Strangles rarely attack horses after com pleting their sixth year. This curious complaint has been compared to various diseases incident to the human frame, however not with perfect propriety. It usually begins with a fever, a cough, a running at the nose, and a swelling of the sub-maxillary glands. If unheeded, those glands will suppurate, rendering the cure very tedious, and in some degree dan gerous. Repel, if possible, by copious bleedings, opening the body, exciting perspiration, and by gentle diuretics. Give the following, night and morning : nitre six drachms, cream of tartar six drachms, emetic tartar a drachm and a half; warm gruel one quart. Often great advantage is derived from blistering the throat, and from rowels in the chest. Strangles are supposed to be infectious : but we believe that point has never been fully ascertained. It may, however, be prudent to obviate any hazard of conta gion.
Swelled legs usually proceed from weak ness, and are very frequent after long in dispositions, during which horses could not be duly exercised. Bleed freely, if the horse be in good condition, and lower his diet ; use gentle exercise, and rub the part with flannel, or a soft brush : put on a stocking at night dipt in spirits of tur pentine, with a little goulard mixed. As the parts diminish gradually apply elastic rollers : but take care not to impede the circulation. Give very mild purges and diuretics, observing to keep the body gently open. If the complaint proceeds from debility, feed well, and proportion the exercise to the animal's powers : never fatigue him. But friction will on all occasions be found the safest and the most effectual remedy. The stables should be kept cool, and sweating should be par ticularly avoided, since it would increase the complaint. In some strong habits, rowels in the thighs may be advanta geously made.
Thrush, or running-thrush, is a discharge from the sensible frog, which soon be comes deeply diseased, if the pressure, &c. which occasioned the complaint, be not removed. It chiefly takes place in narrow heels, especially where the frog has been cut away, and the heels left high. The running ought to be dried, taking care to bring the frog into action, by lowering the heels gradually, and bear ing upon it by means of a bunch of tow.
Use this wash frequently, as warm as it can be borne : tar two ounces, oil of vi triol six drachms. Gentle purges and mild diuretics will greatly aid towards a cure, if the habit be full, and the dis. charge considerable. Horses that have bad standing are very subject to this com plaint : in fact, dirty, damp stables give birth to an infinity of diseases.
Ulcers invariably require soft dressings, and that their edges should be kept low, and free from callous or horny matter.
Dress often, and in case of a sinus be careful to have the vent downwards, so that the discharge may be free. We have not any complaint more various than this, nor one more difficult to heal. In
deed, in some instances, that should not be attempted. Cleanliness and mild treat ment are indispensable. If fungous flesh should arise, or the edges become hard, touch with blue vitriol, or with lunar caustic, and make way for the flesh to granulate, and for the skin to collapse. When the habit is foul, topical applica tions alone will not answer ; alteratives must be given, and the diet be such as may check the acrimony. When the wound cicatrizes, apply a little lard very gently to soften the skin ; and if the flies are troublesome, mix a very small quan tity of tobacco in the lard.
Warbles, from under the saddle, in con sequence of unequal pressure. Perfect rest is the best remedy ; but a solution of sugar of lead in vinegar will greatly pro mote dispersion. If the warbles become firm, (i. e. sit-fasts) blister them, or, if necessary, let them be carefully extir pated by the knife.
Wind-galls must be removed by firna pressure on a bolster, that immediately sets upon the swelling: when subdued, the part should be fired, to prevent recur rence of the complaint. The sweating blis ter, made by steeping Spanish flies in vine gar, often has a fine effect, as will any preparation that causes speedy evapora tion ; but the compress is what we chiefly advise : for unless the parts be brought together by pressure, the object will rarely be attained.
Worms frequently cause extreme in disposition befbre their existence is even suspected : many horses have, indeed, died in consequence. It is proper there fore to state, that when a horse rubs his tail, and that a yellow matter appears at times about the anus, worms may be suspected ; especially if he eats heartily, yet has a staring coat, and does not thrive ; or that he stands with his hind legs straddling, has slight attacks of gripes, and frequently turns his head to wards his belly, which commonly appears large and low. Bots may often be found among the dung ; these are very tena cious of life, and resist most of our strong vermifuges. Common salt is one of the most powerful remedies ; but subjects the horse to considerable inquietude. The root of the male fern, levigated and given fresh, is highly extolled, as is soot also. But we believe that strong doses of calo mel and gamboge will be found the most efficient, provided they be persevered in so as to scour for a number of days, or even perhaps a fortnight, in succession ; but this must greatly depend on the condition and constitution of the horse. The teretes, or long round worms, are commonly white, about ten inches in length, and require very strong purges to dislodge them. The ascarides, which are very small worms, scarcely longer than a common needle, are not so bad as the preceding, in their effect on the intestines, but give considerable uneasi ness. We recommend the continued purge, as affording the best prospect of expulsion.