RABIES, OR MADNESS. In the horse this disease is always acquired from the bite of some rabid or mad animal, most generally of a dog. When the saliva is once inoculated, the safest method is to cut the part out with some sharp instrument if practicable; lunar caustic (nitrate of silver), may be carefully applied to those parts where it would be dangerous to use the knife; no antidote has yet been discovered capable of destroying effectually the possibility of any future attack; although the use of the box tree has been recommended by some as deserving a further trial. It is administered as follows:Box Leaves, (or a part of the tree scraped) half a pound. Rue half a pound. When chopped very fine, boil thin in three pints of milk for an hour, then strain them; boil the ingredients once more in a quart of water for the same period; when strained, mix the two liquids. Divide this into three potions, and give one every morning fasting. In cases where the hot iron has been used, the effects have not altogether answered the expectations, as the animal has sometimes died, while caustic may be applied and severely, without much danger. When the saliva has remained in the horse, the time varies from three or four to eight weeks before he shows any rabid symptoms: but the attack invariably comes on quicker when the bite or inoculation has taken place in the head. When first seized, the animal trembles and staggers, occasionally pawing the ground, and staring vacantly around; before many hours are over, he is generally quite frantic, plunging and kicking most violently, foaming at the mouth, snorting and sweating. If you intend to administer medicine at the first symptoms of the malady, the greatest care should be taken; lest the horse scratch you with his teeth, as several have lost their lives through it: a thick leather glove might not be inaptly used. The safest way is always to destroy the animal when the disease begins to make very rapid progress. BITES AND STINGS FROM VENEMOUS REPTILES. THE adder is the only reptile of the serpent tribe known in England; these will occasionally, though very rarely, inflict their venom on the horse, and fatal consequences have sometimes resulted through negIect. The most certain cure will be to give immediately Spirit of Hartshorn 6 drachms. The same may be likewise applied outwardly to the place bitten. The stings of hornets, wasps, and bees, are of minor consequence, and may be speedily cured by rubbing them with a little common blue indigo made into a paste with a little water CONSUMPTION, Is a disease found among horses sometimes, although by no means so general as among mankind: it is ge nerally fatal, and takes its origin at times from an inflammatory state of the lungs, when they have in a great measure become tuberculated; occasionally it is constitutional, and hence a primary affection. Symptoms.-A modern writer, in speaking of this disease, says, "When a consumption arises from any defect in the lungs, or principal viscera, the eyes look dull and a little moist, and the ears and feet are generally hot. There is mostly a dry husky cough, and a groaning when turned suddenly in a stall; the horse sneezes much when brought into the cold air, and shows uneasiness, and a quick motion in his flanks, discharges occasionally at the nose, and generally a yellowish curdled matter. His breath also smells more or less offensive when the disease has made much progress or been of long continuance. They eat but little at a time, and chew their hay very lightly and deliberately, and very often throw the cud out of their mouths after chewing it. "In general they are hide-bound, and their coats are long, dry and staring, even in summer. These symptoms disappear upon being turned to grass in warm weather, owing to the richness and succulence of the herbage; but they soon return when in the stable and again put to work. "When a horse that has any of the above symptoms retains a tolerable appetite, and keeps up his spirits in a certain degree, without losing his flesh, it is a sign that the disease has not taken a very deep root; but on the contrary, when he continues to lose flesh and strength, it is a pretty certain indication of inward decay beyond the power of medicine to prevent. When there is a yellowish curdled matter discharged from the nostrils, it may generally be consi dered as the last stage; but if the matter be white and well digested, and occasionally decreases in quantity, or changes to a clear water, it is a promising sign, especially if the horse be young. But even under these circumstances, the pre-disposition to disease may still exist, and the smallest irregularity, either in diet, clothing, or exercise, may bring on a return of the complaint. "Some young horses continue in this consumptive state for several months; and through the effects of great care and nursing, give at some intervals a prospect of recovery, but, nevertheless, die ultimately exhausted by disease. Some go off in a much shorter time, although they are not apparently so much debilitated; and some recover after a discharge from the nostrils, even of two or three year's standing: but in this last case, the discharge has been suspended at intervals, and the mucous was always white; and when it ceased at any time, it was generally succeeded by a simple discharge of clear lymph or water. "Such horses will retain their appetite and not lose their flesh, and will go through their work tolerably well with good usage; though, if they are hurried a little more than ordinary, they will be the worse for it; and those to whose lot such horses have fallen, must have observed, that they seldom recover perfectly, or remain long well, until they are seven or eight years old, when their complaints frequently go off, and they become healthy and useful animals." Little alteration of the pulse is noticeable in the first stage of the disease; but as the constitution begins to decline, so does the pulse quicken and become smaller and considerably hurried during the periods when the animal is put to any exertion. Causes.-There are many things which tend to bring on this complaint; as before stated, an inflammatory state of the lungs, or the consequent to other debilitating diseases, as farcy, or glanders, &c. Horses whose temperament is hot and fiery are most apt to take on these symptoms; they are generally weak, and from their nature and disposition, through over-exertion, soon exhaust themselves. Cures are by no means certain and efficacious in any stage of this disease: when inflammation is attendant on consumption, as is generally the case, blood may be very properly taken. After this, the bowels should be looked to. After administering bran-mashes a day or so, the following ball may be given : made up with a sufficient quantity of treacle or honey. The mash may be continued till the purge has taken effect; after which we must have recourse to diaphoretics, to loosen the skin and promote perspiration Assafoetida 1 drachm, 1 drachm, 1 drachm, mixed with liquorice-powder and syrup of buckthorn, into a ball, and administered every other night; and occasionally omitted for a few times. Great advantage will be derived from succulent food during the period of administering this latter course of medicine. In summer green food is easily procured; but carrots will answer the purpose in winter. Gentle exercise should be resorted to, and the air must be as pure and fresh as possible. R |