symptom of its existence, and the cough may be said to be idiopathic.
Continued cough predisposes to inflammation, yet some horses have a
slight cough for years without being otherwise unwell. Other coughs are
connected with thick wind, broken wind, glanders, worms and indigestion.
TREATMENT.—For chronic coughs fifteen drops of E.E., morning and night.
In complicated or recent cases, the Remedy may be given four times per
day. Sometimes the A.A., is more efficient, even when no fever or heat
is apparent. For catarrhal coughs, give C.C., either alone or in
alternation with A.A.
Heaves, Broken Wind, Thick Wind, Whistles
These are merely varieties of nearly one and the same pathological
condition, and the distinctions lead to no practical result in my method
of treatment.
THICK WIND is generally the result of an imperfectly cured bronchitis or
pneumonia, leaving either the mucous membrane of the bronchia
permanently thickened, or some portions of the lung more or less
solidified, thus impairing its capacity and diminishing or destroying
its elasticity. Hence, the horse when exercised, especially up hill,
breathes short, hurriedly, and more laboriously than in health. This
causes much distress, the horse expands his nostrils, heaves, pants and
breathes with difficulty.
BROKEN WIND is the result of _emphysema_ of the lungs, that is, the
minute air-cells in certain portions of the lungs become dilated, lose
their elasticity or power of contraction, and breaking one into another,
form variously-sized sacks of air, the entrance to which becomes closed,
so that this air remains resident in the lungs and so far destroys its
use. Spasm of the air-tubes acts in a similar manner, hence it may come
and go, but the former condition is more or less permanent. Spasm, or
disease of the midriff, is frequently connected with it. The usual
symptoms are: the flanks are slowly drawn up until they have a tucked up
appearance, when they suddenly fall down. The act of forcing the air
_from the lungs_ is far more difficult, and requires longer time than to
_inspire_ or draw it in. There is also a short, weak, wheezing cough,
rough, dry coat; greediness for food, yet the animal is thin and looks
poor; the belly is swelled with wind; oats often pass unchanged from the
bowels.
TREATMENT.—Some cases of broken and thick wind cannot be cured, as they
depend upon organic changes in the structure of the lungs, themselves
incurable, yet all can be benefited by the persistent use of the proper
remedies, and proper attention to food and work.
In all cases of this disease, of whatever variety, if recent or
extensive, give fifteen drops of E.E., noon and at night, and the same
of A. A., each morning. In old, long standing cases, give fifteen drops
of the A.A., every morning, and the same of E.E., at night, continuing
the treatment with perseverance.
FOOD.—As the animal suffers from want of space in the chest, so the
distension of the stomach with an undue quantity of food tends much to
increase the difficulty. Hence the most condensed form of food is best,
plenty of oats and little hay, but no chaff, straw, or bloating feed,
water in moderate quantities, but never to repletion until the day’s
work is over. Green food, carrots especially, are always useful. They
are readily digested, and are peculiarly beneficial to the respiratory
organs. On the contrary, bloating, flatulent, poor feed, will tend to
increase, and may even occasion, broken wind. The horse should not be
worked soon after a full meal.
Bronchitis
From exposure to wet and cold; sudden changes of weather; turning the
horse into a cold, wet place, or bringing him from grass to a warm
stable; standing in a draft of cold air, or washing the warm, sweating
skin and not drying it afterwards, an inflammation of the bronchial
tubes and minute air-cells takes place, meriting the name of BRONCHITIS.
SYMPTOMS.—The disease generally begins with a slight cough, quick
breathing, sore throat, low spirits, dislike of food, slight discharge
from the nostrils, pain of the throat when pinched, and some difficulty
of swallowing. In some cases, it comes on suddenly with shaking; the
legs, ears and muzzle are at one time hot and at another cold; the skin
is rough and staring; the head hung down; mouth hot; the animal remains
standing, and does not wish to move; pulse is full and quick; the cough
short, frequent, and irritating; the breathing quick and difficult; the
eyes and nose red, and rattles are heard in the windpipe at the breast.
A profuse discharge of matter from the nostrils indicates the period
from which improvement commences.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., and E.E., alternately every three
hours, beginning with A.A. After a day or two, as the animal improves,
the intervals between the doses may be prolonged to four or six hours.
Keep the animal well covered and protected until recovery takes place.
After the feverish symptoms have disappeared the E.E., may be relied
upon.
STABLING AND FOOD.—In all cases of serious disease of the lungs or
air-passages, the horse should be placed in a large, roomy stable or
stall, into which the fresh air may freely come, but all damp draughts
of air excluded; all dung, damp and dirty straw carefully removed;
spread clean straw on the floor; blanket him according to the season,
the state of the weather, and skin; hand-rub and flannel bandage the
legs every night and morning, or oftener if necessary.
For food, bran mashes, gruel, and tempered water only; when recovering,
malt or bran mashes, boiled oats, turnips, carrots, and green food, if
in season.
Inflammation of the Larynx, Laryngitis
The larynx is the upper portion of the windpipe, and inflammation of it
sometimes occurs and is very dangerous. It is not often unmixed, but is
generally accompanied with, or is an extension of, cold or bronchitis,
and its causes are the same.
It is sometimes a dangerous disease, and may kill by suffocation or
degenerate into bronchitis, or pneumonia. It is recognized by the
difficulty of respiration, WHICH IS LOUD AND HEARD AT A DISTANCE.
The outside of the throat is hot, painful and swelled; swallowing is
sometimes difficult, and the fluid even may return by the nose; the
breathing is short and difficult, and when the air is drawn into the
lungs, a rough, harsh sound is heard in the larynx; the cough, at first
short and hard, becomes more hoarse and feeble, and occurs in fits,
especially during an attempt to swallow; the pulse is quick, hard and
full, and skin hot. As the disease advances the breathing becomes more
difficult, and is attended with a rasping, crowing sound, the neck is
straightened and held stiffly, the head raised and larynx drawn towards
the breast, the nostrils are widened, the nose lead colored, the eyes
red, skin damp with sweat, the pulse becomes weak and irregular, and at
last from the increasing narrowness of the windpipe, the horse actually
dies for want of breath.
TREATMENT.—The treatment is by no means difficult or complicated. Give
fifteen drops of A.A., every hour, during the violence of the disease,
and until the difficult breathing has abated and the animal becomes
comparatively easy. Then the intervals may be prolonged to two and then
to three hours, or more, until entire relief is obtained. If a cough
remains, the E.E. may be given in alternation, with the A.A.
Should the windpipe be very sore to the touch outside, it may be
occasionally bathed with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL with advantage.
Nasal Gleet
This is the term applied to an old, long standing, running from the
nose. It arises from a morbid condition of the lining membrane of the
nose, and is often the result of a badly treated or neglected cold,
especially in old, worn out horses, and is similar to catarrh in the
human species. Sometimes a diseased tooth in the upper jaw may give rise
to a similar discharge, but this is not a true gleet. An almost
incredible quantity of thickened mucous of different colors sometimes
passes, if the horse is at grass, almost as green as the food on which
he lives; or if he be stabled, white, straw-colored, brown, or even
bloody, and sometimes evidently mingled with matter or pus; and either
constantly running, or snorted out in masses many times in the day.
Sometimes the discharge comes only from one nostril, at other times both
nostrils are affected; in some cases the glands under the jaw are
enlarged, in other cases no enlargement can be discovered; perhaps after
the discharge has been very copious for some time it suddenly stops, and
the animal remains free from any discharge for several weeks, when it
comes on again as bad as ever; generally speaking, exercise increases
the discharge. Horses affected with this disease have been known to
continue free from any discharge for six or eight weeks, whilst they
have continued to rest; they have been taken to work, and in a day or
two the discharge has returned as bad as before.
SYMPTOMS.—The discharge is yellowish or like cream and in some cases
greenish. It may be discharged in clots, or of some thickness,
constantly flowing, or snorted out in quantities; it may come from both
nostrils, but generally only from the left. The glands under the left
jaw are often fixed, hard, and painful. The membrane of the nose has a
lead color. The discharge may stop for a time, and then come on again,
more profuse than before. After continuing a long time, the animal
becomes thin and poor, and may finally die.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of C.C., three times per day. It will be
found quite sufficient to entirely control and finally arrest it in
recent cases, and will not fail to benefit even the most inveterate.
Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Inflammation of the Chest
The pleura is the delicate serous membrane, covering the lungs with one
surface, and lining the cavity of the chest with the other. Systematic
writers treat of the inflammation of this membrane, Pleurisy, and that
of the substance of the lungs, Pneumonia, separately. But as this rarely
occurs in fact, and leads to no practical result in the treatment, and
indeed can be rarely detected before death, I prefer the more practical
course of treating them together. An inflammation of the lungs rarely or
never remains so, but eventually involves the pleura more or less, and
so an inflammation of the pleura always involves more or less
extensively, the pulmonary substance.
CAUSES.—Catarrh, Influenza, Cold, or bronchial irritation may, either of
them, terminate in this disease if neglected, or from fresh exposure. A
sudden transition from heat to cold; change from a warm stable to a
colder one; neglect of the usual blanketing, or even of other comforts;
hard and long riding against a cold wind in snowy weather; loitering in
an exposed, bleak place, when the horse is fatigued and warm, without
covering. It sometimes occurs when horses are suddenly turned out to
grass, or when they have been taken up and turned into a very warm
stable. Injuries, contusion, rupture, or great violence done to the
chest, is quite sure to be followed by Pleurisy.
SYMPTOMS.—For conveniences sake, we will indicate the symptoms of these
two branches of the disease separately. Pleurisy invariably commences
with shaking all over, followed by a hot, dry mouth, white coated
tongue, red nose and eyes, low spirits, want of appetite, anxious look,
and hard, quick, wiry pulse. The act of drawing the air _into the lungs_
is short, and stops, or is cut off at a certain point, at which time the
pain is felt; the act of forcing the air _from the lungs_ is full and
slow. The pain is increased by coughing and taking full breath which the
horse will do if suddenly moved or frightened. If the inflamed side is
pressed upon, he gives forth a sound like a grunt; the cough is short;
the horse remains standing; the skin on the inflamed side is thrown into
folds, and twitches are occasionally seen at the same place. The
painfulness of the spaces between the ribs when pressed upon, is quite
characteristic, and often exists to an intense degree. The horse shrinks
from it with a low grunt, and tries to get away. The skin about the
sides of the nostrils and at the ends of the mouth is wrinkled. The neck
is lengthened, and nose thrust forward; the horse stands in a crouching
manner, and seems uneasy, but does not move. As the disease advances,
the pulse becomes more frequent, and afterwards smaller, until it can
scarcely be felt; the breathing becomes quicker and more painful and
catching, when the air is drawn into the lungs. Then by degrees, no
catch is seen or grunt heard, the twitches are not observed, cold,
clammy sweats break out over the body, the horse appears dull and
stupid, and death closes the scene.
The pleura, like all serous membranes, has a strong tendency to
effusion, or exudation of fluid, during an inflammatory action, and in
the course of the disease, this effusion, consisting of yellowish serum,
is exuded, in quantities varying from a few ounces to a bucket full. It
occurs in all severe cases, and the fluid either is again absorbed, if
in small quantity, or is the immediate cause of death, if in very large
quantity, or a lesser amount may remain for a long time, impeding
respiration, and forming an empyema or dropsy of the chest. When it
exists, the breathing is always labored, and there is _œdema_ or tumid
swelling of some external part, generally the abdomen, chest, or point
of the breast.
By listening with the ear against the chest, the progress of the
effusion may be traced from below upward. Above it will be heard the
loud crackling respiration and grating peculiar to the disease; below,
the dullness and stillness of the lung enveloped in fluid, the absence
of sound, marks the line of the accumulated fluid, its increase and
diminution.
IN PNEUMONIA, the symptoms differ from Pleurisy, yet the difference
manifests itself in this, that in _Pleurisy_ there is more pain, and in
_Pneumonia_ more difficult breathing. Pneumonia is often a consequence
of a cold, bronchitis, or the termination of some disease of the
air-passages, and may begin with symptoms of a cold—rough coat, want of
appetite, low spirits, etc. In other cases, it begins with a shivering
chill; the legs, ears and skin are cold; the coat is rough; the nose
pale and dry; quick pulse, which afterwards becomes frequent and full;
breathing at first quick, then panting and heaving; the skin now becomes
hot, except _the legs, which remain very cold_. This is a
_characteristic symptom and will never deceive_; the nose and eyes are
red; mouth hot and dry; the eyes have a yellowish color, and the horse
looks uneasy and restless.
As the disease extends, the breathing becomes more difficult, and is
attended with heaving of the flanks; the nostrils are much widened; the
nose and head held out; the neck lengthened; the forelegs are fixed in
one place, and spread apart; the nose and eyes have a dark blueish
color; the face looks anxious and disturbed; _the legs_ and ears are
_very cold_; the legs seem fine, and the hair upon them glossy; the
cough is more frequent, hard and painful; the horse seems drowsy; there
is no appetite; the dung is hard and covered with slime, and the urine
high-colored and scanty.
In the last stage, the pulse is small, weak, and can scarcely be felt,
the breathing is quicker and more difficult; the breath is very hot; the
eyes and nose are lead colored; the skin is cold, and clammy sweat
breaks out upon it here and there; the mouth is cold; the tongue is
coated; the teeth are ground every now and then, and twitches are
occasionally seen. The eyes become more and more heavy, glassy and dim;
the strength becomes less and less; the horse leans against the stall or
manger, or wanders around; he staggers and falls; tries to rise, but
cannot; groans, struggles and dies.
As an improvement takes place, the horse appears more natural, warmth
returns to his extremities, his breathing is more free, pulse softer,
fuller and less frequent, cough easier, _and he lies down_ quietly, and
without uneasiness. These good symptoms rarely or never deceive.
Placing the ear against the ribs, upon various parts of the chest, we
may learn with some practice to distinguish the progress of
inflammation. In the healthy lung, the air passes in with a slight,
rustling murmur, quite characteristic, and which, once heard, will
always be recognized. As the lung becomes inflamed, “crepitation” takes
place and we hear a sound, slightly cracking, like that made by salt
thrown into the fire, or by rubbing the hair between the fingers close
to the ear. As by degrees the lung becomes more intensely inflamed, it
is more and more impervious to the air, until it becomes “hepatized” or
solid, and gives no sound, and no resonance when percussed, or struck
upon. These changes are interesting, and afford to the practised ear
clear indications of the state and progress of the disease.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., every two hours, for the first
twenty-four hours. After that, give the E.E., alternately with the A.A.,
at intervals of two or three hours between the doses.
Continue this treatment steadily and uniformly by night as well as by
day, if the attack is severe, giving no other medicine, and making no
deviation. After a day or two, with the remission of the more violent
symptoms, the A.A. may be omitted entirely, and only the E.E. given, as
also after the disease has turned, and during convalescence. After the
horse has commenced to improve, a dose of E.E., every four hours during
the day, will be sufficient. The treatment is the same whether symptoms
of Pleurisy or Pneumonia predominate.
Stabling and food as under Bronchitis.
We should bear in mind that in all severe cases of this disease,
resolution does not take place under four days, and if an improvement
takes place in one, two or three days, we should be satisfied. Rare
indeed will be the cases that do not terminate favorably under
Humphreys’ Homeopathic practice, carefully applied.
CHAPTER VIII.—PART I.
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS
Dentition or Difficult Teething
The cutting or shedding of the teeth, and especially of the tushes, is
sometimes attended with considerable disorder of the body. The animal
either will not eat his food, or he has pain and difficulty in chewing
it; the body grows thin; bowels are out of order; humors may break out
in the skin, and there may be cough and slight fever present. The gum is
hot, painful and swelled.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., three times per day. This soon
relieves the feverish irritation, and the tooth usually makes its way
quietly to the surface. Nicking the gum directly over the tooth in the
form of a cross is sometimes beneficial. If teeth are very slow in
coming, showing an evident deficiency of bony deposit, an oyster shell
burned to lime, and broken or ground in his feed, will promote the
growth and production of bone, and be of service.
Diseased or Irregular Teeth
Sometimes the teeth of a horse present irregularities. Some of the teeth
are too long, or become ragged. As a consequence, the tongue or cheeks
are wounded, and the horse eats imperfectly, has pain, drops or “quids”
his food. Whenever this condition is found, if the difficulty does not
mend itself, the long teeth should be extracted if loose, or be filed
down, and the points of the ragged teeth smoothed off.
Decayed teeth produce similar symptoms. In addition, a bad smell exudes
from the mouth; stringy saliva flows away in large quantities, and the
eyes may be inflamed. If allowed to remain, the fang may become
diseased, the socket and gum inflame, an abscess form, and a portion of
the jaw-bone may die. If in the upper jaw, the matter may burst into the
nose and be discharged. It is of bad smell and color, and has been
mistaken for nasal gleet and glanders.
_Examine carefully with the finger_, and by feeling along the jaw, see
if there is any swelling or indentation, or if there is any old stub or
loosened tooth, a milk tooth that has been pushed one side, or down, or
is loose, making the gum inflamed or painful and preventing the animal
from properly eating his food. If so, remove the stub or loose tooth, or
file off the ragged portion, so that the mouth may become sound and
healthy. Sometimes a thick, unhealthy discharge from the nostrils has
been mistaken for glanders, when the real difficulty was from diseased
teeth.
TREATMENT.—Draw out the diseased tooth, and give fifteen drops of A.A.,
each morning, and the same dose of C.C., at night, for several days.
Lampas
Occasionally the bars of the mouth swell and rise to a level with, and
even beyond, the teeth, occasioning soreness, pain, and difficulty of
eating. It is most common in young horses, in connection with the
cutting and shedding of teeth, from congestion and the extension of the
inflammation of the gums during this process. It also occurs in old
horses; for the growth of teeth in horses continues during life.
Derangement of stomach, or worms, is sometimes connected with it.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., two or three times per day. This
will soon relieve the irritation and swelling. Should there be any
derangement of the digestive organs, a few doses of J.K., given morning
and night, will promptly relieve not only the derangement of the
stomach, but the Lampas also.
Swelling or soreness of the gums will be promptly relieved by giving
fifteen drops of J.K., daily, or even, morning and night.
The searing of the bars with a hot iron, as is sometimes practiced by
cruel and ignorant smith’s, cannot be too strongly condemned. It
tortures the horse to no purpose, renders the mouth callous, and
destroys the delicacy and sensibility of a part upon which all the
pleasure of driving and riding consists, while it is totally
unnecessary.
Crib-Biting
Much has been written about crib-biting or wind sucking. It has
sometimes been regarded as a vicious habit and at other times as
connected with indigestion. However, there is much better basis for
believing it to be a bad habit than anything else.
Horses that are worked regularly every day rarely develop it; and it is
only among horses which are only used occasionally, and which stand for
long hours in the stall, that we find it. Also in a stable of the latter
kind if one horse starts it the others soon follow his example.
TREATMENT.—Many things have been tried, but the best results have been
obtained by giving the horse plenty of regular work. If there is any
disturbance of the digestive organs which has been occasioned by the
wind sucking J.K. would be the proper remedy.
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite, or diminished appetite, is but a mere symptom of some
more general affection. It is a symptom of almost every disease, and
especially of every morbid condition of the digestive organs. There are
cases, however, in which this seems the most prominent symptom; and the
animal appears well in every other respect, save that he does not eat.
The teeth should be examined, and, if needful, corrected. We should see
also if the throat is sore. In general, loss of appetite will be found
connected with a morbid or unhealthy condition of the digestive organs,
and will yield to a few doses of J.K., fifteen drops, morning and night.
This is also the appropriate remedy for defective appetite or the
weakness which often remains after acute disease.
Ill Condition, Indigestion
In consequence of over-feeding, bad food, suddenly changing the kind of
food, working the horse too soon after eating too much food, or bad and
uneven teeth, which prevent the horse from chewing his food well, the
following condition presents itself:
SYMPTOMS.—The skin has the condition known as hidebound; the horse
sweats easily; he is weak, and cannot work so long or with so much
spirit as in health; he is thin and does not fatten; his tongue is foul;
mouth slimy; the dung is dry, mixed with undigested oats, or it is slimy
or bad smelling; the water is variable, scanty and thick, or clear and
abundant, and there is a short, frequent cough. Sometimes he eats very
greedily, and at others will eat nothing placed before him, or will take
one kind of food and leave another, or he likes dirty straw or his
bedding better than the best oats or hay, or, in some instances, his
morbid appetite leads him to lick the wall or eat plaster from it.
It is sometimes accompanied by dullness or dizziness (stomach staggers).
TREATMENT.—Correct the feeding. Give not too much, and only that most
acceptable at first. Give J.K., three times per day for a week, then
J.K. morning and noon, and I.I., at night.
Colic
This is one of the most common diseases of the horse. The passage of
food along the bowels is effected by the alternate contraction and
relaxation of the muscular coat of the intestines. Hence it is easy to
perceive that flatulent or irritating food, food in too large
quantities, large quantities of green food that produce much gas, masses
of hard, dry dung, or sudden chill upon the warm skin, all may produce
irregular contraction of the intestines, and hence produce pain and
colic. Tumors, worms and stones also produce the same result.
SYMPTOMS.—In colic the attack begins suddenly. The animal is uneasy;
shifts his position, paws or stamps the ground, kicks his belly with his
hind feet, looks frequently at his flanks, groans, falls upon the ground
and rolls about violently, or lies on his back, in which posture he
remains for a short time, seeming quiet and free from pain. Soon,
however, the pain comes on again, even with symptoms of greater
intensity than before. He throws himself widely about, careless of the
injuries he receives during these moments of agony and tossing. He
grinds his teeth, bites the manger, and looks towards his flanks with a
wild, anxious expression. If he improves, the paroxysms become less
frequent and less violent, and free intervals longer, until entire
relief; or if worse, the pain becomes more and more intense, paroxysms
more frequent, until there is no free intervals; inflammation results,
the ears and legs become cold, pulse small and wiry, and the animal dies
from the results of the inflammation.
Many of the symptoms of colic are similar to those of inflammation of
the bowels, and as the latter is by far the most formidable disease, we
will endeavor to distinguish them, so as to avoid mistake.
The attack of colic is sudden, while that of inflammation is more
gradual. In colic, the pulse is rarely quickened, and never so early in
the disease, while in inflammation it is very quick and small even from
the first.
In colic, the legs and ears are of the natural temperature. In
inflammation, they are cold. In colic, there is relief from rubbing the
bowels, and from motion. In Inflammation, the bowels are very tender,
and motion vastly augments the pain. In colic, there are intervals of
rest, while in inflammation there is constant pain. In colic, the
strength is scarcely affected, while in inflammation there is great and
rapidly increasing weakness.
Attention to these peculiarities will enable one to distinguish between
the two diseases, and to avoid error in the treatment.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of F.F., on the tongue, and repeat the
dose every half, or even quarter of an hour, until relieved, omitting
the medicine altogether, or giving it at longer intervals as soon as the
amendment is perceived. We have in the F.F., a remedy which rarely fails
to arrest this disease.
If, at the commencement or during the progress of the disease, fever and
inflammatory symptoms should also exist, then alternate the A.A., with
the F.F., at the intervals mentioned.
If the attack has clearly been occasioned by an _over-feed_, or by bad,
heavy, indigestible food, it will be best to alternate the J.K., with
F.F., at the intervals directed.
The colic not unfrequently comes from the kidneys, which may be
suspected by the horse making frequent attempts at staling, or his
passing scanty, thick or bloody urine. In these cases, give fifteen
drops of H.H., every half hour, alone or in alternation, with the A.A.
Should there be suspicion that Bots or Worms are an exciting cause, the
D.D., may be alternated with F.F., fifteen drops every half hour or
hour.
N. B.—In cases of colic the greatest danger and the worst possible fault
is injudicious haste and giving _too many and improper things_.
Thousands of horses are killed by the drugs given to cure colic where
one dies of the disease itself. Give only HUMPHREYS’ REMEDIES, and at
the intervals as directed, however urgent as the case may appear. Your
success and safety are in following the directions implicitly.
Tympanitis, Drum-Belly, or Wind-Colic
This is merely a form of colic characterized by an enormous production
of flatulence. The pain is sharper, the animal more furious and violent
than in ordinary colic; the belly on both sides is more or less swelled
with wind; there are rumbling noises and frequent discharges of wind. It
is usually the result of eating or gorging with green, flatulent food.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of F.F., every half hour, or even more
frequently if the case is very urgent. It will soon be relieved.
Afterwards, a few doses of J.K., fifteen drops morning and night, will
be of benefit.
Enteritis, Inflammation of the Bowels, Red Colic
There are two varieties of this disease, one in which the external coats
of the intestines are inflamed, and attended with constipation, and the
other, in which there is irritation of the internal mucous surface of
the intestines, and attended with purging.
The most frequent CAUSE is sudden cold upon a warm, perspiring skin, or
even a cold drink when very hot; over-fed horses, subjected to long and
severe exercise, are most liable to it; stones and hard dung in the
bowels; and especially colic badly treated, and drugged with all sorts
of medicines, often terminates in Inflammation of the Bowels.
The symptoms of this disease are very like those of colic, only in the
latter disease there are intervals of rest, or cessation of pain, and
there is little or no alteration of the pulse; whilst in inflammation of
the bowels there is _no abatement of the pain_, but the animal is
continually lying down and rolling about, getting up and then dropping
down suddenly. The pulse is very much quickened, small and hard; the
artery appears like a cord, under the finger; the extremities are cold;
the animal frequently turns his head toward the flanks; the abdomen is
hard and tender; as the disease advances, the breathing becomes
accelerated, the eyes staring and wild, the pulse imperceptible at the
jaw; a cold sweat breaks out over the whole body. This state continues
for some time, when suddenly the animal appears to get better, he gets
up, and stands quietly; the eyes lose their lustre, the extremities
become deadly cold, there is a tremulous agitation of the muscles,
particularly the fore part of the body; after a short time, he begins to
totter and stagger about, and soon falls down headlong, and dies.
SYMPTOMS.—The disease begins, in most cases, with dullness, heavy eyes,
staring coat, restlessness and moving about from one place to another;
the pulse and breathing are both quickened; no appetite. Some cases
begin with colic, others with shivering. The animal paws, kicks, and
rolls about in the most violent manner at first; often strains and tries
to pass water, but either none or only a few drops come away; the pain
is most intense, and does not cease for an instant, and is increased by
pressure and moving about; the belly is hot, tucked up, and hard, unless
there is wind in the bowels, when it will be more or less swelled; the
bowels are very costive, though small, hard, dry masses may be passed,
except in cases where the internal surface, or mucous membrane, is the
seat of disease, in which case small, purging, bloody stools are
frequently passed; the legs and ears are intensely cold; the pulse small
and hard; and sweat in the latter stages breaks out all over. Still
further on, the pulse becomes smaller and weaker, until it can scarcely
be felt; the breathing is quick, irregular, and attended with sighs; the
skin is covered with a cold, clammy sweat; the eyes seem to have lost
their power of seeing, he becomes very weak; and trembles all over;
convulsions come on, and death soon follows.
Consider carefully the distinctions between Colic and inflammation, as
given under the article on Colic.
TREATMENT.—As early as possible, give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat
the doses every half hour. After the animal is somewhat relieved,
continue the medicine at longer intervals. If not better in two hours,
the F.F., may be alternated with the A.A., at the intervals mentioned.
This will be especially indicated if there should be frequent purging
small stools, blood-stained or otherwise. After the inflammatory
symptoms have subsided, give a dose or two of the J.K.
N. B.—As constipation exists in inflammation of the bowels, many persons
suppose it to be the cause of the disease, and resort to the most
desperate means to remove it. This is all wrong. Remove the
inflammation, and the bowels will then move of themselves, while the
balls and cathartics administered during the inflammation will only
increase the difficulty.
Peritonitis, Inflammation of the Peritoneum
The delicate membrane lining the abdominal cavity, and covering the
parts within it, is termed the peritoneum, and is occasionally the
subject of inflammation.
It not unfrequently follows the gelding of the horse, especially if he
is too soon afterwards turned out to grass, or during cold and wet
weather. Exposure to cold standing in draughts of air, or drinking cold
water may produce it; and it follows a stab in the belly or a rupture of
some of the viscera, and the flow of the contents into the abdomen.
SYMPTOMS.—A few days after cutting the colt, the yard and sheath will be
found swelled and painful; little or no matter flows from the cut; the
animal is restless and uneasy; the body is painful when pressed against,
and is swelled with watery fluid; the legs are cold; the bowels are
bound; the skin is rough and dry; no food is eaten; if loose, he rests
his hind quarters on the side of the stall; the swelling in the breast,
legs and sheath increases; the breathing becomes quick and painful; the
pulse hard, quick, and by degrees small and weak. These gradually become
worse, until the animal dies.
There is a slow form of this disease, as follows: poor appetite; low
spirits; uneasiness; occasional pawing the ground; looking at the belly
and groaning; belly painful when pressed upon, and tucked up; quick
breathing; small, weak pulse; bound bowels; awkward way of walking with
the hind legs; mouth dry; and bad smelling; body thin; coat staring and
unthrifty; urine scanty; weakness. As the disease advances, the abdomen
fills with a watery fluid, and the disease terminates as dropsy.
TREATMENT.—From the commencement, the A.A., is the most important
remedy, and may be given, fifteen drops, every two hours, during the
more urgent symptoms, and then at longer intervals for the acute form.
If there should be purging, alternate the F.F. with the A.A., at
intervals of two hours, and then leas frequently as the disease
improves.
In the slow form of the disease, the alternate use of J.K. and F.F.,
four times per day, will be found most effectual in preventing a
termination in dropsy, and in restoring the animal.
Jaundice, Yellows, Diseased Liver
Young horses rarely have diseased livers, but at the age of eight or
nine years, the disease is more common, and, in some cases, quite
suddenly, the covering of the liver gives way, and symptoms of fatal
peritonitis appear.
SYMPTOMS.—Jaundice, or Yellows, is more frequent, and is marked thus:
The animal is dull, sleepy, and unwilling to move; he eats little or
nothing; the coat stares; the urine is scanty; the dung light-colored
and in lumps. The nose, tongue, eyes and mouth become yellow, from the
abundance of bile in the blood. The urine is very thick, dark-colored
and full of bile. The right side is painful when pressed against, and
the horse looks towards it, he may be lame in the right fore-leg, or paw
the ground with it. These symptoms may increase, and cough, quick
breathing, and full, quick pulse, be added, which afterwards becomes
quite weak and slow, and the legs very cold. He then becomes more and
more dull, stupid and sleepy, staggers, falls to the ground, and dies.
TREATMENT.—Rarely will anything more be required than the J.K., of which
a dose of fifteen drops may be given, four times per day.
Should there be heat, fever or inflammatory symptoms, a few doses of the
A.A., will be proper, not merely for the heat and fever, but for the
obstruction of the liver as well. In severe cases, these two remedies
may be alternated with the most brilliant success, even when there is no
fever apparent. Give fifteen drops every four hours, alternately, first
A.A., next J.K., and so on.
Costiveness, Bound Bowels
This is usually a mere symptom of some other disease, upon the removal
of which the costiveness disappears. But sometimes, in consequence of
dry food, deficient action of the liver, want of exercise, or a
paralytic condition of the digestive organs, it may require attention.
TREATMENT.—The animal should have regular exercise, green food or bran
mashes night and morning, with but little oats, or other heating or dry
food. Give fifteen drops of J.K., night and morning, and the condition
will soon be corrected.
Bots and Worms
Bots in the horse, like worms in the human system, have usually a great
many sins to answer for, which are really chargeable elsewhere. It is a
principle in the economy of nature, that one animal should feed upon or
live within another, and hence every animal, and almost every organ,
also, has its peculiar parasite or inhabitant. Such parasites are rarely
injurious. In an unhealthy condition of the system, they may unduly
accumulate, and occasion some inconvenience, but they rarely feed upon
the surface to which they are attached, but only upon the contents of
the organs in which they exist.
The history of the bot, the most formidable of horse parasites, is as
follows: Towards the close of autumn, the female gadfly (octrus equi)
fixes its eggs upon the hair of the horse’s legs, by means of a sticky
substance, exuded with the egg. By means of the horse’s tongue and lips,
these eggs are carried to the mouth, and so on down to the stomach,
where the eggs, farther developed in the form of grubs, are attached, by
means of their hooks, to the sides of the organ, while their heads
remain floating in its fluids, upon which they feed. Having arrived at
maturity, they are separated, pass along the intestines, and are
expelled with the dung, after which they again burst their shell, and
rise in the summer in the form of the gadfly.
SYMPTOMS.—Some horses are supposed to suffer much from bots, while
others, in the most perfect health, have an abundance of them. Often
there are no symptoms to indicate their presence, but generally, the
horse loses flesh and strength, and can scarcely move about; he has
turns of griping pains in the belly; eats and drinks greedily; the oats
pass off undigested, and the dung has a bad smell. The only sure
criterion of the existence of bots or worms is their presence, hanging
about the anus, or mixed with the dung of the animal.
There are also the _long round worms_, similar to the common earth worm,
and the _small pin-norm_, half an inch or more in length, which show at
the anus, an inch or more in length, which often causes itching and
uneasiness at the anus.
TREATMENT.—To eradicate worms or bots from the system, give fifteen
drops of D.D., each night and morning, with regular and healthy feed,
and the worm symptoms will soon disappear.
For Colic or belly-ache, when supposed to be from bots, give fifteen
drops of the D.D., alternately with the A.A., every half hour or hour,
according to the urgency of the case. A few doses will usually relieve.
IN OBSTINATE CASES, when the Bots seem to be constitutional, give
fifteen drops of the D.D., every morning, and the same of J.K., every
night, and so continue until good health is established.
Salivation—Slavering
Many horses are subject to an increased flow of saliva from the mouth,
constituting what is known as _slavering_ or _driveling_ from the mouth.
The discharge is commonly, simply glairy slime, or at times—and
especially on being driven or excited—a simple froth, dropping or being
blown from the mouth. It may be caused by mercury if the horse has been
dosed with the drug; is often attributed to Lobelia or Indian tobacco,
if the horse only would eat it—but is more commonly the result of
swelled gums, irregular or deficient teeth, and irritated or inflamed
salivary glands, the result of bad digestion.
TREATMENT.—See that the teeth are in order, and give J.K., morning and
night.
CHAPTER IX.—PART I.
DISEASES OF THE URINARY AND REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Nephritis, Inflammation of the Kidneys
The kidneys are not unfrequently the subject of inflammation in the
horse. It may be induced by powerful or repeated diuretics, such as
saltpetre, which is a most dangerous medicine, or from hard and long
riding by a heavy rider, or heavy weights; or by leaping or being
suddenly pulled up on his haunches, the inflammation being propagated
from the lumbar muscles to the kidneys, or by exposure to cold and wet,
by rain dripping upon his loins during exercise, and especially if these
organs have been previously weakened.
SYMPTOMS.—The early symptoms are those of fever, the pulse full, hard
and quickened, afterward becomes small and weak; the horse looks around
anxiously at his flanks; stands with his hind legs wide apart; is
unwilling to lie down; straddles as he walks; expresses pain in turning;
the back is somewhat arched; he shrinks when the loins are pressed upon,
and there is some degree of heat felt there. The urine is voided in
small quantities; frequently is high-colored, and sometimes bloody; and
there is frequent and often violent effort and straining, but the
discharge is very small, sometimes suppressed.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of H.H., and repeat every two hours.
Should there be very high fever, great heat, etc., the A.A., may be
alternated with it, giving fifteen drops every intermediate hour in
urgent cases, but in general the H.H., will be quite sufficient, and
should be continued at prolonged intervals to entire recovery.
But a few doses will be required to show us the great value and efficacy
of the remedy.
Cistitis, Inflammation of the Bladder
This disease is usually the result of giving diuretics, such as
saltpetre, cantharides, or similar irritating medicines. It may also be
the effect of a cold and exposure, or of a stone in the bladder, and the
disease may occupy the neck of the bladder, or the organ itself. The
symptoms are similar to that of Inflammation of the Kidneys; the horse
makes frequent and painful attempts to stale, but passes only a few
drops of water at a time. The bladder cannot retain the urine from its
excessive irritability, so that the attempt to void it is constantly
going on. The urine may be clear, or mixed with mucus, or stained with
blood.
THE TREATMENT is the same as for Inflammation of the Kidneys, the remedy
for that disease, H.H., being given every two hours, in doses of fifteen
drops, or less frequently, according to the urgency of the case. In some
cases the A.A., may be given in alternation, as for Inflammation of the
Kidneys; but in general, the remedy first mentioned H.H., will be found
every way efficient and available.
Hematuria, or Bloody Urine
This is usually a mere symptom of some other disease. Blows, or a
violent strain of the loins, some kinds of irritating plants, stones in
the kidneys or bladder; ulceration of the bladder; Spanish flies given
internally or administered as a blister—may either of them produce
bloody urine as a symptom.
The symptoms are: discharge of urine, mixed more or less with blood, or
containing clots. When the blood is caused by some disease of the
kidney, there is usually pain in walking, straddling of the hind legs,
and an awkward way of walking. If the blood comes from the kidneys, it
will be intimately mixed with the urine; but if from the bladder, it
will pass off with the last of the urine rather than the first.
TREATMENT.—Fifteen drops of the H.H., given three times per day, will
generally promptly relieve. If dependent upon organic disease, more time
may be required, but the remedy is the same. If it fails, give a large
spoonful of HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, poured upon the tongue three
times per day.
Retention of Urine
From holding the urine too long, cramp or spasm of the neck of the
bladder, stone in the bladder, or other disease, which prevents the
bladder contracting upon its contents, there may be retention, and the
animal unable to void his urine.
The symptoms are similar to those in colic, but characterized, however,
by the horse putting himself in the attitude of staling, and straining
with great force, as in the act of passing water, without any, or very
little, being discharged. This symptom may be present in cases of gripes
or colic, the bladder acting in sympathy with the cramped intestine. All
doubt may be removed by inserting the hand into the rectum, when the
bladder, if full, will be found large, tense and full of water.
This disease may be recognized by the animal frequently putting himself
in a position to pass urine, but without succeeding, or at most only a
few drops are voided; there is also great restlessness, shifting from
place to place, moaning, looking at the flanks, pawing with the
fore-feet.
TREATMENT.—A few doses, fifteen drops each, of the H.H., given at
intervals of two hours, will usually relax the spasm and afford entire
relief.
When it is the result of a stone in the bladder, the movements of the
horse may for a time dislodge it, but an entire cure will only be
effected by an operation, for which a veterinary surgeon must be
consulted.
Scanty Urine
This is a mere symptom of some other disease, such as fever,
inflammation, or other morbid condition, or it may occur naturally, if
there is diarrhea, loose bowels, or purging, and it always occurs in
warm weather, when a horse is severely worked, from the large quantity
of fluid exhaled from the skin and lungs.
A few doses, fifteen drops each, of the H.H., will soon correct the
condition, as far as the health of the animal requires. The J.K., for
indigestion is likewise efficient.
Diuresis, too Profuse Staling
In consequence of bad food, such as kiln-dried oats, mow-burnt hay, or
of such medicines as nitre, or other diuretics, a horse may have an
excessive flow of urine.
The symptoms are: The horse does not eat much, sweats easily, is soon
tired, the bowels are costive, skin dry and coat rough, tongue white and
there is great thirst. The water is quite clear and milky, passed often,
and in large quantities. As the disease advances, the horse eats little,
he gets thinner and weaker every day, breath often offensive; the dung
is hard, lumpy and covered with slime; the hair stands on end, and the
flow of urine becomes enormous. If not cured, death ensues.
TREATMENT.—The food must be changed, and none but the best given. Change
of food is always of service under such circumstances.
Give fifteen drops of J.K., four times per day. This will often be
efficient.
DIABETES MELLITIS, which is a rare disease in the horse should not be
confounded with DIURESIS, which is manifested by an _increased_ flow of
urine. In Diabetes Mellitis the water is clear or greenish, limpid,
_sweetish_, and soon accompanied with great debility and loss of flesh,
usually ending fatally.
Parturition in Mares
Rarely requires either manual or medicinal assistance. A dose of A.A.,
given in the earlier stages of labor often quiets the restlessness and
allays the wandering pains, and this conduces to the greater regularity
of the process.
If the labor becomes tedious or delays, a dose of G.G., repeated if
necessary every two hours, will relax the parts and assist the expulsion
pains.
Self-Abuse, Seminal Emissions
A very common habit among race horses is self-abuse. As soon as young
horses are stabled, from idleness, over-excitement or urinary
irritation, they may begin to masturbate, and it very often increases,
impairing their strength, and rendering them worthless and uncertain
foal-getters, or demanding castration. The phenomena are well known and
do not require a particular description.
The common practice with horsemen or trainers is to put on them what is
called a “net,” an apron armed with sharp pointed tacks, so when the
yard is protruded, the tacks prick him, and he draws it in. But many
horses, with a little practice, become so expert that they can avoid
striking the apron, and in most cases it seems rather to increase than
diminish the habit.
The usual Veterinary Surgeons advise camphor, which, if given is
sufficiently large quantities to diminish the habit, will notably and
permanently impair the vitality and vigor of the horse.
DR. HUMPHREYS’ VETERINARY REMEDIES, by _arresting_ and _lessening_ the
_irritation_ and _morbid desire_, _prevent the habit_, and thus,
reducing the morbid desire, promote and increase the natural vigor and
development of the animal.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of G.G., three times per day, or if
urinary irritation is suspected use the H.H. instead. He should also
have good food and plenty of regular exercise. If unable to give him
exercise under saddle, he may be turned into a large pasture with
pregnant mares.
Weak or Deficient Sexual Vigor; Impotence in Stallions
It not unfrequently happens that stallions of even good form and breed,
and not deficient from inherited weakness or vice become uncertain or
partially unfitted for foal-getting. This must of necessity arise late
in life from failing vitality, or deficient natural strength. But it not
unfrequently happens as a result of too early severe use, a drain put
upon the young at a time when nature was still building up and hardening
tissue, and when the over-drain made upon the green and yet unhardened
sire, was more than the nutrition could repair. And it is again liable
to happen from excessive use during the healthy, vigorous age of life,
and the more so, if coupled with insufficient proper nourishment.
Any or all of these causes may render a stallion uncertain, and so
diminish his value and the relative value of his services. It becomes
important to know what treatment will restore the feeble and uncertain,
and will preserve and arrest the decay, as well as restore these waning
powers.
In order to restore and invigorate the deficient or waning powers, and
to sustain them under severe tax, or upon the decline life, the J.K.,
may be given in confidence that it will sustain, restore and keep in
vigor the natural virile powers.
In cases, with only some decline in vigor, a dose of fifteen drops of
J.K., given two or three times per week is sufficient. When the want of
vigor is more decided, a dose, two or even three times per day may be
given.
Failure to come in Heat—Sterility
Failure to breed in the mare may occur in two different forms—first
impotence, in which the mare fails to come in heat, and second, true
sterility, in which, although she came in heat and was bred the service
proved unfruitful.
The first of these cases may be due to some malformation of the sexual
organs in which case it is incurable; but it is more often due to
insufficient or over-feed, or lack of exercise, or over-work, or some
depressing disease.
TREATMENT.—Correct the exercise and feeding, and give G.G., every night
for a week, or, if the case is urgent, a dose morning and night, and
then a dose daily until the result is manifest.
TRUE STERILITY may also be caused by malformations and be incurable, but
is more often caused by other things such as a catarrhal condition of
the vagina—Leucorrhea or too ardent heat, or insufficient food, or
debility from disease.
THE TREATMENT for Leucorrhea or a catarrhal condition of the organs,
which may be known by a constant or frequent discharge from the vagina,
give G.G., each morning and J.K., at night, and continue this for
several weeks, or until she is again served.
In addition dissolve one cake of fresh compressed yeast in a pint of
tepid water, then after a few hours, add another pint. Then wash the
vagina well with soap and water and use the dissolved yeast as a douche,
this should be done daily for several days.
Where there is an excess of excitement, too ardent or too frequent, or
even constant heat, give at first, H.H., a dose morning and night, for
two or three weeks, then a dose or two of G.G., and the result will
usually be satisfactory.
Where there is unthriftiness or want of good condition, correct the
feeding and give G.G., morning and J.K., at night.
Abortion
Abortion or premature birth may occur from three different causes:
1—ACCIDENTAL ABORTION.—Caused by a blow; strain; slipping on a wet
floor, over-strain from pulling a heavy load, etc.
2—ENZOOTIC ABORTION.—Due to some infectious disease of the mother.
3—CONTAGIOUS ABORTION.—A distinct disease which causes the death and
expulsion of the fetus or its expulsion in a feeble state prior to the
normal period.
SYMPTOMS OF THREATENED ABORTION.—In the first three months of pregnancy,
the appearance of a bloody, watery or mucous discharge from the vagina.
In the later months, uneasiness, swelling, heat and tenderness about the
udder; secretion of milk; and straining as if in labor.
TREATMENT OF THREATENED ABORTION.—Give fifteen drops of G.G., every six
hours, and the dose may be repeated two or three or more times should
the threatening symptoms continue after the first or even the second
dose has expended its action.
This interval should elapse between doses, as too rapid ones may even
defeat the object, by over-excitement of the system, while a single dose
often arrests an abortion if permitted to expand its action.
After a mare has actually aborted, it is almost impossible to tell
whether it occurred from contagious abortion or from some other cause,
so the safe thing to do is to act as if it had been contagious abortion.
TREATMENT OF CONTAGIOUS ABORTION.—The fetus and membranes should be
burned. The premises occupied by the sick animal should be disinfected
as follows: Remove all bedding and dirt possible and spray all available
parts of barn with 3% formalin or 5% carbolic acid solution. Apply white
wash containing 1 lb. chloride of lime to 3 gallons of whitewash,
scatter quicklime on floor and gutters.
The animal which has aborted should receive daily a vaginal irrigation
of two gallons of warm water containing 2% lysol until the vaginal
discharge stops. The external parts about the vagina, including the hips
and tail, should be washed thoroughly with soap and water and then with
the lysol solution as above, twice daily. This should also be done to
all exposed pregnant animals in the herd, being careful not to use the
same cloth, solution, bucket or attendant for the well animals that was
used for the sick one.
Also give G.G., at intervals of six hours.
CHAPTER X.—PART I.
GENERAL DISEASES
Rheumatism
This is a far more common disease of the horse than has generally been
supposed. It is quite common in old horses, and in younger ones that
have been exposed or over-worked. Cold and damp, and exposure to
draughts of cold air when heated, or during and after severe effort or
work, are among the most common causes.
SYMPTOMS.—It usually begins with a shivering chill, hot skin and mouth.
The horse becomes lame and stiff all over, and several joints seem
affected at once, so that he cannot move from the first, or else it soon
becomes confined to one joint or leg; the joint or limb becomes very
hot, swelled, and exceedingly painful; the pulse is quicker at one time
than another, or stops now and then for a moment or two; the breathing
is quick; sweats break out, and the animal becomes weak. When the
disease attacks the fore legs, farriers call it “chest-founder”; and
when it attacks the loins, the back is raised and belly tucked up, and
it is known as “loin-bound.” Rheumatism not unfrequently shifts from one
place to another, especially if the animal is exposed to wet and cold.
TREATMENT.—If there should be considerable heat and fever, as is most
commonly the case, give first A.A., a dose of fifteen drops, every two
or three hours, until the heat has been partially subdued, or until six
doses has been given. Then alternate the B.B., with the A.A., every
three or four hours, a dose of fifteen drops, until the animal is
restored. If a limb or joint is painful, hot and swelled, bathe it in
HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL night and morning, and a flannel bandage
applied to the limb will also be of great service, in addition to the
internal medicines.
If at any time a horse shows symptoms of stiffness or lameness, fifteen
drops of B.B., night and morning, will soon remove it.
Chronic Rheumatism
May be regarded as a continuance of an acute attack, or as is more
frequent a recurrence of it, being generally milder in character and
less painful. The general circulation, as indicated by the pulse and
respiration, is not much affected, and the manifestation of the disease
is usually confined to some form of lameness usually affecting one limb
at a time. Suddenness of the attack and change of its locality are
characteristic of the disease. Often after having been apparently cured
it returns after an uncertain interval or appears in another locality.
Limbs and tissues that have once suffered are more liable to a
recurrence, and it may be generally assumed that when a horse has once
had a siege of rheumatism and again has sudden lameness and pain, that
it is a return of the old disorder. Bad weather, exposure, or over-work
are the most frequent occasions of a recurrence of the attack. The
lameness most frequently attacks one or the other leg, or there may be a
general stiffness or lameness. Not unfrequently the lumbar or loin
muscles become the principal seat of the disease and the term _lumbago_
or _loin-bound_ is applied to it; or when the muscles or fibrous tissues
of the shoulder become affected, causing lameness of the forelegs, the
animal is said to have chest founder.
TREATMENT.—B.B., is usually the best remedy. If there is fever, heat or
some lameness, alternate A.A., and B.B., a dose every two hours. In old
cases, and to eradicate the disease from the system, give B.B., morning
and noon, and J.K., at night, not forgetting an occasional dose of H.H.,
to increase the action of the kidneys.
Fever—Swamp Fever—Blood Poisoning
FEVER is always a symptom of some other disease, never a disease of
itself. An injury to any part of an animal, may, by sympathy, set up a
fever in the rest of the body. However there are some cases where the
fever is the most pronounced symptom, as in Swamp Fever and Septicemia
or Blood Poisoning.
SWAMP FEVER or infectious Anemia is an infectious disease attacking
Horses and Mules. It is characterized by high fever and loss of flesh
and strength, with intervals of comparative good health, with no fever
and a voracious appetite and the animal apparently getting well; only to
be succeeded by another attack of fever, etc.
TREATMENT.—Since the disease can be readily caught by the other horses
and mules, separate the sick from the well. Then give the A.A. and I.I.,
alternately in doses of fifteen drops, at intervals of two hours at
first, and later at longer intervals as the animal improves.
BLOOD POISONING or Septicemia is the poisoning of the blood by germs or
their products. It occurs more or less in all infectious diseases, but
particularly the infection caused by a wound.
The symptoms are fever, rapid pulse, depression and weakness with
sometimes chills.
TREATMENT.—In all cases of Fever, the A.A., is the first and generally
the only remedy required. Give fifteen drops at intervals of two or
three hours, at first, and by degrees at longer intervals as the animal
improves.
Glanders and Farcy
The disease is termed Glanders when it is principally confined to the
head and nose, and called Farcy when manifesting itself in the
lymphatics.
SYMPTOMS OF GLANDERS.—_Constant_ discharge from one or both nostrils,
more frequently from one, and that the left; the discharge is at first
thin and watery, afterward thick like the white of egg. It may continue
in this way for some time, or it soon becomes more mattery, sticky, then
greenish or yellowish, or mixed with streaks of blood, and having a bad
smell. Soon after this discharge is noticed, the glands under the jaw
become painful and swollen, and one of them appears fixed to the
jaw-bone. Then the membrane lining the inside of the nose has a
yellowish or leaden color, which is considered characteristic of the
disease; small bladders are noticed upon it, which afterward are changed
to ulcers; these have sharp borders, and spread and deepen until the
gristle and bones beneath become ulcerated. When ulcers appear upon the
membrane of the nose, the constitution of the horse is evidently
involved; he loses flesh; his belly is tucked up; coat unthrifty and the
hair readily comes off; the appetite impaired; the strength fails;
cough, more or less urgent, may be heard; the lungs become filled with
abscesses, wasting goes on, and the animal soon dies.
FARCY.—Upon the face, lips and other portions of the body, but
especially upon the legs, hard, painful and hot lumps are felt, which
are called _Farcy buds_; they increase in size, with pain and heat,
until the ulceration works through the skin and a thin discharge flows
out. Between these lumps along the course of the lymphatics, hardened
cords are felt; the groin, inside the thighs, and space between the fore
legs and chest, become, from the tumefaction of these lymphatics,
swelled and very painful; the legs are swelled, together with the usual
discharge of glanders.
TREATMENT.—In suspected cases were the disease is not well developed or
recognized give fifteen drops of the C.C., every two hours.
N. B.—It should be remembered that a well marked case of glanders is
_highly contagious_. Not only may the disease be communicated to other
animals, but the glandered matter coming in contact with a cut, abraded
or sore surface in the human subject, will be liable to result as a very
severe, if not fatal, case of poisoning. Prudence demands that we should
handle such animals with great caution, and a thoroughly glandered
animal had much better be killed at once than endanger other animals or
the lives of human beings, and the more so as the chance of recovery in
such a case is very remote.
Inflammation of the Lymphatics, or Weed
In some rare cases horses suffer from Inflammation of the Lymphatics,
manifested by cord-like swellings along the course of these vessels. It
may be brought on by sudden changes of food, cold and wet weather,
sudden over-work after several days of rest, disordered stomach,
standing in cold water, exposure to drafts of air etc.
THE SYMPTOMS are as follows: The attack is usually sudden, beginning
with a cold, shivering chill, followed by full, strong and quick pulse,
accelerated breathing; hot, dry mouth, and general fever. The local
manifestation is on one of the hind legs, generally the left, or in rare
instances, a fore-leg may be affected. The leg is lifted from the
ground, is hot and painful to the touch, and swells _from above
downward_. The swelling increases rapidly, the leg becomes much larger
than the other, the pain increases, and the leg is very sensitive to the
touch. Several hard, round and very painful cord-like swellings may be
felt on the inside of the leg; these end in small, hardish lumps, and
are more painful than the cords. A watery fluid exudes from the skin,
and may be seen in drops standing upon the hair.
TREATMENT.—At the commencement, foment the limb for an hour, night and
morning, with hot water, and afterward apply HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH
HAZEL freely. The horse should have plenty of exercise, and in most
cases may be ordered to his work, continuing the medicine as hereinafter
directed. Give, three times per day, fifteen drops of the A.A. After a
few days, the J.K., may be alternated with the former with advantage.
But in general the A.A., will be entirely sufficient.
Purpura Hemorrhagica
Some rare cases of this disease have been observed in the horse. It
consists essentially of a decomposition of the blood, and loss of power
in the capillary vessels, as the result of which echymosed or black and
blue spots appear on the surface, and upon the mucous membrane wherever
it can be seen, hemorrhages occur from various parts of the body and are
thrown off with the natural excretions. The inside of the nose is
covered with purple spots, as also the inside of the lips. These spots
vary in size, and are filled with dark-colored fluid blood, which exudes
if they are punctured or scratched. There is diffused swelling over the
system, showing itself at the eyelids, breast, flank, belly, quarters,
and between the thighs, extending upward. It is attended with weakness
and general prostration of the system, swelling and stiffening of the
joints, and sloughing off of the membrane of the nose, or other parts.
TREATMENT.—The A.A., will be found appropriate in all cases of this
disease. Give a dose of fifteen drops three times per day. If there are
hemorrhages from any organ, give half a gill of HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH
HAZEL three times per day, between doses of the A.A.
Give common food of good quality, less oats and hay, but especially
carrots and potatoes. The last are very serviceable in this disease.
Big Jaw—Actinomycosis
This disease is caused by the Ray fungus which is sometimes found on
barley, oats, cactus, dried grass, etc., and which enters the body of
the animal through cuts or wounds on the tongue, gums, etc., and
particularly with young animals at teething time.
SYMPTOMS.—These of course vary with the position of the wound, through
which the fungus entered the body. If on the tongue, the tongue becomes
swollen and very painful “wooden tongue.” If around the teeth, the jaw
becomes swollen and finally the growth breaks through the skin or into
the mouth. If through the skin of the head or neck, large nodules
appear, varying in size from a hazel nut to a man’s fist.
TREATMENT.—The most successful treatment is by cutting out the nodules;
this of course should be done by a Veterinary Surgeon.
We advise calling a Veterinary Surgeon and having him perform the
operation as soon as possible, as the disease is usually curable if
properly handled and it cannot be transmitted to man or to the other
animals.
Azoturia
This disease is somewhat common, and is often considered a paralysis
from this most frequently prominent symptom. But this condition is
really due to imperfect action of the liver and kidneys in failing to
eliminate only partially oxidized products and the transformation of
albuminoids into urea—thus producing the train of symptoms constituting
the disease. It mostly attacks animals out at grass, or those who have
been for a time idle on good feed, and are then put to active exercise
or work; beans, peas, or other like foods are also liable to produce it.
The autumn is its most frequent season of attack and mares seem to be
more liable to it than geldings.
SYMPTOMS.—These come on suddenly and without premonitions of disease.
The animal may be attacked in the stable after having been out for a
short time, after a period of rest. In the milder cases there is only
some _lameness_ and _muscular trembling_ of a particular limb, generally
the hind ones, without apparent cause, and on examination there is a
dusky brown color of the membrane of the eye and nose, and some
tenderness of the ribs when struck; the lameness may be such that the
animal may be scarcely able to walk, or may even go down altogether. In
other cases the horse is struck down at once from loss of motive power
in the loins and hind legs after having been driven only a short time
after an interval of rest. In other cases the attack is not so sudden,
the animal becomes very restless, perspires freely, seems to be in
violent pain, the flanks heave, the nostrils are dilated, the face
pinched, the body trembles violently and shows a disposition to lie
down, and very soon, if not already present, the characteristic symptoms
appear. These are, _tremors_ and _violent spasmodic twitchings_ of the
_large muscles of the back_, _loins_ and _hips_, ending in contractions,
with more or less loss of motive power. The body trembles violently, the
limbs become weak so that they sway and bend, the animal walks
crouchingly behind, and soon goes down unable to support himself, the
urine discharged is high-colored, thick, and has a strong ammoniacal
odor; the pulse varies from 60 to 80 beats per minute, generally weak
though sometimes strong; temperature from 102 to 104.5 Fahrenheit, or
even higher. The bowels may be regular, and in mild attacks the appetite
is not impaired.
In severe cases the animal lies prostrate, plainly unable to rise,
refuses to eat or drink, struggles violently in his attempts to raise
himself, and coma (insensibility) may supervene; in such cases the
conjunctive mucous membrane of the eyes is much congested.
In _very_ violent cases the animal is suddenly struck down, struggles
violently for a few hours, becomes comatose and dies.
In milder cases the severe symptoms abate, but the animal does not
regain the use of its limbs, and though it may eat and remain perfectly
conscious, is unable to rise and ultimately dies from some complication.
In favorable cases the trembling, twitches and spasms abate, the urine
becomes more natural, the power of movement returns, and in a few days
the animal is convalescent, often having for some time a swelling across
the breast like a pad as a result of the dropsical infiltration of this
depending tissue.
In other cases, the loss of power in certain muscles remains for a long
time, and yet in other cases cerebral complications and death may ensue
as a result of defective urinary secretion.
TREATMENT.—Is much more favorable under our method than by the usual
course. Give at first A.A., a dose every hour for six or eight hours to
relieve the vascular excitement and increase the action of the liver and
kidneys, then give the J.K., in alternation with A.A., at intervals of
two hours between doses. Continue these two Remedies for say twenty-four
hours, or even longer, and when the animal is easier, and more
especially if the urine has _not yet become more free and natural_,
interpose H.H., in alternation with J.K., at intervals of three or four
hours between doses.
Later on and for remaining complications, if such exist, give J.K., and
H.H., two doses of each per day in alternation.
Anthrax—Charbon
This is an epizootic disease with quite an ancient history, mostly
prevalent in the deltas, low grounds and river bottoms of our far
Southern States. At times it prevails over certain sections, carrying
off hundreds and even thousands of horses and mules, while other seasons
are measurably free from its ravages.
It is caused by a germ which enters the body through the mouth on food
or water or through a cut in the skin. The anthrax germ is very
difficult to destroy and a stable or pasture once infected will remain
so for many years.
SYMPTOMS.—Usually for some hours before the disease is manifested
externally, the affected animal will appear languid, the ears droop and
signs of general depression may be noticed, followed by vertigo and
colic, slight swellings soon make their appearance. These swellings are
at first about the size of a walnut, or the end of one’s finger or
thumb, are round or slightly irregular in shape, but are always adherent
to a pedicle at the base. They are painful and the parts around them are
sensitive; when touched with the finger, a local shivering, like a
sub-cutaneous beating is distinctly felt. They are variously located,
but nearly always upon dependent parts, as under the neck and breast,
between the front and hind legs, along the lower part of the chest and
belly, and on the sheath and teats. The sheath in some animals is so
enormously swelled as to interfere with urination. The swellings are
rarely seen upon the back. Nearly all animals not treated, die in from
twelve to thirty-six hours after the first symptoms are noted, the
temperature rising to 105 before death.
TREATMENT.—This disease is recognized as being incurable, and generally
fatal. In suspected cases, give A.A., every two hours, until the animal
improves or the disease becomes thoroughly developed, in which latter
case the animal should be killed at once.
The carcass of the animal and everything connected with it should be
burned, and the entire premises thoroughly disinfected as given under
contagious abortion, page 122.
* * * * *
For Every Living Animal
In addition to the chapters on the Diseases of Horses, Sheep, Cattle,
Dogs, Hogs and Poultry, HUMPHREYS’ VETERINARY REMEDIES are used for
every living animal.
We have constant orders from Atlantic City from the owner of the
Performing Seals.
From Arkansas the owner of an Alligator Farm is a persistent user.
Harper Brothers published a book on Canary Birds, and the author refers
to the use of our REMEDIES, all through the book.
When the Belgian Hares were imported into this country, the Agricultural
papers were full of the accounts of the use of HUMPHREYS’ REMEDIES.
There is hardly a lover of Cats in the United States who does not use
our REMEDIES.
The dose can be graduated from five to fifteen drops, according to the
size of the animal.