Class -^Ij^mS^ Boo k . H I ^^ GofiyrightK". CQBfRIGUT DEPOSm THE STANDARD HORSE BOOK COMPRISING The Taming, Controlling and Educating of Unbroken AND Vicious Horses, and How to Break UP Bad Habits and Vices. The Diseases of Horses and Their Remedies. Oi^ER boo PAGES FULLY ILLUSTRATED. BV 13. IVIAONER, Author of the New System of Taming and Educating Ho CHICAGO THE WERNER COMPANY 1895 copyright iss7 By D. MAGNER. copyright 1893 By the WERNER COMPANY. ♦ -fi ^\' 0/ ^ff^- Leading Veterinary Surgeons Who Assisted In Preparing Special Articles in This Volurr 1. James Hamii.l, D V. S. 4. A. J. Chandi.kr, V. S. 7. D. «i. SUTHERLAND, V. S. 2. T. Bknt. Cotton, V. S, 3. Paul Pauuin, A. M. V. S. 5. John A. McLauohlin, V. S. ti. Chas. A. Meyer, V. S. 8. Dk. B, V. McHeth. 9. J. A. Dell, V. S. 10. S. Hkexton, V. S. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Tlie Horse in his Relation to Man — His History — The Remarkable Evolution of the Horse — His Ancient Historic Record — His Place in our own History — The Horse in Nature — What he once was — His only Rela- tives — The Earliest American Horse — ^ohippus and his Changes — The Horse and Primeval Man — Alone in his Peculiar Anatomy — Spe- cial Type of the Modern Horse — Modifications of this Type — Science of the Modern Horse — American Breeds — All studies of the Horse ad- dressed to a common Human Interest. CHAPTER I. PRELIMINARY EXPLANATIONS. The Instincts of Lower Animals — Their Remarkable Powers — Adaptation of Domestic Animals to Special Wants of Man — Principles of Treatment — Necessary Qualifications for Success in Controlling Vicious Horses. . 25 CHAPTER II. PRINCIPLES AND SECRETS OF THE ART OF TAMING AND EDUCATING HORSE?. Special Points of Importance — The War Bridle — Principles of its Application — The " W," or Breaking Bit — Training the Mouth — Four-ring, or Upper Jaw Bit — Half moon Bit — Spoon Bit — Patent Bridle — Foot Strap — Patent Breaking Rig 53 CHAPTER III. COLT TlfAINING. How to Make the Colt Gentle — Teaching to be Ridden, Handled, and to Fol- low — Various Methods — Making a Wild Colt Follow Instantly — How to Make any Sullen Colt Lead — Teaching a Colt or Horse to Follow with the Whip — Making the Colt Fearless of Objects and Sounds — Driving any Colt in Harness without Breeching — Training the Mouth. Biting, etc 106 CHAPTER IV. Susceptibility to Fear — How to Prevent and Overcome It — Illustrative Cases — Fear of Rattle of Wagon — Jumping out of Shafts — Top Carriage — Objects Exciting Fear while Riding or Driving — A Robe — Umbrella or Parasol — Sound of a Gun — Hogs and Dogs — Railroad Cars — In- sanity (V) CONTENTS. CHAPTER V. Causes of Kicking — -How to Prevent and Overcome It — Driving any Kicker without Breeciiing — Switching Kickers — Kickers in Stall — While Har- nessing — Nervous Kickers — Kicking while Grooming — Runaway Kickers. .... . . 148 CHAPTER VI. RUNNING AWAY. Runaway Kickers — Different Methods of Controlling the Mouth — How to Hold any Horse — Lugging, or Pulling upon One Rein — Making a Horse Back < 1S3 CHAPTER VII. BALKING. Preventing the Habit — Different Methods of Starting the Balker — How to Break up the Habit — Different Tricks Used — Will not Stand when Getting in or out of a Wagon — Double Balking — An Easy Method of Breaking a Double Balker. . . . 193 CHAPTER VIII. HAD TO SHOE. Taking up the Colt's Foot — Easy Method of Controlling Colts — Confirmed in the Habit — Simple Method of Making a Horse Stand to be Shod — The Control of Very Difficult Cases — Leaning Over J09 CHAPTER IX. HALTER- PL LLING. How to Prevent any Colt or Horse from Halter-pulling — How to Break any Horse of the Habit — Running Back in the Stall when Unhitcht-d — Standing Without 15eing Hitched — Hitching any Horse so that he will not Pull after Two or Three Minutes 222 CHAPTER X. STALLIONS. Care in their Management — Treatment for Headstrong Stallions — Treatment for Very Vicious Stallions — How to Subdue and Control any Stallion so that he can be Called away from a Mare in a few Minutes — Special Tests Illustrating the Ease with which this can be Done. . . . 232 CHAPTER XI. CHECKING AND BLINDERS. Cruelty of Checking — The Foolishness of the Practice — Iiijurii)us to the Horse — Covering the Eyes — A Bad, Senseless Custom. . . . 246 CONTENTS. vii CHAPTER XII. THE MULE. PACK His Subjection and Management. . 263 CHAPTER XIII. MISCELLANEOUS HABITS. Cribbing — Wind-sucking — Putting the Tongue out of the Mouth — Pawing in Stall — Kicking in Stall — Getting Cast in Stall — Jumping over Fences — Tender-bitted — Ricking Cows — To Lead a Cow Easily. . 266 CHAPTER XIV. TEACHING TRICKS. To Follow by the Whip — To Throw Boys — To Drive without Reins — To Tell the Age, etc., etc 275 CHAPTER XV. EQUESTRIANISM. Horseback Riding — Its Beneficial Effects upon the Health — Teaching to Ride — Position in the Saddle — A Model Riding Horse, etc. . . . 2S6 CHAPTER XVI. BREEDING. Principles of Breeding — Methods Adopted in Foreign Countries, etc. . 296 CHAPTER XVII. STABLING. Construction of Stable — Air and Light — Form of Manger 301 CHAPTER XVIII. FEEDING AND WATERING. Cooked Food — Mr. Bonner's System. ........ 3°7 CHAPTER XIX. HOW TO TELL THE AGE ACCURATELY. Caries of the Teeth — Treatment. ......... 313 CHAPTER XX. SHOEING. Principles of Shoeing — Tips and Thin Shoes — Contraction — A Reliable Method of Preventing and Curing Contraction — Old Methods of Treat- ing it — Quarter-crack — Simple Method of Curing any Case — Crack, or Fissure of Toe — Corns — Causes, and Practical Method of Curing — Weak Heels — Their Management — Interfering — Clicking, or Over- reaching — Stumbling — Shoeing Sore or Foundered Horses — Causes of Injury in Shoeing. .......... 339 viii CONTENTS. DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. CHAPTER XXI. The Circulation — General Plan of the Circulatory System — Derangements of that System the Cause of Disease — Importance of Ventilation. . 401 CHAPTER XXn. Anchylosis — Caries ^Necrosis — Exostosis, or Bony Enlargement — Splints — Spavins — Ring-bone — Side-bone, or False Ring-bone — Curb — Bog Spavins and Thorough-pins — Capped Hock • — Wind-galls — Navicular- joint Lameness — Founder — Chronic Founder — Peditis. . . .411 CHAPTER XXIII. Sec. I. Catarrh — Laryngitis — Distemper — Glanders and Farcy — Chronic Cough — Heaves, or Broken Wind — Roaring — Bronchocele — Nasal Gleet — Influenza, Epizootic, or Catarrhal Fever — Pink-eye — Conges- tion of the Lungs — Pleurisy — Pneumonia — Ilydrothorax — Typhoid Pneumonia— Bronchitis 453 Sec. 2. Colic ^ Flatulent Colic — Inflammation of the Bowels — Superpurga- tion — Diarrhea — Constipation — Worms — Bots — Inflammation of the Kidneys — Profuse Staling — Inflammation of the Bladder — Retention of Urine — Bloody Urine — Inflammation of the Brain — Vertigo — Sun- stroke 493 Sec. 3. Spinal Meningitis — Paralysis — Lock-jaw — Stringhalt — Thumps — Lymphangitis — Weed — Monday Morning Leg — Peritonitis — Indiges- tion • — Acidity of the Stomach — Acute Indigestion. .... 524 CHAPTER XXIV. Sec. I. The Foot — Pricking in Shoeing — Stepping on Nails, Glass, etc. — Foot Lameness — Seedy Toe — Graveling — Bruise of the Sole — Treads, or Calks — Overreach — Qiiittor — Thrush — Canker 536 Sec. 2. Sprains, Bruises, etc. — Sprain of the Back Tendons — Breaking Down — Sprain of the Fetlock — Shoulder Lameness — Sweeney — Hip Lame- ness — Knuckling Over — Broken Knees, or Open Joint — Fractures — Dislocation of Patella — Stifle-joint Lameness i;4S Sec. 3. Cuts or Wounds — Sore Mouth — Fistula of the Withers — Poll-evil— Diseases of the Eye — Dropsy — Swelled Legs 568 Sec. 4. Diseases of the Skin — Surfeit — Nettle Rash, Hives, etc. — Mange — Hen Lice — Ring-worm — Scratches — Grease — Tumors — Sallenders — Saddle and Collar Galls — Tenotomy — Castration — Parturition — Counter-irritants — Fomentations — Poultices — The Pulse — Giving Balls — Physicking— Bleeding — Setons — The Rowel — Tracheotomy Embrocations — Liniments — Rheumatism, Acute and Chronic — Warts. 592 INTRODUCTION. THE HORSE stands nearer to the daily life of man than any other animal, not even excepting the dog. He has done this in all ages and countries, and his story goes back with that of man to a time unknown, and long before the dawn of our present civilization. A slave through the entire known history of the human race, indispensa- ble in war and peace, a sharer in every peril and a sufferer in every vicis- situde of his master, he has been often abused and always misunderstood. No other animal has shared with man the shock of battle, and he has died with his master by millions upon the field. He has conquered ene- mies, won fields, saved nations ; a soldier gallant, speechless, uninter- ested, with nothing to gain and all to lose, "his not to reason why; his but to do and die." Of all the animals the horse has the strangest history. As we now know him he is the embodiment and proof of the doctrine of Evolution. His native country is to man unknown, and his first subjection is equally a mystery. The oldest authentic record thus speaks of him : " Hast thou given the horse strength? Hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? " Even in the far-off" times of Job he was an animal so splendid as to excite the admiration of one of the greatest poets who has ever lived. He is mentioned in authentic profane history that was written two thousand years before Christ. He is represented in Egyptian carvings that were cut about iSoo B.C. In ancient Greek, Roman and Assyrian history he figures almost as largely as his master does. Every schoolboy knows the story of Alexander the Great, and that the first victory he ever won was over the horse Bucephalus. In Saxon history, which is our history, the horse appears very early. The old story of England is full of him. Laws about breeding him were enacted in the time of Henry VIII., about 1490. Long before that time he had ceased to be a creature of chance begetting, and the jennet, the palfrey and the charger figure throughout all the days of chivalry. Special breeds with special merits were matters of interest and pains be- fore there were any roads in England. The big horse we now regard as a draft animal exclusively ; the Percheron and Norman are at least as old as the crusades, and carried men weighted with the clumsy armor of the Middle Ages before their necks had ever known a collar. Cix) X INTRODUCTION. But the story of the horse as written by nature, and before he had any connection with man, is more strange than any item of written history. He is a near relative of the tapir and the rhinoceros, and has passed through astonishing stages of evolution to arrive at what he now is. He can be traced in his various forms back to the Tertiary age, and his entire present family is now represented by the two animals mentioned and himself. The remains of the earliest horse are found in the United States ; in the strata and deposits of New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah. There is in all nature no greater contrast than that which is shown in the phe- nomenal evolution of this most remarkable animal. He was then a crea- ture a little larger than a fox. He had four toes, or hoofs, instead of the present one, and science names him Eoh'ippns. With three toes, with two, and finally with one and rudiments of others, specimens of him come in between. This most remarkable record of animal creation re- mains undisputed. These strange creatures, changing through the a?ons, were, one after the other, merging into each other as the ages passed, the veritable ancestors of the modern creature who is totally unlike them ; who has been the close companion of man since history began ; and whom man has never known except in his present form with his single toe — the horse. Both in Europe and America are abundantly found the remains of the immediate ancestor of the present horse. But even he had three toes. Much later, but still far beyond the boundaries of human history, he ran wild, in droves, as he is now with a single toe which we call the hoof The men of the age of polished stone, the primeval human, hunted him for food, and their remote descendants have returned again to the eating of him. Fossil remains of the true horse are abundantly found in Amer- ica, and one of the unsolved problems is how, being once so abundant here, he became entirely extinct, and was unknown to the western con- tinent until again brought from Europe. Since that date there is no other country in which he has multiplied so fast or become so easily ac- climatized. The argument is that America is his native country in his latest form, and that when the Europeans imported him he was but com- ing home again. In being constructed as he is in anatomy and outward form, the horse is as peculiar, and as much alone as he is in his unique history. If we were not accustomed to him we should be surprised in reading of him. No other animal is so constructed, with one toe at each extremity; a single nail on the end of a limb ; on which he walks, trots, paces, racks or gallops. He is without a parallel among vertebrates ; an instance of specialization in nature otherwise unknown. He is in still other respects IN rii OD VC TION. xi a unique animal. While he was acquiring his single toe his neck lengthened. His eye became large and prominent. His ear became smaller and grew tapering. His sense of smell became one of the most acute known to any animal. Now his length of limb, and the angles which the difl'erent segments form with each other, make him in firm- ness, stability, lightness, quickness, speed, endurance, the foremost among beasts. When man first came to know the horse he had a special type. He often goes back toward that type now. This original horse was a dun- colored animal, inclined to stripes, much like his present brother, the zebra. In our southwest, where he has in some cases gone wild again, a reversion to this ancient type is common. He was an animal difficult to tame, as the zebra is, but this taming was first effected in times unknown. So far as we are concerned, man has always known the horse tame, and a slave. He and the earliest records of human history go together. There are six modifications of the horse-type now in existence. The two extremes are represented by the horse and the common donkey. Some of the six families are nearly enough related to breed together. Strangely enough, those that are farthest apart are oftenest connected. The story of the mule goes back almost as far as that of the horse. He is a hybrid that has never reproduced his kind, and who is a singular in- stance of an inheritance of patience, endurance and frugality from one ancestor, and of brains and activity from the other. There is a mental difference which has been turned to account. The patience of the donkey, the high spirit of the horse and the persistent obstinancy of the mule are all proverbial. The science of the horse as we know him to-day, is largely embodied in the following pages. We procured our present horse from England. The racing strain began there with a bay stallion who was known as the "Darley Arabian," imported in the reign of Qiieen Anne, about 1702. It is not included in the plan of the present volume to deal with strains and pedigrees, or with the performances of celebrated individuals. It may, however, be remarked that the Americans have in many respects departed from European standards in their uses and breeding of the horse. In any investigation of that part of the general subject some curious facts at once appear. The trot, an artificial gait of the horse, whereas to pace is natural, has been developed in the United States. "Trotting matches " are recorded as having occurred in colonial times. The idea was new, and has been at various times criticised by other nations as a cruelty. The first distinguished American breed of horses was the " Narragan- sett Pacer," a riding-horse unequalled in his time or since. The original xii INTRODUCTION. sire was a stallion imported from Spain, and known to his times as " Old Snip." There is no further record of him than that he originated the strain mentioned. In the end they went back into Spanish hands by whom they were exported to the island of Cuba, where the breed still lives. Another breed, celebrated in its time, was the " Morgan Horse," the progeny of a scrub stallion owned by an officer of the Revolution. These were our beginnings. The present American horse has his origin in the bay stallion mentioned previously as coming to England in the time of Qiieen Anne. He has had, in the United States, many ad- mixtures, and ihany changes and improvements. Many even of his dis- eases are now his alone, and many of his distinguishing traits are purely American. A prominent development has been backward toward unre- strained nature, and it is embodied in an animal in many respects un- equaled among his aristocratic kindred, and known by us as a " Broncho." In the days before the railroad we had bred draft horses ; the " Con- estoga" being a specimen. With the advent of that great feature of our civilization these gradually disappeared. Within thirty years our heavy horse is mainly descended from the ancient Norman and Percheron that was to the knight a riding-horse, and from the English draft or shire horse. Claiming in all ages an immense share of the interest and attention of his master, and valuable to man above all other animals, nothing that is said of the treatment of the horse in health, sickness and use can entirely lack interest. To thousands of intelligent men he is of himself a science. He has repaid a hundred fold in profit and in pleasure all that has been spent upon him. Much has been recently said about the supplanting of the horse, at least in cities, by the machine, by the bicycle and by the motor-impelled vehicle. But the result of this process has al- ready begun to be apparent in the desire of all interested to breed a better horse, and to teach him more and understand him better after he is bred. There is a pleasure in his companionship which humanity is not yet ready to forego. To such as these, to the lovers of animals in general, and the horse in particular, the following pages are addressed. His vices are described and a cure for each of them is suggested. His diseases are discussed and the remedies prescribed by the most prominent veterinarians of the country. But the most prominent feature of the vol- ume is a description of his powers, uses and virtues ; how to train and enjoy him, and get the most from him, and through him to add to the pleasure and the usefulness of ordinary life. THE STANDARD HORSE BOOK. Chapter 1. PRELIMINARY REMARKS. ONCE, while stopping with a farmer, as a matter of amuse- ment I took a colt that had become unmanageable to him, and made him perfectly gentle. Upon learning what I had done, the farmer was so surprised at the result as to offer me fifty dollars for the secret. Without thinking, I proposed teach- ing him and ten of his neighbors how I did it, in addition to other points that might be of interest to them. In this I was entirely suc- cessful, and thus I was unintention- ally drifted into the most trying and exacting field of effort that ever man engaged in, which con- tinued nearly nineteen years. I was necessarily forced into contact with all sorts of people, who were continually trying to break me down, and in addition I had the most vicious and difficult horses forced upon me to experiment upon ; and that I succeeded at all seems to me even now so remarkable as to be beyond belief. But without realizing it, or knowing it at the time, the people who forced Fig - Ideal Head of an Intelligent, Docile Character. 26 PRELIMINARY REMARKS. me to these trials were in reality my best friends, because proving the best instructors to me in the world ; and the experiments upon vicious horses were just what was necessary to give me the best opportuni- FiGs. 8-4. — Extremes of. Vicious Character. ties of observation and practice needed to master the subject. Now, in teaching classes I soon found it necessary to make such explana- tions of points and conditions as I could before making experiments ; and in like manner, before taking up the details of instruction, I think it necessary to refer to such points as will be most suggestive in the study of the subject. I may state that this is somewhat difficult here, because compelled to limit my explanations to less than one half of what I have been able to devote to it in my regular work on the horse, and also to omit many chapters of much interest to the general reader. Many of the lower animals possess some qualities by nature that make them, in some respects, re- ally superior to man. The dog, for example, can follow the track of his master through a crowd of strangers, though hours behind, and find him ; and he will also find his way home, though distant hundreds of miles — a fact that has been repeatedly proved. The ordinary sheep-dog will at com- mand find and bring home stray sheep of the flock ; and the blood-hound can perform the still more remarkable feat of taking up the track of a criminal hours aft- erward, by the scent of a bit of his clothing, and pick him out from hundreds of others who had been his companions — a power that entitles even the commonest cur to our kindest consideration. The eagle and vulture, though miles in the Fig. 5. — A Portrait of a Docile Family Horse. PRELIMIXA i; Y REMARKS. Fig. 6. — A very Intelligent, Docile Character. air, can see the smallest ob- jects of prey on the ground — a power far beyond that of man. Thus these superior qualities, exhibited so largely by the lower animals, seem to be a special provision of nature to guard them from danger and aggression, or to aid them in providing sustenance. Now, this singular power of instinct appears to be a very strongly marked feature of the horse's nature. The wild horse of the prairie cannot be ap- proached near enough on the windward side to imperil his safety ; and even when cornered and unable to get away, his acts of biting, striking, or kicking are but his natural promptings to defend himself. It is also seen that no matter how wild a colt, when treated with such kindness as to win his confidence, he not only will not show fear of man, but become a pet. A good demonstration of this is shown in the remarkable do- cility of the Arab horses, which are always treated with the utmost kindness ; and ladies who are specially kind to horses, it is known, can approach them anywhere, and make them such pets that they will follow, even into the house. Per- haps in no way is this peculiar instinct more strikingly shown than in the repugnance of exceptionally sensi- tive, intelligent horses to men who may be ignorantly or thought- lessly cruel to them. Hence it is evident ^'''- "' — In'elligenl, Courageous, but very Sensitive Nature. that the true ground of success in the subjection and education of as rh'KiJ.ui.\.\ h' y h'KM I h'Ks s On* ol lh» most Vicious Horses c>v«r SuNutHl by Ihv Author. the hoisr. ov iit brrakini; \ip ami ovoiviMuii)^ l»iul habits vvlu-n ron\)ovl. luust ho ill proportion to tlu- ilrgivc t»» v\ hich tl»o t-lVorts can ho inttlli^tutly avlihossoii to tl>r liiu- ol'thi'Sf instincts, l\oKlin^ pas- sive, convlMtinij, or ovt-rconiin^ thfin while .»ee ; ami it is ab- solutely imperative that in his eilncation these eomlitions shv>nM not be tlisrei^arvUnl, Another point : a hvMse nva\ b*- moveil to inteiise excitetuent aiul extreme resistance by even a nuv mentary in»pressioi\ of fear, vvithinit any contact with v>r c.uise for feelini; vlirect physical pain ; ami a^ain, in like tuanner, when prop- erly treatertin^ to treat- ment that wouKl cause the least physical pain or injury. Another important feature for consideration is the womlerful adaptation in the various iK>n\estic anin\als, not only to the several w.mts .uul reipiirements i>f >\ian, but ti> the sections of the workl in which we fuul them, Thvis, for example, the Ivsquimau has not only a tlo^, but one peculiarly fitteil by nature to his especial wants, actinjj not only as a llshern\an and a hunter, but as a beast of burden, bein^ in fact the only animal that couKl live and be of any use to him so far north. A little farther south, the Laplander has the reindeer, that lives on the moss peculiar to those regions, providii\j; both sustenance and dothinjj for him, as well as bein^ the very best mea»\s of trav- elin^i over those drxwry, frozen plains. The Teruvians have the llama for carryinjj burtlens over the Andes. The Arabs have the camel for their peculiar want, th.it of traveliiii; over the arid, sandy Kio, *,• Nervous, Excitable Horse. t'JC/'JJJM/NA U Y JCJ'JUA UKS. 29 Kl'i. 10, A Vicious, Treacherout Nature desert, an:^'.^x*iiz in size, dis- position, and intelligence. For slow, drudging work, we have the coarse-grained, patient, heavy cart or plow horse, while for quick, long-continued exer- tion, we have the lithe thoroughbred, with the conformation of the greyhound, capable, if necessary, of running with the fleetness of the wind, From these extremes we have illimitable modifications, adapting them the more perfectly to the various requirements of nr/an. Now, it is clear that the nervous, energetic racer or thor- oughbred would be entirely out of place for the cart or plow, and the coarse- grained cart or plow horse for the quick, active exertion of speedy travel ; and that to make each most useful he must be emjjloyed for such work only as nature best fits him for, iJependent upon these physical conditions are others that have a still more important bearing upon the success of our efforts, be- cause they are necessarily more obscure, and we are compelled to .study them more carefully to win success, namely, the intelligence and disposition of horses. To illustrate my meaning in part : It is clear that some horses Ki<>. 11. Portrait ol a Noted Viuouk HorM. 30 PI! ELI MIX A R Y ICE MA RKS. Fig. 12. — Sullen Treachery. are very much more intelli- gent and quick to compre- hend than others ; that some are by nature of the most perfect docility, while others have a large element of the naturally vicious, dangerous character. Here, then, we are compelled to study and learn, if possible, two things, — the conditions requisite for the best management of the sen- sitive, intelligent nature, as well as those that are dull, strong, and naturally vicious. In the first, we must study how to address and win the understanding directly, if possible, with- out a ruffle of excitement ; and in the management of the second, we must impress the intelligence in such a way as to win obe- dience most safely and easily. This necessarily requires the careful study of the vital powers, dependent upon the following conditions : First, the intelligence, as dependent upon the volume of brain ; second, the physical strength, as dependent upon size and quality of bodily structure ; third, the peculiar phase and degree of the viciousness. It is evident that when we have large brain, dense text- ure of body, good digestion, and large, deep chest, we have indicated, first, great natural strength ; second, great en- durance, in consequence of ability to assimilate food ; third, capacity to oxygen- ate the blood rapidly, thus giving great endurance for long-susta'ned effort. Lack- ing these conditions to any extent, even though there may be great energy and pluck, there will be less ability to resist well-sustained coercive measures. 13.— Sketch from Life of the most Vicious Mustang Pony the Writer ever Saw. I'UELIMIXA li Y RE MA HKS. 31 Sketch of a Vicious Stallion. Now, dependent upon the order of intelligence and bodily structure are certain peculiarities. For example, a full fore- head, large, clear eyes, tending to brown in color, set well out on the head, eyelids thin, medium length from eyes to ears, ears pointed and of medium length, placed not very wide apart and high between them, and large nostrils, will most always indicate the intelligent, steady, reliable, family horse ; while a forehead rather narrow, small, round eyes, set well back in the side of the head, eyelids heavy, long from eyes to ears, ears long and flabby, with a tendency to throw them back a little, nose rounding, and nostrils small, show the opposite, or a dull, sul- len, treacherous nature. If the forehead be of a medium or good breadth, the eyes good size, clear, and setting well out, the lids thin, short from eyes to ears, ears a little longer than common, and nostrils large, there will be indicated intel- ligence, activity, but great sensibility ; usu- ally termed the nerv- ous, sensitive horse, that will not bear ex- citement. From these extremes, again, we have illimit- able modifications, de- pendent upon condi- tions referred to. Figs. 1, 5, 6, and 7 give the best expressions of a naturally docile, intelligent character. Figs. 1, 5, and 6 are fine illustrations of the best types of the gentle family horse. Fig. 7 is the best type of a sensitive, but very intel- ligent horse, being a portrait of a noted Arabian horse. Fig. 9 is a good type of a very nervous, sensitive character. Figs. S, 10, and 11 Fia. 15. — Portrait of a Noted Vicious Horse in a Rage. 32 I'KlSCirLES OF TREATMENT. are modifications of the dull, sullen, treacherous type. Fig. 10 is a portrait of a very marked case. Fig. 11 is also a portrait of a very noted vicious horse. Fig. 13 is that of a mustang pony, the most desperate, reckless creature the writer ever subjected to treatment. Fig. 17 is a portrait of a case that up to nine years old had proved utterly unmanageable, but whose character was made so gentle, after an hour's treatment, that it was afterward used as a family horse. Fig. 21 is a good illustration of the barnyard lunkhead. In addition there is seen to be a large number of illustrations showing combina- tions and contrasts of character which are deserving of careful study. The size of bone, the texture of bodily structure, the length and color of hair, amount of hair in mane or tail, the action in moving, the size and expression of eye, the peculiarity of head, its length, breadth, etc., are subjects requiring the most constant and careful con- sideration in directing in- telligent treatment. Fig. 16. — Naturally Docile and Intelligent. Principles of Treatment. In the subjection and education of horses, we have several natural diffi- culties to contend with. First : The horse is much stronger than man, and just so far as he in any way learns that he can resist man's control, to that degree will he be encouraged and inclined to resist or combat him : hence, an in- ' Wild Pete." A Very Peculiar and Inter- esting Case. NATURAL DIFFICULTIES. 33 Fig. 18.— Docile. Intelligent. dispensable condition of his successful education is that he must be given no opportunity to learn that he is not in every respect subor- dinate to man in physical power, until his character becomes fixed. Second : His methods of reasoning be- ing dependent upon and limited to the ob- servation and experience of his senses of seeing, hearing, smelling, and feeling, to prevent his becoming excited or frightened at objects and sounds with which he is necessarily brought in contact, he must be convinced in his own way, through these faculties, of their harm.less and innocent character. Consequently, if he be treated according to these laws of his nature, he can be made to do willingly, without fear or resistance, anything for which he is by nature adapted. Third : The horse, being unable to understand the meaning of articulated language, excepting so far as words are associated with actions, we must address his intelligence on this plane of his reasoning, because it is only by doing so that he can be expected to comprehend our wishes clearly. Fourth : To the degree that the horse becomes excited, fright- ened, or confused, he must necessarily be both unable to under- stand what is required to be done, and correspondingly less inclined to submit to re- straint in his management. Hence, whatever the treat- ment, it must be of a charac- ter not to confuse or excite him, nor to expose him to such excessive fear as would shock and derange his nerv- ous system. Taking these conditions in order, we see, for example, that if a horse learns to pull away, break his halter, resist the blacksmith in shoeing, or run away, etc., he will be encouraged to and try to do so afterward until the habit becomes fixed. On the contrary, when a colt is Fig. 19.— a Noted Vicious Horse. 34 PRINCIPLES OF THE AT ME XT. Fig. 20. — Strong-Willed, Intelligent Character. first haltered, no matter how hard he may resist, if once taught to submit, he will not only readily follow without restraint, but will do so ever afterward ; or when the feet are taken up and handled until the operation is fully sub- mitted to, or such restraint brought upon him as to com- pel submission, there will not only be obedience for the time, but all inclination to resist will be radically overcome. Now, the principle is the same in relation to other hab- its, or in overcoming vicious- ness. No matter how wild or unmanageable the horse may be, if he can be so treated that successful resistance becomes impossible, and he is shown that he will not be injured, there will not only be entire submission without the use offeree, but if not excited or abused, he will remain permanently docile. But it is imperative that there be at no point such an exposure of weakness as would encourage resistance ; for, though the method of treatment may be in itself right, if not carried to the point desired, the difficulties of the treatment will necessarily be increased to a degree liable to precipitate failure. For example, there may be strength to take up a colt's foot ; but if at any point of holding it it is pulled away, and control resisted, he will be inclined to resist afterward with as much energy as if there had not been sufficient power to take it up at all. Or, in teaching a horse to lead by the halter, if he resists suc- cessfully it will teach him to resist the efforts by pulling away. Now, the method of pulling on the halter may be all right, but the point of difficulty would be in not having power to carry it far enough. Not only this, but it is vital to success to do it properly, or in such -Barnyard Lunkhead. rniNCIPLES OF TBEATMENT. 35 a way that there would be the least inclination to resistance. If, for example, in taking up the horse's foot, by standing forward of the hip, well up near the body, facing backward, one hand is rested against the hip, while at / ^-''' Mm I] "/ i'^> '^1'' Fid. i'J— Docile Expression. Fig. 23. — Docile Expression. the moment of taking up the foot with the other, there is firm press- ure exerted against the hip, to throw the weight upon the op- posite leg, the foot can be brought up easily, and then, when sub- mitted to, the simple movement forward will bring it against the knees to be handled with safety as desired. In leading by the halter, if, instead of pulling straight ahead, which gives the horse great advantage to resist, the operator stands opposite the shoulder and pulls sufficiently hard to bring the horse off his feet a few times, he will soon follow unconditionally without the least restraint. In a hundred different ways this principle is seen to be illustrated in consequence of the horse's not being sufficiently disciplined to make him entirely manageable in harness and fearless when under the tests of se- vere excitement. It is for this reason that horses that may have been driven for months, or even years, when managed with care, or not subjected to unusual causes of accident or excitement, are liable at some unguarded moment, when fiG. 24. — Coarse, Low-bred Horse. 36 rniXCIPLES OF TUEArMEXT. exposed to some exceptional strain, up to which they have not been tested, to become frightened and resist control, thereby resulting in constantly recurring cases of accident, as well as endangering the spoiling of the horse ; which would all have been prevented by the application and proper carrying out of necessary treatment in the first place. Second : We see that when an object of fear or unusual sound is brought suddenly or unexpectedly to the horse's notice, or in con- tact with any part of his body, it is liable to excite the most intense fear and resistance ; whereas, if brought slowly and gently to his no- tice, letting him smell or feel of it until convinced of its harmless- ness, it can be brought over and around him without causing the least fear or attracting his attention. It makes no difference whether Fig. 26. — Treacherous. it is in driving to a carriage, letting the cross-piece come against the quarters, raising an umbrella behind him, the noise of a steam-engine, or anything else, the principle is the same. Third : In relation to making him understand the meaning of special sounds or words of command. If a man were simply to re- peat the word "Whoa" to a horse, he might do it indefinitely with- out his being able to understand its meaning and object. But if the horse were moved moderately, and immediately after the command he were pulled upon hard enough to make him stop, he would in a short time, when the word is repeated, learn to stop to avoid being hurt. Or, in teaching him to back, if after the word is spoken the reins be pulled upon sufficiently to force him back, he will, after a few repetitions, learn, when the command is given, to go back freely, to evade the restraint and pain. The better to illustrate this I will include here the details of teaching a few tricks. PllTXCIl'LES OF TREAT MEXT. 37 To teach a horse to make a bow, first prick him lightly on the back with a pin, and repeat this until, in his efforts to avoid the annoyance, he drops his head, after which caress him, repeating the pricking until the head is again dropped, when again repeat the caress and give him something of which he is fond, and continue to alter- nate in this way with the pricking, caress- ing, and rewarding, until at the least motion of the hand toward the back he will drop his head. To teach him to kick, simply prick him on the rump until there is an inclination to kick up, when, as before, caress him, and so repeat until the least motion of the hand toward the rump will induce him to kick up. In teaching any kind or number of tricks, the principle is the same, the only differ- ence being that instead of a pin, other means adapted to the requirements of the case must be used. But one thing should be taught at a time, and that slowly and carefully re- peated until thoroughly understood. The duller the horse, and the more complicated or difficult to the understanding the point to be taught, the less can be safely at- tem.ptcd, and the more time must neces- sarily be taken ; while the more intelligent the horse, and the simpler the thing re- quired to be done, the more can be ac- complished. And each point thus made should be made the foundation for the next, until the education is complete. Again, to have prompt obedience, the same signal and word given in teaching the trick, or whatever is re- quired to be done, must be repeated exactly, even to the tone and pitch of the voice ; otherwise a horse is liable Figs. 27-30 — Modifications of Good Character. 38 PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT. Pigs. 31-3().— Extremes of Low-bred, Vicious Cliaracter. to become more or less confused and unable to understand or obey. The principle is the same in teaching a horse to do anything in or out of harness ; the point being that such means or methods of treatment are to be used as will give the necessary control, and at the same time convey to the understanding in the most direct manner the idea of what is desired to be done. Now, the principle is exactly the same in both preventing and overcoming viciousness or bad habits, no matter what their character or degree ; the only difference being that in- stead of teaching a trick, or obedience in any respect, we must aim now to combat the habit already formed, simply repeating until there is entire docility and submission. Again, in resorting to physical power, the nearer we are able to use it so as not to cause pain nor excite the belligerent nature of the horse, the better. If a man were strong enough to take a fighting bully by the shoul- ders and shake him so thoroughly as to show him that he had power to control the fellow as he pleased, and then treat him kindly and convince him that his intentions were good, it would have a better effect in impressing him with a sense of the man's mastery, and make him less inclined to resist, than if he had ob- tained control of him after a desperate struggle that would heat his blood and arouse his pas- sions to the point of recklessness. In like manner, if we could use power directly upon a horse, so as to restrain and control him as we wished, it would be far more effective than if the effort were of a character to cause him to become maddened and heated ; or, if this be impossible, then the resorting to such indirect measures of coercion as will en- able us to accomplish this most safely and easily. Now, the treatment herein given does this PniXCTPLES OF TREATMENT. 39 with far more ease, directness, and success than has ever yet been accomplished. It not only enables us to control with the greatest facility, frequently in a few minutes, not ex- ceeding twenty or thirty, horses that had re- sisted all previous efforts to subdue or con- trol them, and become practically worthless, but it gives the proper foundation for making the character safe and reliable afterward, its most remarkable feature being the startling results accomplished in so short a time, ap- parently changing the entire nature of the horse as if by magic. This treatment is the outgrowth of the" practice of over eighteen years of the most constant and exacting experimenting, and has been proved, by the results exhibited, to bring the control and education of horses as nearly as possible to the line of an exact science, conclusively showing that when horses become vicious or unmanageable, it is the result of ignorance or bad management, which the treatment herein given, if properly applied, would have entirely prevented. I could include a great deal of other treatment, and much of it very good, but wishing only to give what is practical, I con- fine myself to such treatment only as I have found in my experience to be best. Before taking up details, I would state that there is no difficulty in making a horse, even when of a very vicious character, gentle for a short time ; but the difficulty is to be able to hold and fix the character in such a way that he will remain gentle. This may be done in quite a variety of ways. Any method of lowering the vitality, such as bleed- ing, physicking, preventing sleep, depriving of food or water, subjecting to intense pain, or, in fact, any means whereby we can suc- cessfully lower the strength, will make a horse gentle. But the difficulty is that, how- ever gentle he may be at the time, when the ^fr Figs. 37-40.— lions of Well-bred I 40 PETXCIPLE.S OF TREATMEXT. effect passes off, or the horse regains his strength, there will be so great a tendency to gravitate back to the former condition that the treatment will nearly always result in dis- appointment. While it is known that many persons have the power of controlling the will of others, or what is termed psychologizing them, and that some of the lower animals secure their prey in this manner, as exhibited by the snake in charming birds and small animals, various cases of which I refer to (particularly in discussing this subject) in my special work on the horse, the principle does not seem to work in the control of horses ; certainly it has not in my ex- perience, and I have hundreds of times pro- duced results before classes which seemed so remarkable to them that they would insist upon searching my gloves and clothes for some scent or odor which might account to them for the effect produced ; and even after this they could scarcely realize that it could be accomplished by the treatment illustrated before them. I have had members of classes repeatedly tell me in private that they knew I must have ac- quired my power by some secret not revealed to them, and be so confident of this that they would offer me large sums for it. I necessarily acquired a certain expert- ness, the result of practice and accuracy of judgment in applying treatment, that often en- abled results, in the control of certain types of resistance and character, that seemed very re- markable. This was frequently shown in the cases of horses afraid of a blanket, a buffalo- robe, or something of the kind ; in the control of a stallion so as to be led up to a mare and then called away ; the control of a wild and seemingly very dangerous colt that had been proved very unmanageable, so as to drive en- tirely gentle without breeching ; the making of Figs. 43-48. — Modifica- a colt follow, or the making of a halter-puller lions of Vicious Character, -^vhen hitched stand quietly without attempt- PlilXCII'LES OF TREAT MEXT. 41 ing to pull. It was no unusual thing for me to do, when the case happened to be good, within two or three minutes to be able to Figs. 49-51 —Three Types of Good CharaclBr. throw a buffalo-robe as I pleased over the head or around the body of a horse that had previously been quite seriously afraid of it, without the horse caring much about it. In the control of a head- strong stallion, if a good subject, it rarely required more than four or five minutes ; the hitching up and driving gentle of such a colt as described, in six to eight or ten minutes ; the making of a halter- puller stand submissive under the most severe excitement of being Figs. .52-.54. — Coarse. Low Character. whipped over the head, or the cause of the pulling thrown in his face, without his pulling, in a couple of minutes. Now, it is needless to add that if this treatment had been ap- plied roughly or improperly, this control could only be obtained after considerable severe treatment that would excite the horse greatly, thus acquiring control only at the expense of considerable time 42 PRIXCIPLES OF TUEATMEXT. Fig. 55. — Vicious Horse in a Rage. and trouble. This rule, in fact, runs througli every phase of the treatment, in il- lustratingitssuc- cess and apply- ing it properly. Suggestions in Relation to Principles of Management. If we tie down a horse's ear, or grasp it with the hand and twist it a little, it will be found that a horse that had been very nervous to shoe will often stand quite gentle to be shod. The jockey has learned that he can frequently make a bad kicking mare drive without kicking b}^ tying the tail down to the cross- piece of the shafts or forward to the belly-band of the harness, so that it cannot be raised ; because disabling the tail creates such a sense of helplessness as to counteract the inclination to kick. Sometimes checking the head high will accomplish the same result. Putting cobbles or shot in the ears will, on the same princi- ple, sufficiently disconcert a balky horse to make him go right along. Blindfolding by covering the eyes only carries this to a greater ex- tent, and will be found in most cases to make quite a stubborn horse work with excellent success. Fig. 56.— a Noted vicious Horse. rnrNCiPLEs of treatment. 43 The secret of the first horse-tamer of whom I have any account — Dick Christian of England — consisted simply in tying up the fore leg, and then mounting and riding the horse until submissive. The next step in this direction was disabling both fore legs, and thus forcing the horse to lie down, which carried this principle to a greater degree of perfection. This was regarded a very rare secret, and was the basis of the methods practiced by Bull in England, Sul- livan in Mallow, Ireland, Denton Offutt in Kentucky, and O. H. P. Fancher in Ohio, who were the first, most pretentious, and noted, before the advent of Rarey, who learned the secret of Denton Offutt, Fig. .57. — An Incident in the Driving of a Noted Runaway Horse. at the time a resident' of Georgetown, Ky. This was the sole and only secret upon which were based Rarey's most extraordinary pre- tensions, and for teaching which he made $100,000 in England ; and probably much more than that was paid in this country for the same knowledge. I may add, by wa}' of explanation, that the control of Cruiser and other noted cases in England and France, upon which his repu- tation was based, although it was assumed to be, was not and could not have been accomplished by this treatment. Those interested in a full explanation of all the facts in regard to it, will find the de- tails in the chapter on "' Subjection" in my work, " Facts for Horse- Owners." 44 miXCTPLES OF TREATMEXT. Various remedies have also been assumed to be used for taming horses under the pretense of a great secret, or the guise of fascina- tion, on the principle of using certain scents for attracting and con- trolling certain wild animals or fishes. These means have about the same effect upon a horse as good apples, or anything else of which the horse is naturally fond. While it is true that horses may some- times, for example, be strongly repelled by blood or the odor of poi- sonous snakes, and other dangerous animals, and that they are at- tracted and quieted by other scents, I have found nothing of the Fig. 58.-=^The Famous Horse Jet, of Portland, Me., Subdued by the Author in Thirty Minutes. kind that would accomplish satisfactory results to me in their con- trol, but little more than would be done by good apples, or the giving of anything else of which the horse is fond. Offutt and Fancher, before referred to, were the most pretentious in their use of such scents, the details of which I include in my other work. Various alterations or modifications of this method of subduing horses were made at different tirr^s by different parties ; but it was not until I was able to bring into use that here described as the First Method of Subjection, that the real power and effect of this principle of treatment was practically brought out ; which PRIXCU'LEH OF TREATMENT. 45 has been the outgrowth of a great deal of practical experimenting re- quiring over fifteen years' time. If in wrestling a man could be thrown directlj' upon his back as fast as he could get up, it is evident a much more effectual im- pression of his antagonist's mastery could be made than if he were permitted to carry on a doubtful struggle for half an hour, that would only occasionally bring him to his knees. The very doubtfulness of the contest would stimulate him to the utmost resistance until ex- hausted. But if he could be thrown at once, and as often as he could get up, his courage and confidence would be soon broken up, con- vincing him of the uselessness of continuing the struggle, and mak- ing the impression of mastery all that could be desired. Fio. 59. — An Act of a Noted Vicious Stallion Subdued by tlie Author in Less than an Hour. Now, the effect upon a horse will be the same. If the control can be made direct and positive, throwing him on his side as often as he can get up, the confidence which stimulates the resistance is quickly broken up. The method here given as the First Method of Subjection, bears exactly this relation to that formerly used. It gives just the ad- vantage and power that will enable any ordinary man to throw the strongest horse as quickly and as often as he can get up ; in addition, he can hold him down or roll him back, as he pleases, thereby making it not only far more effective, but entirely obviat- ing the objections to the old method. I have called attention to these interesting facts : first, that the horse is governed in his actions by certain instincts or inherent 46 FRIXCIPLES OF T RE ATM EXT. powers, and that these must be studied closely as the foundation of his successful management ; next, tha. these constitutional differences are only provisions adapting him for special uses ; and that his charac- ter is clearly shown by the peculiarities of his bodily structure, ac- tions, and more especially by the features of the head. This will show, when looked at carefully, that resistance is only the expression of natural instinct, and that fear or vicious actions are not to be taken as indicating a degree of bad character or viciousness that should Fig. 60.— .The Thorough-bred. be considered an obstacle in making the character good, simply requiring greater care and thought in meeting and combatin? the resistance, whatever it is, in the most simple, direct, and humane manner. Though referred to before, it is so iir.portant that I call attention to it again here, that though the treat- ment may be applied just right, if not carried far enough, the failure may be as great as if improper treatment had been used ; and above all, that the better nature is to be won by patient, per- sistent kindness. I have called attention, next, to the various methods of treatment taught me by the experience of many long years of observation, experiment, and study, and have tried faith- fully to make the explanations as simple and olain as I could. PRINCIPLES OF rn EAT ME NT. 47 Now, it is indispensable that tliis chapter, at least certain parts of it, which are the key and grtiundwork of the detailed Fig. (31. — A Good Model of Draught Horse. instructions in subsequent chapters, should be read very carefully. You cannot understand these principles too well. Fig. 62.— Shetland Pony. 48 FRIXCIPLE.S OF TllEATMEXT. There are also many points having close relation to this subject, and of great interest to the horseman, which want of space in a gen- eral work of this character compels me to omit : First, the inside history of Rarey's career, as a means of correcting the false impres- sions created by his pretensions and assumed success, because with- out it there was necessarily a certain mystery about the performance of this duty that could not well be made plain ; second, the details 05 —Model of the French Nornian Horse of the management and history of a large number of speciall\- repre- sentative vicious horses, as suggestive aids to treatment in similar cases ; third, the outlines of my experience with reference to many cases and circumstances named, the better to authenticate the facts stated. There are also special chapters on other points having close and important connection with the instruction given on this subject. All these points are very fully given in my regular work on the horse, which can be referred to by those interested. I would now call attention to what I deem the most important condition of success, which should be considered, above all others, as deserving of the most serious consideration, namely, the judgment and skill with which the treatment is applied. PRINCIPLES OF TREATMENT 49 It is generally supposed that the friost important qualification for success in the control of vicious horses, is being a sort of strong- ish bully, gifted with power to master a horse physically, or whip him into submission. Now, no mistake could be greater. In many hundreds of instances, in fact, it was a matter of almost daily occur- rence, horses were brought to me to experiment upon, which the most persistent efforts of the strongest and most pretentious or so- called best horse-breakers had failed upon, — horses that were sup- FiG. 64. — The Horse Ready to be Thrown. Old Method referred lo. posed to be so bad that nothing could be done with them. Such men were almost invariably members of my classes ; and the results I was able to produce before them became of the greatest interest to them, because proving to them the necessity and value of bring- ing into exercise their highest intelligence and ingenuity in the per- formance of this duty ; and that, in its true light, the study of the subject was one of the most interesting and instructive to which a thoughtful and intelligent mind could be directed. Finally, above almost any other profession or business, the proper and successful management of horses requires peculiarly fine qualifications ; and while in other directions one point of excel- lence may be sufficient to give a man marked success, this not only calls for a combination, but a very rare combination, of good qualities. First, a man must be fine and clear in his perceptions ; that is, he 60 PRIXCll'LES OF TREATJIFXT. must be quick to see, delicate in feeling, with sufficient strength of nerve to carry him through the severest trials without flinching or showing weakness ; added to these, sufficient persistence and patience to follow up every point of difficulty, no matter how great the obstacle, until successful. If I may so word it, he must have the delicacy of touch and feeling of a woman, the eye of an eagle, the courage of a lion, and the hang-on pluck of a bull-dog If he is lacking in any one of these qualities it is a matter of chance Fig. 65. — As the Horse is Liable to Rear and Plunge, in his Resistance to being Thrown. only, in critical cases, that there will not be accident or failure. Now, if you have n't these qualifications, you can exercise at least that very important one of going slow, studying your case thoroughly, using the greatest care possible, and being patient in your efforts. This alone will frequently enable you to do wonders. Imagine yourself in the horse's place, unable to talk or under- stand what is wanted to be done or the object of restraint, incited perhaps by great fear or the resentment of previous long-continued abuse, to resist contact or restraint, and you will have the truest instinct in pointing to the best course to be pursued. Not succeed- ing, even after great effort, should by no means imply failure ; the point is to look your difficulties over in their every phase, prepare rnixriPLEs or treatment. 51 yourself more carefully, trust nothing to chance, and never think you cannot succeed ; and, with the exercise of reasonable patience and care, especially when aided by the instructions here given, the most ignorant and least fitted by nature for this work may accomplish wonders. Certainly, this will compensate largely for want of skill ; and, as time should not be considered, this can without difficulty be exercised by every one. Fig. 66. — Usual Position before being Thrown. In the next chapter we will take up the details of treatment, comprising three direct methods of subjection, followed by several indirect methods, which give such power and effectiveness in the control of vicious horses as practically to leave but little to be de- sired. These methods of treatment have been the outgrowth of a great deal of practical experimenting, and by them I was able to ef- fect results in the subjection of vicious horses which it is conceded has never been equaled or approached in ancient or modern times ; and they give us the true foundation for the performance of this im- portant duty with entire success. Chapter II. FIRST METHOD OF SUBJECTION. AS before explained, disabling an\- part of the horse's body will produce in him a corresponding sense of helplessness ; and when we disable the whole body, or overmatch his pow- ers wholly, we create in him a powerful sense of our mastery, and a corresponding sense of his' own helplessness. The simplest and most effective means of doing this is by the method here given. I give two rigs, one of leather and one of rope. The leather rig works well, is not difficult to fit, but is troublesome to make, Mustang Ponies. and e.xpensive, costing from eight to fifteen dollars. The rope rig works equally well, and can be made of any old rope in a few minutes, at a mearly nominal cost. I include a description of each. For the leather rig the surcingle should be made of two thicknesses of good harness leather, about three inches wide, and about eight or f52) FinsT METHOD. 53 ten inches longer than the size of the body. The buckle should have two tongues, and be made of good wrought iron. When this rig is on and drawn tightly from the part over the backbone, a double strap, the length of the back, with a strong crupper, should be attached. Four or five inches on the off side should be fastened, at the front edge of this surcingle, a strong two-inch ring. On the opposite edge should be attached artother strap extending to a ring upon the back strap at the hip. A little pad should be fixed to the part coming across the back, to prevent bruising or chafing it. For the rope rig, procure a three-fourths inch rope, eighteen or twenty feet in length. One that has been used enough to render it pliable is best. Make a simple loop about three inches long at one end, and double the rope about four feet from the loop. Pass over Fig. 69.— Simple Rope Rig. this double part a three-inch ring made of three-eighths rod. Pleas- ure the distance from the tail to where the saddle of the harness comes, to which bring the ring and make a simple knot of both ropes around it, regulating it to the length of the back as it is tightened. Next, put the double part under the tail, twist two or 5i METHODS OF SUBJECTIOX. three times, and bring the part with the ring to its place about eight inches to the right of the back, with the loop toward the near side. While holding it in position, reach under the body, catch the oppo- FiG. TO.— Fool Tied Up. -Foot-strap site end of the rope, bring it through the loop, and draw down to the size of the body. Now, while- holding it in place by pressing down firmly upon it, make a simple knot in the rope, which forms a button and keeps it from slipping out. It is also necessary to protect the back and tail by winding the part of the rope coming under the Fig. 72. — The Rig as Arranged for Throwing. tail, and putting two or three thicknesses of cloth or blanket between it and the back. Next, put on a strong strap halter with the nose part coming well down upon the nose, and draw it up rather close back of the tlRST METHOD. 55 jaw ; then take a piece of strong cord, made of the very best quality of hemp, (that used for the largest-sized war bridle, explained farther on, is best,) from five-sixteenths to three-eighths of an inch in diameter and about twenty feet in length, tie a hard knot in each end, and fasten one end around the rope or surcingle just above the ring. Pass the other end from above down over the strap of the halter back of the jaw, thence back and down through the. ring referred to, until the slack is taken up. Now tie up the near fore foot. The best way to do this is to pass an ordinary hame- strap around the foot, thence to the belly- band, and buckle short. Though this meth- od, when properly car- ried out, enables throwing a horse on even very hard ground without bruis- ing the knees or other parts, still it is very important, and adds greatly to the ease and safety of throw- ing, to have good soft ground. The best is that which is free from stone, with thick, soft sod, as an orchard or meadow, a ploughed field, or a place liberally covered with straw or manure. Presuming that such a place has been selected, stand almost in front of the horse at the right, with a firm hold of the cord about seven or eight feet from the shoulder, pull gently, but firmly, as shown in Fig. 72. This will draw the head back to the side, and the body being thereby thrown out of balance, the horse is forced to fall over with a rolling motion on his side. If during the first trial he resists, let him have his own way a little while, and when in a good position, pull quickly, when he can easily be forced off his balance and made to fall over. In cases for which it is adapted, and if well done, the hofse will be forced down so easily and naturally that nothing is left to be desired. Then he can be thrown as easily and just as fast as he can be made to get up. I have frequently been Fig. 73. — Turning a Stubborn Horse around before Throwing. f)rM,ld of ihc eord ,iiid run ,-iround in a circle until I'l'. M UmiiiI Pnsilioii ol .1 Horso llml RoslstsSlronnly linforc hnlfid Thrown. Ih- i'. iii.i.li In IoIImvv, hcipiiin;; ■.li.idily f.r; illii.tr,ilc.l l)\- I'ii;. 7.'!), wJK n '.lii|], pull i|nii l.l\, ,iiid lie i.ui In- ci'.ily 1 ln'ow n ^tra bit of strong, flexible material (used only for severe cases) is attached to the main bit. (See Figs. 128, 129.) This bridle gives great pulley power, up and backward, against the most sensitive part of the mouth, under the upper lip, making it almost impossible to resist an ordinary pull upon the reins. In addition, the fulcrum of whatever power is used being brought, by the rounded strap before referred to, directly upon the spinal cord (as explained in Third Method), makes it a direct and powerful means of subjection ; so that if there is courage to pull for any length of time, the horse finds himself so overmatched that he will soon cease the resistance, and FOOT -STRAP. 101 drive with an easy or slack rein, whea the extra bit, if used, can be removed. In using this bit upon a dangerous or doubtful horse, I would advise first heading up a long hill, and then pulling upon him steadily, as may be necessary until he gives up. A rubber connect- ing the ends of the bit to the rings on the pulley-reins makes the action of the bit upon the mouth the same as any ordinary bit. If at any time there should be much resistance, the rubbers stretch sufficiently to give play to the reins upon the pulleys, which will compel submission, — a very important point in the management of plucky, treacherous horses. In breaking a horse to lead, simply reverse the reins through the pulleys so as to pull ahead. By catching both reins and pulling sideways and ahead, it will give such purchase that the horse can be lifted rigkt or left, or ahead with as much or more power than by the War Bridle. For halter-pulling, pass the reins or cord attached to the rings through the ring or hole in the manger, and form the end into a noose around the body of the horse back of the shoulders. The instant he begins to pull, the punishment becomes so severe upon his head that he will soon be afraid to pull. This is the only prac- ticable means for breaking bridle-pullers. It is equally effective for breaking double-balkers. For such, the cord is tied to the end of the pole (as explained under the head of "Balking"), when, if the balker does not go, the gentle horse jerks him out of his tracks, making it a very easy and effective method of managing a double- balker. The Foot-Strap. On the same principle, a second foot-strap can be used, when there will be power to control either one or both feet as may be de- sired. It must be used before the horse gets under much headway, for, if allowed to get under much motion, and then have both fore feet pulled from under him suddenly, it would throw or tumble him over upon his head. Another objection is that in throwing the horse forcibly upon the knees, unless the ground is very soft, or the knees well protected by pads, there is serious danger of having the knees bruised or cut. A horse can be very easily ruined in this way ; for, should the syno- vial membrane of the knee-joint be cut through or ruptured, which can be easily done, it would surely result in spoiling the horse. 102 At KT HODS OF SUBJECTION. Fig. 131. — Foot-strap. Both legs can without difficulty- be pulled from under the horse at the same time with a single strap, and it would work very well so far as bringing the horse upon his knees in a soft spot, and disconcerting him when moved moderately in harness only, and would enable the control of quite a bad colt, but cannot be safely hazarded when hitched to a wagon, and especially if the ground be at all hard, and the horse is per- mitted to go at all fast, for the rea- son, before explained, of the danger of tumbling the horse over on his head, and bruising and cutting the knees. If this is attempted, it should be done by the use of two straps. During my early experience, in fact the second colt I used the foot-strap upon, the owner was elated with the idea that he was allowed to hitch up his colt, and though entirely manageable, to show a friend his power he let him out on a sharp trot a little down hill, when he pulled the opposite strap suddenly from under ; the consequence was that the poor colt was thrown directly upon his face, his knees badly cut, and the skin torn from his forehead and nose, in fact injuring him most seriously. Driving a colt around in harness, \\hcrc there is plenty of straw or very thick sod, throwing him upon his knees repeatedly, which can be easily done with a single strap, by passing it through rings attached to a strap on each fore foot and back to the belly- band, will of course enable throwing the horse squarely, without any 'difficulty ; but it subjects the horse to such a severe jar as to need- lessly strain and worry him. The use of both straps does this far more safely and effectively, because it enables pulling one foot or the other as may be desired — a great advantage. Should this be used, and the horse resists with energy, the more direct methods of subjection should be used. A single strap can always be used to advantage, and sometimes a double one as a means of security, which can be put on quite easily. An ordinary piece of good, strong clothes-line, bed-cord, or webbing can be used to advantage, which can be attached to the feet as simple reserve' power, should the horse attempt to lunge ahead, but when found submissive to the control of the mouth, are of course to be removed. BREAKING RIG. 103 The Breaking Rig. When a colt or horse is dangerous or reckless in his resistance, it is very convenient to control him by means that will require but little if any practical skill, and for this purpose I have invented the Breaking Rig, which will be found a valuable acquisition to the other methods here given. To break a kicking, runaway horse or colt, all that is necessary is to carefully harness him in the rig so that he will not break loose, and let him go as he pleases. The more he struggles to free himself, or tries to kick and run, the quicker he will be broken, while the Fig. 132.— Simple Form of Breaking Rig. Patented July 6, 1880. trainer can sit quietly behind, touching and poling the horse where sensitive until he becomes submissive and gentle. The rig should be constructed as follows : First, set an upright post firmly in the ground. Next, have two shaft-arms, about twenty feet in length, so fitted that one end of each will turn upon the post. At the outer end of both of these shaft-arms should be fitted a spindle, and a wheel from a lumber or farm wagon. Separate the ends of the arms at a distance of eleven or twelve feet, or so that the horse can travel between them without touching either. Next place two bars across from one shaft-arm to the other, the inner one about three feet eight inches from the hub of the wheel, the outer one about two feet from the inside one at the horse's shoulders, and three feet at the quarters, so that an average-sized horse can travel easily between them. Have holes or mortises made through the shaft-arms, and 104 METHODS OF SUBJECTION. the ends of the bars fitted to them. The inner one should be fast- ened permanently, but the outer one so fitted that it can be taken out and reversed, to allow driving the other way. It is best to have BREAKING RIG. 105- the holes or mortises duplicated, so that the bars can be adjusted to fit the size of the horse. If the wheels are not high enough to support the frame arms^ put an extra piece of scantling on the upper, side, and make the mortises or holes high enough to bring the bars where the shafts would come in driving. The simplest way of fastening the horse in the rig is, after he is harnessed in place, to pass a strap under the body from one bar to the other, another over the body and shoul- ders, and a third over the hips. No matter how vicious or headstrong a runaway horse may be,, the faster and more determinedly he runs in this rig, the sooner he will from necessity -become gentle. He has not the liberty to- rear up, throw himself, or kick. If he undertakes to run he will be carried round in a circle so rapidly as to become completely dizzy,, and would fall helpless if not confined and supported. If sensitive about having the head, neck, or hind parts touched, he can now be handled until he is entirely submissive to it. If he is afraid of an umbrella or robe, these objects can be brought around him until he is submissive. If he is afraid of a carriage-top, open and shut an umbrella before his face, over, and. behind him, until he is fearless of it. If afraid of having the rein caught under the tail, and inclined to run under such circumstances, he can now, with entire ease and safety, be made to submit to it. With such a rig made, which is very simple and easy to con- struct, the green colt, kicking runaway horse, or those of other dangerous habits in harness, such as fear of top, umbrella, or robev etc., can be easily broken by any one. The point is to adjust the rig to the horse, so that he will not be hampered or feel any serious restraint, except when he struggles to resist ; and then let him go or drive him as explained, until, under the most trying tests, he is- proved to be submissive and docile. Not only this, but it will also be found very effective for break- ing single balkers, — a very important advantage. By modifying: the rig a little as shown in Fig. 133, the pole may be allowed to extend to the opposite side of the circle, to which a gentle horse can be attached. Now, with the War Bridle cord on, of course after being previously subjected to it as explained under the head of balking, it is adjusted to the pole in front. If the horse will not go- when commanded, the gentle horse at the opposite end of the pole can be started up, when his whole power, if necessary, can be brought upon the cord, which will soon bring the horse forward off his feet, when, after a few repetitions, he will stop and start freely at command. Chapter III. COLT TRAINING. THE successful teacher aims first to gain the confidence of his scholars, so that he can address their understanding clearly. But were he to transform himself into a dangerous monster, whipping them while talking in an unknown language, indicating by his actions that he would kill or injure them, they would become so frightened and excited that their first im- pulse would be resistance or a desperate strug- gle to get away. Now this is the impression made upon a wild, un- broken colt when hurt, frightened, or excited, in the effort to train and control him, and which in a proportion ate degree must in- crease the difficulty of his successful management. It is important, on this account, that every step in the management of these cases be of a character to prevent and overcome fear, when the instruction and training can be carried forward to the degree of the colt's ability to understand, and there is perfect obedience. In the first place, it is important to discriminate as to character, whether naturally gentle, very wild, or vicious. On this account, for convenience, I will divide them into three classes : First, colts L106] Fio. 134. — Simple Way of Haltering a Dangerous Colt. FIRST GLASS. 107 that are naturally gentle, but nervous. Second, colts that are some- what wild and unaccustomed to being handled. Third, those that are not only wild, but vicious and dangerous. The — First Class Usually require but very simple treatment. The first important point is to teach the colt to lead. The War Bridle is by far the best and simplest means of doing this ; but as this may not be available, I will explain how it can be done in most cases very easily Fig. 135. — Testing a Doubtful Coll before Subjecting to Treatment. ■with a common halter. Put on quietly a simple rope halter that fits nicely upon the head, the nose-piece extended well down ; tie the noose back of the jaw into a knot, to prevent its slipping or drawing tightly upon the jaw. Now stand opposite the shoulder, take a firm hold of the hitch- ing-part, and give a sharp, quick jerk, which will pull him around toward you. This pulling to be repeated at short intervals until he will come around freely without being pulled upon, when go to the opposite side and repeat the same. Now gradually increase your circle to a line straight ahead, until he will follow in any manner. If the colt is a little heavy, perhaps sullen, tie up the near fore leg, lOS COLT TRAINING. when he can be pulled around easily. Once yielding, give the leg freedom, when he will follow freely. After leading well, catch the halter up near the head, and go around with him on a sharp walk at the same time, and bring a pole (one end of which being well back of the arm) against the quarters. The pulling around will sufficiently disconcert the colt to allow this without much resistance, when re- peat, and he will soon learn to submit, after which repeat on the op- posite side. It would, however, be much better to put on the War Bridle if available, and after pulling right and left two or three times, bring a pole against the quarters, legs, and flanks, as before ex- plained. If there is submis- sion to this, it will be all that is necessary to do, and will be just as effective as if the colt was subjected to the severest treatment. Now handle the feet gently. There is quite a sleight in doing this. The point is, when on the near side to rest the left hand against the shoulder, and as the other is run do-wn to the foot to press the body from you, throw- ing the weight upon the opposite foot, when the near one will be relaxed, and can be taken up easily. While holding the halter with the left hand extended back to the hip, and holding it short enough to pull the head partly around, pass the right hand down over the leg and along gently, until the fetlock is reached. Now, as there is an effort to lift the foot, press from you with the left hand, and the foot can be easily brought up. At first do not lift it very high, gradually repeating until it can be taken up on a level with the knees. This submitted to, remove pressure with the left hand, and move forward under the leg, the left arm and elbow coming over the leg above the gambrel, so as to hold it firmly between both knees and hammer it light!}-, then put down and take up again. In Fig. 136.— About the Lengtli the Halter Should be Tied. FIRST CLASS. 109 this way repeat a few times, gradually hammering harder until there is no fear or resistance. This to be repeated on the opposite side. Now mount the colt quietly. The best course is to stand oppo- site the shoulder with the left hand grasping the halter and mane, the right resting upon the back. While standing right up to the horse, make a little spring upward, and on the instant of doing so throw the right arm forward so as to bring the part a little forward of the elbow, across the back and hold the body so poised a little v^B. FiQ. 137.— Pulling the Foot Back with Cord. while. If the submission is at all doubtful, it is better to repeat this two or three times, at each time bringing the body up a little higher, or until the breast will come across the horse's back. This sub- mitted to, gently bring the right leg up over the back, and gradually assume a sitting position. Be careful at this stage to caress and talk to the colt. At each progressive step it will help your efforts greatly to give him some little present of an apple, or something else of which he is fond ; then go on more boldly, and in a short time you can get off or on as you please. It is desirable at this stage to accustom a colt to sliding back over the hips, and touching the heels against the flanks. There is quite a sleight in doing this. It is this : While across the back with the leg partly over, catch the halter or bridle rein short enough to 110 COLT TRAINING. pull the head around a little toward the left shoulder. Now gradu- ally slide back, touching both heels gently against the sides, until you can slide back over the hips. Should he at any point resist or jump, you can instantly slip over to the near side, and the head in the meantime being pulled around toward you, throws the hind part from you. Simply repeat until he can be mounted and will submit to all this in any manner. In teaching to drive in harness, the first thing to do is to accustom the colt to have the hind parts and flanks touched without resistance. The simplest way of doing this is as Fig. 138.— Pulling the Foot Forward. follows : Take an ordinary pole, something like a rake-stale, and see that there are no rough corners or points on it. While standing op- posite the shoulder, with the right hand holding the pole, its end resting back under the arm, bring the other end quietly to the mane and scratch along carefully, gradually extending back over the body and legs, then go behind and rub down between the legs, belly, etc., until submitted to. Training the Mouth. The next step is to train the mouth. There are two ways of do- ing this — by putting on the Bitting Rig and accustoming to the bit TRAINING THE MOUTH. Ill for some time, and driving directly with the bit. In my practice I trained the mouth directly with the bit. If the bitting method is adopted, the course to be pursued is to put on a bridle with an ordi- nary smooth snaffle bit and leave it on until accustomed to it, then put on any ordinary rig and check at first so as to bring but iittle restraint upon the head, leaving it on thirty or forty minutes. Next day check a little shorter, and let him run in a yard, or be led by the side of another horse. At each repetition check a little shorter, until the head is brought as high as he will bear, and submit to it. If this Fig. 139. — The Coll as he Stands after Treatment. course be adopted, be careful not to draw too tight at first, nor leave on too long. Many a colt is ruined or killed by this kind of impru- dence. The error in bitting usually is that the colt is caught and entirely held by force and, while perhaps greatly frightened and ex- cited, the rig is put on and the head checked up high and fastened there mercilessly. The result is that if a colt of much temper and courage, he is liable to get mad, rear up, and throw himself over back, which frequently results in his being killed. In any event he is worried and excited to a degree that causes serious harm. An- other thing : if left on too long, he becomes tired, and to relieve him- self he rests the head upon the bit, and thus learns the habit of lug- 112 COLT TRAINING. ging and pulling upon the bit in driving, a very unpleasant as well as mean habit. He is also, from this cause, liable to learn the habits of refusing to rein but one way, or pulling on one rein, throwing the head down when pulled upon, refusing to stand, or to back. These were habits that I had to contend with almost constantly in colts partly broken that were brought me to experiment upon. A very good and simple Bitting Rig can be made as follows : With an ordinary bridle with snaffle bit and gag-runners, fit a sim- ple surcingle with loops at different points on both sides with crouper attachments, as shown by Fig. 150. Next take a piece of cord about the size used for War Bridle, and place the center over the water hook, or to be held by a strap connecting it with the sad- dle part. Now pass the ends forward through the gag-runners down Fig. 140— Wrong Way of Teaching Colt to Lead by Halter. through the rings of the bit on each side, thence back through the loops on each side of the surcingle, and tie into the hip-ring of the back-band, sufficiently short to give the restraint required. The higher the cord is held on each side, the greater the tendency to pull the head up and back, while the lower it is, the greater the tendency to pull the nose in ; so the hight on each side should be regulated to suit the case. While by this means there is restraint upon the head up and back, the sliding of the cord through the rings and gag- runners gives sufficient freedom for the head to be brought down to relieve fatigue. Other breaking rigs, and some very good ones, are in use ; the only objection to them is their expense and complication, there being in some cases arrangements of cross-bars put upon the saddle-part to give more fulcrum in pulling the head up and back. It is evident that the end to be attained is to teach the mouth to be submitted freely up and back to the flexible restraint of the bit in driving. Now, bit- TRAINING THE MOUTH. 113 ting only holds the head to a fixed position of restraint, and does not give the idea of doing this practically, which, as stated, is the point to be attained. This I learned to do easily with the Breaking Bit as follows : Put on an open bridle with smooth snaffle-bit a little longer than common if attainable, with harness which should be so fitted as to rest easily upon the body. I was in all cases in the habit of giving the head entire freedom, and I made it an important point that the horse could see me, consequently used no blinders. The reins should be brought back through the shaft or lug-bearers. Fig. 141. — When Pulled upon Very Hard, is Liable to Rear and Throw himself over Backward. Get directly behind and drive the colt around slowly. When he pulls ahead, give a little raking jerk, then slack instantly, and so re- peat. Do the same for throwing the head down and lugging, which will bring the head up and back, simply repeating until the mouth is submitted freely to moderate resistance and held in position. Sometimes the colt will fight this quite hard. If he is at all sullen, and resists hard, the Breaking Bit must be substituted. It will re- quire a good deal of work to make your point, and at best can only be accomplished imperfectly with anything like an ordinary driving bit. In such a case you are to substitute the Breaking Bit, which enables you to make your points very easily and quickly. Even 114 COLT TRAINING. with this there will be sometimes quite a hard fight for a time. Sim- ply persevere, being careful not to lacerate or bruise the mouth. When the colt resisted too hard, I found it better to stop until he became cool, and then repeat, when the point could be made very easily. It will be noticed, in making a horse lead with the War Bridle, that he may at first resist very hard indeed. It would seem to an Fig. 143.— Right Way of Pulling to Teach the Colt to Lead. inexperienced person that he could not be made to lead at all, but by perseverance it will be found that the horse will give up uncondi- tionally. The principle is the same in training the mouth in this way with the bit. A horse may resist for a time with great deter- mination. Simply keep cool, go slowly, repeating as stated, and he will soon learn to submit unconditionally. In any event, there must be perseverance until the point is made and the mouth submitted to the slightest restraint if necessar}-. The lesson should be repeated in driving to wagon. The details now will be the same as for the management of the next class, which can be referred to. SECOND CLASS. 116 Second Class. Among this class there will sometimes be found a colt that may- develop quite a bad character, and it is necessary to proceed cau- tiously. First learn, if you can, what you have to deal with. If a colt is at all mild, and not easily approached, it is best to turn him quietly into a moderate-sized room or carriage house. There should be no stalls which he can run into, or corners to run against and hurt himself It would perhaps alarm him too much to try to catch him and put on a halter, and besides, there would be danger of his getting hurt. This difficulty can be easily, overcome as fol- lows : Get a pole about ten feet long, and drive two nails into it, Fig. 143. — Simple Method of Making a Sullen Colt Follow Instantly. about eight inches apart, the first about one inch from the end. Take a common rope halter and form a slipping-noose with the part which slips through it back about two feet, hanging the part which goes over the head on the nails of the stick, so as to be easily' ad- justed upon the head. (See Fig. 134.) If the colt is not very much excited or frightened as the halter is extended toward him, he will reach out his nose to smell and examine it. While he is trying to gratify his curiosity in this way, bring the slipping part under his jaw, while the head part is passed over and back of the ears, when by turning the stick half round, the halter will drop upon the head. Now, by pulling upon it, the slack will be taken out, and the halter will be upon hjm securely. Should you try to teach him to lead now, he may resist so hard as to become very much excited and worried. Even with the War 116 COLT THAT XING. Bridle on it is not always policy to try it at this stage. The best course to pursue is to subject to the Second Method of Subjection. Reach out as carefully as you can until you can get hold of the tail. It must usually be done very quietly. Tie it into a knot, and run the halter through, drawing short enough to bring the body into a half circle. Catch the cord and hair with the right hand, and with the left catch the hitching part well up toward the head, and go around with him a few times as shown in Fig. 86 ; then tie into a half-hitch knot, and let him go around. Be careful not to tie so short that he will go around too quickly, as this would make him so dizzy that he would fall down. As you let go, motion the hand toward the head as he passes, or catch up a pole which is readv and motion toward the head, and touch lightlv around the Fig. 144. — The Colt as he will Usually Follow after Treatment. hind parts. This to be done only when he is going slow, which will force him to go rapidly ; and in this way continue until he becomes so dizzy that he will submit himself to be poled around the legs and body in any manner. In most cases this is a very simple operation, and entirely safe ; but there are frequently cases that require con- siderable care and judgment. For example, should a colt be of a sullen, reckless character, if he is tied too short at first and then let him go his own way, he may lunge and throw himself This can al- ways be avoided by holding the strap part of the halter when passed through the tail with the hand, and then going around a few times until he is a little dizzy, and in the meantime pull just the length required and make fast by tying into a half-hitch knot, when give freedom. Sliould he go too fast, or there is danger of his fall- SECOND CLASS. 117 ing or throwing himself, catch the end of the strap and pull loose. This is a very nice point, and one that must not be neglected, whereas, if tied too short at first, causing him to go too fast, it is im- portant that the strap be instantly pulled loose and tied longer. In either case, the point is to regulate the going around just enough to make him dizzy and no more. There is nothing made by letting the colt fall, and especial care must be taken to prevent his throwing himself Now proceed with the poling. Touch every part of the body that is in the least sensitive while going around, until submitted to ; Fig. 1-15.— Teaching a Colt lo Follow with the Whip. then untie and do the same. I mean by this that when he will sub- mit to being touched on any part with the pole, go to the opposite side and repeat until there is no fear or resistance shown. Every part of the body must be touched. Usually the feet can be taken up now and handled. Next get on the back. These points should be made thor- oughly. As a general thing, this will require but a few minutes' ef- fort, and the change will seem wonderful. All his fears and sensi- bilities apparently having left him, he acts the part of an entirely gentle colt. But some colts, and those too that may appear quite gentle, may resist very hard when touched or tested in this way, striking and kicking with great fury. This is not to be accepted as a cause for discouragement. Simply force up sharply to the point 118 COLT TRAINING. of helplessness, and, if resisting this very hard, reverse quickly and tie the other way, and thus repeat until there is entire submission. It is very rare that even a colt of this character, when this treat- ment is applied properly, cannot be made perfectly gentle within from eight to twelve minutes. If the case is a bad one, after making this point, proceed as fol- lows : Put on the War Bridle and make him follow thoroughly. There will usually be but little trouble in making the colt follow with this in a few minutes. Now take up the feet, as before explained. If this should be resisted, punish a little with the cord by pulling Fig. 146. — Colt as he will Follow after being Trained with Whip. right and left once or twice and repeat. As a general thing there will be but little trouble experienced. Sometimes it may be found quite difficult to take up the hind feet without getting hurt. In such a case simply tie a flexible piece of rope or webbing to the hind foot, and while held at the head by an assistant, pull the foot back. This may at first be resisted quite hard, but simply keep repeating until it is submitted to unconditionally. Now gradually catch the foot with the hand, and so repeat until it can be handled without difficulty. (See Figs. 138 and 139.) The opposite foot must be treated in the same manner. If this is resisted very hard, turn to instruction on "Bad to Shoe," where full details are given. The next step is to drive in harness. I found I could accom- plish my end quicker and better by putting on a nice, smooth SECOND CLASS. 119 Breaking Bit, with wide leather inside the rings to prevent its being drawn through the mouth, then pass the reins back through the shaft of the harness, and stand behind, holding the reins far enough away to avoid being kicked or hurt. Now touch gently with the whip, and gradually let the colt go any way he will, straight ahead. When he will do this nicely, teach him to stop by calling "Whoa!" sharply, and immediately giving a short, sharp, raking jerk, just enough to stop him, but immediately slack. Usually the horse will resist this by trying to go ahead. Simply repeat until he will get the idea and stop promptly at command. It is important that this Fig. 147. — Bringing the Pole Against the Quarters. is repeated until thoroughly learned. Now gradually make him go sideways by pulling the line to the right or left. In any event, this must be persevered in until the colt will stop and start, turn side- ways, or in circles, as required. Do not commit the error of trying to back him or make him back too freely. While it is advisable to teach him this now, it must be done very cautiously. Simply call "Back," and pull him back just enough to bring him off the feet a little, if you can, backward. This to be repeated until he will move back by pulling gently upon the reins and saying " Back." Let this be the object of two or three short lessons, so as to get him to come back at command, but not to go back too freely for this reason : If 120 COLT TRAINING. a colt is made to come back too easily, should he become frightened at anything in advance of him, and especially if pulled back suddenly, he is liable to go back too far, and thus learn the habit of running back, turning around, upsetting the wagon, and getting away, one of the worst habits a horse can acquire. This point of coming back accomplished, now stand a little side- ways and bring the pole across against the quarters, then between the legs and under the body until it is submitted to unconditionally. Next bring back against the pole or rail anything about as high as the cross-piece of shafts when in harness, as shown in Fig. 147. This submitted to unconditionally, with sufficient control of the Fig. 148. — Bringing Pole against Quarters when First Driven in Harness. mouth to hold a colt under any degree of excitement, the next step is to drive in shafts. If he becomes excited or stubborn at any point, particularly if he resists the bit hard, the better way will be to put him away until cool, when by repeating the lesson he will soon work in. At this point there is great danger of spoiling the mouth, because when the blood becomes much heated the sensibility of the mouth becomes so blunted that he will bear to have it cut to pieces without seeming to feel it ; but when over the excitement it will be so sensitive and sore that he will be liable not only to yield too freely, but, as before stated, acquire the habit of running back ; hence the necessity of being careful in this respect. The course I found easiest and best was to get two poles, something like hop poles, about twelve feet long, lay them down in the form of shafts ; about six feet from the forward ends lay on a piece of pole and make fast with pieces of rope or strap, so as to make the poles at this point SEGOND CLASS. 121 about three feet apart ; now hitch the colt into these poles without breeching, and drive 'along as shown in Fig. 153, repeating the les- son until he can be turned right or left, back against the cross-piece, or submit to any excitement, and can be held and managed easily. This point accomplished, you can next hitch to a wagon. If available, get a two-wheeled cart, which would be much better. Before hitching to wagon or cart, be sure that all fear of any rattle or noise from behind is thoroughly overcome. Next, when the shafts are brought up behind and the colt put in, run the cross- piece against the quarters two or three times and push them right Fig. 149. — Method of Backing the Colt against Rail or Pole. and left against the body, then shake and rattle the wagon, then move him along a little, pulling the wagon behind. Now attach the tugs and breeching-straps, and if you wish to give the utmost security, attach a piece of cord or strap to the near fore foot, and hold as a third line. Now, should the colt try to lunge ahead, sim- ply take his foot, when he will become disabled. Usually there will be no resistance. It is simply a measure of precaution. Found safe, take off and drive moderately. Another point : The colt should always be hitched where the road is wide and level, or in a field, giving a chance to drive around and turn easily. At first let him go any way he will, giving him a moderately slack rein. If the previous work has been well done, the colt will be as gentle and indifferent to excitement as an old horse. But if not subdued and made thoroughly gentle and fear- 122 COLT TRAINING. less, as before explained, there is danger, in exceptionally bad cases, of his getting frightened and kicking, and thus a great point is lost. It is, in fact, almost fatal to success to let a colt by careless- ness or accident resist at any point, as it makes him cunning and •doubtful, — a condition that sometimes requires very careful, thor- ough work to overcome. There should be no effort to make a drive until the colt is ac- customed to turning, stopping, and starting, but not to backing ; let that come after the going ahead and stopping is thoroughly es- Fio. 150 — Simple Form of 6itting-rig. tablished, when repeat the lesson on backing a little. At first, the driving should be confined to a walk, then gradually let out to a moderate trot, being careful not to drive to the point of exhaustion. If the colt steps well, and it is desired to cultivate a fast trotting gait, there is more necessity for going slowly. First, let him out on a smooth, moderately descending road, holding up often, and speaking to him kindly. Gradually he can be let out faster and a little farther, but not to the point of breaking, nor so far at any time as to cause fatigue. If it is intended to hitch to top carriage, drive around first with an umbrella held over the head, bringing it over the back. Ne.xt, lead him around so that he can look into the top and smell of it, then lead him into the shafts and hitch. THIRD CLASS. 123 FiC4. 151— strained, Unnatural Position of tiie Head wlien Checl fright at a passing steamboat. Guard Ledlie caught the animal, when Mr. Zeiss said lie^ould then manage the horse, and .started off. The horse went off all right for about 60 yards, when: he again ran away and went 15 or 20 feet, when he dropped dead." Colts or unbroken horses are especially susceptible to fear. Al- most every step in their management, as shown in Colt Training,, lies in overcoming resistance excited by fear. It is the principal cause of kicking and running away, as well as many other annoying or dangerous habits, which make the horse partially or wholly worthless for use. A colt that once had the habit of feeding around and poaching- in neighboring yards, was so gentle and indifferent to fear that he could scarcely be driven away. In order to frighten him off, an old 132 FEAR— ITS EFFECTS. tin pail was tied to his tail and a dog set on him. At first he cared nothing about it, but when he started to run, the pail rattled and thumped against his heels so severely that he became frightened, and kicked. The faster he ran, the more the pail rattled and thumped against his legs, and he ran until he was exhausted. As the result, his nervous system was so shaken and injured that after- ward the stirring of the grass, or drawing of a stick on the ground behind him, would so excite him that he would scringe, switch, and kick. The effect is the same upon a colt or horse which by some ac- cident or imprudence has been excited to kick and run away while ^ Fig. 162. — Excited by Fear. hitched to a wagon. The striking of the wagon against the legs in kicking, makes him think it is the wagon hitting and hurting him. and he tries in the most desperate manner to get away or free him- self from it ; so the fear, kicking, and running are increased until freed from the wagon, disabled, or caught. Thus the wagon be- comes the same in respect to frightening and exciting the horse and spoiling him, that the tin pail was in frightening the colt. The same effect, of exciting and frightening the horse as by sudden or unex- pected contact with objects or sounds, are produced in various ways. Now, as these difficulties are entirely preventable by proper treat- ment, the importance of understanding and applying it can be ap- preciated. A horse's way of reasoning is limited to his experience in see- ing, hearing, and feeling. When convinced in this way that an ob- GENERAL REMARKS. 133 ject or sound will not hurt him, no matter how objectionable or re- pugnant it may have previously seemed in appearance, it will be regarded with indifference. It is remarkable also what a degree of insensibility to fear, or how much confidence can be inspired when subjected to proper treatment. For instance : Let a pole be brought suddenly or unexpectedly against the quarters of a wild colt, and he will instantly jump, snort, and kick, showing the greatest fear of it. If this be repeated for a few times, the fear, kicking, and effort to get away will be greatly increased. If, on the contrary, the pole were slowly and gently brought to the nose, so that he can smell of it, then passed over the mane and back, gently rubbing the parts, and gradually extending it over the hips and across the quarters lightly, increasing the force of the contact as he will bear, at the same time attracting his attention and quieting his fear by stroking the head, talking to him, or giving apples, etc., a few repetitions, re- quiring in all perhaps not more than ten or fifteen minutes, will make the colt entirely fearless and indifferent to being touched. I was once present when a team of four horses was harnessed for the first time to a band wagon. With the first note, the horses were excited to such intense fear that it was only by the greatest effort they were kept from running away, though the band stopped playing instantly, I directed the men to get out and go back about fifteen rods. In the meantime, I took the most excitable horse by the bridle, stroked his nose, talked to him quietly, and directed the others to be treated in like manner. They were greatly excited ; the one I held fairly shook with fear. After a few minutes, I directed the band to commence very lightly upon one or two instruments at first, the others afterward to gradually start in. This slight com- mencement was repeated several times before the horses would bear it without showing great excitement. I then directed them to play louder, and increase the tone gradually until up to the full force of all the instruments and drums. This point made, while playing they came forward very slowly, got in and commenced again in the light- est possible manner, gradually increasing the sound until they played again with full force. I now directed the band to keep quiet while the team was driven a short distance,, then, as before, com- mence lightly and slowly, gradually playing louder until the horses appeared indifferent to the sound. The result was that in less than twenty minutes the band paraded the streets, playing as they pleased, the horses entirely gentle, in fact, appearing to enjoy the music. Here we see such marked excitement and fear shown from hearing a sudden, unexpected sound, as to precipitate the most 134 FEA R— 1 TS EFFFJ ' TS. violent resistance, and the contrary of soon quieting down and be- coming indifferent to it, by convincing the reason that it would not ■cause injury. As the resistance of colts is almost wholly excited bj- fear, I had necessarily to give a very full explanation of their man- agement in reference to preventing and overcoming excessive fear, which should be referred to ; but their management is so intimately connected with this chapter that I will, at the expense of some rep- etition, give further details. Suppose we wish to accustom a colt to the sight of a piece of paper or a white handker- chief. It is first brought to his nose so that he is able to feel of it, and see it plainly, then rubbed against the head and neck until it ceases to attract attention. If now the operator were to step behind or opposite the flanks, and throw it suddenly behind or under the belly, it would be very likely to excite as much fear and resistance as if he had not before seen or felt it. The difference of position makes it appear a new object of danger to be avoided. Familiarized with it at the head, it should be thrown down carelessly in front, then a little farther back, occasionally rubbing it against the head and nose, and so repeating until it can be thrown anywhere around or under the body ; this must also be done on both sides of the bodv alike. A spirited horse that may have been driven for years to a wagon, gentle, would be just as likely to kick and run away should the breeching break and let the cross-piece or whiffletree come against the quarters, as if he had previously known nothing about them. And so in relation to other objects or causes of resistance. This is particularly noticeable in breaking colts, as shown by the fact that making one side or leg gentle will not make other parts so ; both sides must be treated alike. It is on account of these condi- tions not being understood (the details of which are given in Colt Training, Kicking, etc.). that so ma/'v accidents occur from the use of horses supposed to oe g"entJe and safe- They are' gentle so far as they have beea broken or accustomed to certain objects or sounds ; Fig. 163. — Nervous, Excitable Nature. RATTLE OF WAGON. 135 but when subjected to changes, the impulse of kicking, running away, etc., is as liable to occur as if they were entirely unbroken. Hence we say that the great majority of such accidents are the di- FiG. Ifj5. Contrasts of Cliaraoter. Fi.;. 166. •rect result of ignorance and bad treatment. For details, see preced- ing chapter on Colt Training. Fear of Rattle of Wagox. If the horse is afraid of the rattle of a wagon, restrain or over- •come his resistance as may be necessary by one or more methods of subjection. Next, accustom the horse to being touched on the quarters, etc., with a pole. Put on the harness with Patent Bridle or Breaking Bit, to insure holding him easily, bring him in front of the shafts, and have some one rattle the wagon until the horse is regardless of it. Now carefully put him between tRe shafts, and let Fig. 167. Fig. 168. Fig. 169. Contrasts of Character. the wheels and body of the wagon be shaken again ; then drop the shafts upon the ground and repeat. Should the horse at any time try to run ahead, pull him back sharply until he will stand quietly without resistance. Now hitch him up and drive moder- ately at first, making a noise by a stick running across the spokes, etc. Gradually let him out to a trot and run, compelling him to 136 FEAR— ITS EFFECTS. stop occasionally at the command to " Whoa." In the meantime, as there is submission, treat kindly. This will not usually be found a difficult habit to overcome. In making experiments before classes on this kind of cases, which were very common, it rarely re- quired more than fifteen or twenty minutes to hitch up and drive such safely, even without breeching. Jumping out of the Shafts. To make a 2oIt entirely safe and reliable in shafts, he should be thoroughly accustomed to objects striking against his quarters or legs. It is not sufficient that he is accustomed to being touched around the tail, or even flanks ; for though brought to submit to Fig. 170 Fig. 1;1. Contrasts of Character. Fig. 172. this, there will be no assurance of his being gentle should the shafts strike lower down on his quarters or legs. In my practice I always made it a point, even after the colt was proved gentle, standing be- tween the shafts, to pull them against the legs both ways, letting them drop down sharply on the ground, until he is entirely indiffer- ent to their noise or contact. When a horse is not properly trained to this, if the breeching is not unbuckled when he is unhitched, there is danger of his becoming frightened from the breeching pulling the shafts sideways against the legs, and bringing its pressure upon an- other part. Under such circumstances a horse, if at all sensitive, is apt to become very much frightened, kick, and jump around until loose, and is ever afterward, the moment unhitched, ready to jump out of the shafts. The habit, as a rule, is easy to overcome. Simply accustom the quarters to be touched, and treat practically as before explained. Top Carriage. A little care in preventing excessive fear will save a great deal of trouble. In no respect is this more strongly illustrated than in the fear of a top carriage. Because a horse drives gentle to an TOP CARRIAGE. 13T open carriage, it is taken for granted he must know enough to drive to one with a top, and hence the trouble. The horse should first be driven around moderately, the driver carrying over his head an open umbrella, which appears to the horse like the top of a carriage. It should be shaken around and over the horse's body gently until it does not attract Jiis attention in the least. Now lead the horse to the carriage, and let him feel and smell of the top, and while do- ing so, raise and lower it. Then lead him around the carriage, shaking and rattling the top at intervals. Next lead him into the shafts so as to bring the head over the dash. If sensitive, caress Fig. 173. — Simple Treatment — Bringing the Pole over the Bacl< and Quarters until no Fear of it is Shown. and talk to him, and reward as before. Turn the horse around in the shafts, lowering and raising the top until it can be brought up and thrown back without attracting his notice. While the top is up, put the shafts through the lugs so as to bring the horse into po- sition, attach the harness, and start him on a walk or moderate trot, repeating the raising and lowering of the top until it is disregarded, when he can be driven right along. If an extreme case, it will be necessary to first compel sub- mission by subjective treatment, and getting thorough control of the mouth with the Breaking Bit or Patent Bridle. There must be 13S FEA n—ITS EFFECTS. no half-way work. Make every step sure, and go slowly until the horse can be put in shafts as before explained, and driven without showing fear. This work must in all cases be done out of doors. It may also be necessary to repeat the lesson once or twice, so far as leading around, feeling and smelling of the carriage, are concerned. It is only a matter of a little work and care in thjs way to make al- most any horse entirely gentle and fearless. Objects Exciting Fear while Riding or Driving. In overcoming the horse's fear of objects while riding or driv- ing, very much depends upon the treatment. If but partially bro- ken, and sensitive, it will help very much to put him through a course of subjection. Sometimes, horses so exceedingly sensitive that they can hardly be driven with any degree of safety, after being treated are entirely fearless in driving. This is seen in the effect Fig. IT.j. Fig. 176 Contrasts of Character. Fig. ITT. produced by the treatment upon the wild colt. The subjection of "Wild Pete," referred to at the conclusion of this chapter, is a good illustration of the remarkable effect of this treatment. If the horse drives gentle, but is afraid of some special object, such as a white stone, stump, sheep, etc., take all the precaution possible against his seeing such things suddenly and unexpectedly. As soon as his alarm is excited, if at all violent, the best way is to stop him, speak encouragingly, and hold him quiet until his alarm subsides, then let him go on, quieting him until the object is reached or passed b)\ Many horses that may appear perfectly gentle, and perhaps used for famil}- driving with entire safety, are consequently sup- posed safe under any circumstances. No mistake can be greater. A horse may be all right, but suppose a threshing-machine or a threshing-machine engine were suddenly met : these are entirely new, and may suddenly frighten the horse. Do not undertake to drive against such objects ; jou had better turn around and drive A ROBE. 139 the other \va)", or lead quietly as you can, ordering the engine to be stopped if necessary. These precautions should be taken with any peculiar object when met ; if not, your horse is liable to become so reckless as to resist control and be spoiled. You cannot afford to take the risk, and no man who has any regard for his family should undertake it. Many horses comparatively safe are liable to be frightened by suddenly meeting a drove of sheep, load of hay, white cow, sprink- ling wagon, etc. For safety, it is better for a few times to get out and take the horse by the head and hold or lead him in part. Par- ticular care should be taken not to expose him to the sudden meet- ing of a brass band and drums or anything of the kind. If he is a crazy-headed fellow that seems all right until he sees something and then loses his senses, lunging into the fence, or turning around quickly, there is so much danger of being upset that unless there is certainty of making him thoroughly safe, he should be con- demned for such use. If he will keep well up to the bit, there should be no trouble in preventing his going sideways by either the Breaking Bit or Patent Bridle. The Bit gives power in but two ways, — sideways and ahead ; so if the horse will not go against it and runs back when suddenly frightened, or turns around quickly, there is practically but very lit- tle power to pre\ent it, except what can be done with the whip and speaking sharply. Hence the great danger and imprudence of us- ing such horses for single carriage driving. A Robe. The sight of a buffalo robe will sometimes excite great fear in a horse. In ordinary cases the fear of it can be easily overcome as follows : While holding the horse by a halter or War Bridle, which would be better, stand on the off side of the head, and bring the robe up to the right side, so that he can see and smell of it. If this is borne, with a quick jerk-like movement swing it over the head, covefing it completely, and go around with him, keeping on either side of the head until he will stop and stand quietly. The first movement determines the success or failure of the experiment. The point is to get it over the head so quickly that the horse can- not see the movement, when the terror of it will almost immediately subside. Then draw it backward and forward, finally pulling it off and throwing it on, and so repeat until it can be thrown over the body or around the horse in any manner. If there is failure by tViis method, which is something of a 140 FEAR— ITS EFFECTS. sleight, take the following course : First, get good control with the War Bridle. Next, while holding the horse firmly with one hand, with the other bring the robe gently to his nose, letting him smell and feel of it, when, gradually, as he will bear, bring it up over the head, neck, and body ; then stand off a little way, and throw it upon him, and repeat until it can be thrown upon him at a distance of eight or ten feet without exciting fear. Both sides must be treated alike. No matter what is done, the treatment must always commence at the nose and head, and gradually work back, as before explained. Fig. 17S.— Letting Coll Feel and Smell of Umbrella. To overcome all fear of the robe, it may be necessary to repeat the lesson several times. If the robe cannot be brought near the horse with safety by the control of the War Bridle, the resistance must be overcome by First or Second Methods of Subjection. The Break- ing Rig, if available, would be still simpler and better. Occa- sionally there may be found cases in which the intensest fear may be shown, for which the treatment should be made exceptionally careful and thorough. When treated by Second Method, the horse may strike and kick so recklessly as the robe is brought near, it may be necessary UMBRELLA OR PARASOL. 141 to hang it upon the end of a pole to bring it near the head with safety. It will aid greatly to give the horse apples, etc., after sub- mitting. N Umbrella or Parasol. For an ordinary case of a horse being afraid of an umbrella or parasol, bring one, while closed, gently to the nose, passing it back over the head and neck ; then open it a little and repeat until it can be fully spread and brought over and around the body gener- ally. Now go off some distance and again approach slowly, and Fio. 1T9— Bringing Umbrella over the Head. hold it over the head. If at any point there is much fear evinced, close it and let the horse see and smell of it, when again repeat the experiment ; so continue until the horse can be approached in any manner while swinging the umbrella over the head, without attract- ing notice. No matter how well the horse behaves, the umbrella ^should not at any time be forced upon him so quickly or unex- pectedly as to excite him. To do so would endanger undoing the good impression previously made. The lesson should be repeated as for other objects. Sound of a Gun. If the horse is afraid of the sound of a gun, first snap caps some distance from him, gradually going nearer and repeating until it can 142 FEAR— ITS EFFECTS. be done over the bod}-, neck, and head, occasionally patting and rubbing the head and neck with the hand ; then repeat, putting in small charges of powder and coming nearer, and so continue until a full charge can be fired over or near the horse, as desired. Hogs and Dogs. Sometimes a dog or hog by running under a colt w ill excite in- tense fear. If very bad, get good control by subjecting to First and Second Methods, and drive around in harness in a small yard where there are hogs, until they will not attract attention. Next, hitch to a wagon, and repeat the driving slowly. These cases usually re- quire several repetitions of treatment. Railroad Cars. When a horse has been frightened by a locomotive or train' of cars, it is sometimes a very difficult matter to overcome the fear, mainly on account of the inability to control the movement of the cars. The simplest and best course for all average cases will be about as follows : — Drive the horse around in harness, so far away from the engine as not to excite much fear, and gradually drive back and forth in long circles, and closer, stopping occasionally to give a piece of apple, or something, talking and rubbing the head and neck awhile. Sometimes it may be advisable to use the War Bridle ; but, as a general thing, it would be better to teath him confidence by driving around near the train. This should be repeated until he can be driven around, and quite close, without offering resistance. Now drive around to a wagon or sulky ; if to a wagon, get one that will allow turning short circles without upsetting. To work surely, it is necessary to work slowly. Of course it will be necessary to have absolute control over the mouth. In this way a horse can be driven with comparative safety near or about moving or stationary trains.. Anything like complicated rigging for the control of such horses, will be found comparatively worthless. If the horse cannot be driven with safety after the treatment given, the risk is too great ;. he had better be discarded for drivinEr near the cars. Fig. isii. — The Press Horse of Go- wanda, a Noted Runaway Kicker, after being Subdued. INSANITY. ua. It may be asked, how I have been able to make horses so fear- less of the cars that they can be led up to an engine or driven near, with indifference. The course I have usually pursued is as follows :: First get the horse under good control by a course of subjection,, usually by the First or Second Methods, or both ; then make ar- rangements with the engineer to let off steam plentifully, and rush the horse, with the harness on, into it until completely covered, when he will soon cease to care anything about the noise, etc. If this cannot be done, drive him around, gradually going nearer the engine until indifferent to it. Much depends, in the first place, upon getting the horse under good control ; second, in the management while in the neighborhood of the engine. A good way, some- times, is to blindfold the horse and drive near the train until quiet, then let him see out of one eye, gradually moving him around, and let him see out of both eyes. Very much can be done in this way. The horseshould be hitched to a wagon and driven at every available opportun- ity about or near the cars. There is one point to which I would call particular attention : The horse may appear perfectly gentle after being treated, but when the position is changed, as when taken from a building into the street, or from the street into a building, or if allowed to stand for some time, he will upon trial seem to be as much afraid as ever, but upon repetition of treatment it will require only a very few minutes to make him as fearless as before. Fig. 181.— Wild Pete. IXS.^NITV. It is not uncommon to find horses intensely afraid of some par- ticular object, as blood, or the sound of the cars, etc., while per- fectly indifferent to other objects or sounds. The causes we cannot: always trace, though we can see the effects. In all ordinary cases,, there is but little difficulty in overcoming such fear by proper treat- ment, but it is possible to find cases so extreme as to render it 14i FEAR— ITS EFFECTS. difficult, if not impossible, to make them reasonably safe. I am satis- fied that many of the extreme cases of this character which I have treated, have been the effect of prenatal causes. But the nervous system can be so impressed by direct causes of fear and injury, as stated, as to destroy life or produce insanity. One of the worst horses I ever handled was a small bay, in Ver- mont, that was perfectly gentle, except being afraid of the shafts touching one quarter. This was caused by the shaft having run into his quarter. Ordinary cases of this kind yield to treatment in a few moments. Some nervous systems are susceptible to very in- tense impressions when once excited, and there will be correspond- Fiu. 182. — Wild Pete in tlie Act of Running Away. ing difficulty in overcoming them. Therefore success must be determined as much by the intensity of the habit as by the treat- ment. The success of the treatment will depend upon the direct- ness with which the brain can be influenced ; but success in getting up a reaction and changing the character as desired, must be equally the result of the amount of resistance, viciousness, or de- rangement of the nervous system. These are points which should be studied, since frequently even a minor habit, or apparently trifling form of resistance, may cause a great deal of trouble to be overcome, because of the intensely susceptible as well as positive character of the case. I will include here reference to a very interesting case of this kind of nervous susceptibility, from a number in my special work, to show the decided effect of proper treatment. This was a nine-year-old bay pony, owned by Mr. Smawley, a livery keeper in Petroleum Centre, Pa. This pony was so wild and ILLUSTRATIVE CASES. 145 reckless that he was in that region of country known by the name of Wild Pete. Every effort to break him had failed. It usually re- quired two men to hold him while being groomed. He could be rid- den, but it was utterly impossible to do anything with him in harness. Once when a harness was put on him, he became so frightened and reckless that he jumped and got away, and when found, all the har- ness excepting the collar had been torn or shaken off. His fear was so great that he was frightfully wicked in his resistance. When I visited the place in 1869, I was confronted with this liorse. All said, " Let us see you drive Wild Pete," regarding it as a -good joke that they had a horse that could "beat the horse-tamer." Fig. 183.— Pole Rig. Upon examination, I found him a small, closely-knit .fellow, possessing great action and power of endurance. His forehead was broad, and the head in all respects well formed. To test him, I put on the War Bridle, tied up his near fore foot, and while holding him, with the lash of a straight buggy whip barely touched his quarters. This frightened him so intensely that he sprang over six feet into the air, kicked violently, pulled away from me and al- though on three legs, repeated this jumping and kicking for over half a mile. I stated to the people that I could not break such a horse in a barn, but would form a class, and on the following day I would •drive him before them without breeching, entirely gentle and fear- less, and that the money for the instructions might be deposited in 146 FEAE—ITS EFFECTS. the bank, to be delivered to me on fulfillment of this condition. As this was one of the most interesting and marked cases I had found in all my experience, and as it represents a large class of nervous, unmanageable colts, I will include the full details of the treatment used : — I first arranged with the owner to have him taken to the Titus- ville trotting park, eight miles distant, and there I subjected him carefully to Second Method, which was exactly adapted to his tem- perament. I touched his quarters very lightly at first, which he re- sisted by kicking, snorting, and jumping in the most desperate man- ner. But I persisted in the effort, repeatedly reversing both ways Fi(i. 184.— Wild Pete, as he Appeared Next Day alter being Subdued. until he was compelled to submit to it, but not sufficiently to hold gentle. This so toned him down that I was then able to subject him without difficulty to First Method, which, as he resisted with great courage, was consequently very effective in his case, but not by any means sufficient to make him submit to be harnessed or put in shafts. I subjected him again to Second Method, and now suc- ceeded in making him entirely gentle to submit to having a pole brought against his flanks, etc. The next step was to drive him, which I knew I could not safely do. To accomplish this, I improvised the pole rig for shafts, re- ferred to in chapter on Colt Training. As soon as he found himself between the poles and was allowed to move, he seemed for a few moments to exert all the energy of despair in trying to get away. But expecting this, I was prepared to meet it and hold him, though his resistance at this stage was very determined. ILLUSTRATIVE CASES. 1J:7 This simple rig, though a chance outgrowth of incidental neces- sity, proved not only just the thing for the emergency, but a valua- ble acquisition for the management of colts and horses generally of this character. Turning right or left, the poles come against the legs ; in backing, the ends stick into the ground, bringing the cross- piece firmly against the quarters. There is no danger of their breaking, and by their use the quarters can be accustomed to being touched or run against by the shafts in driving. Submitting to this he was practically broken, and at once harnessed before a wagon with breeching straps loose, and driven back to the American House, much of the way with the cross-piece striking the quar- ters, proving him perfectly gentle. That evening I drove him to Pe- troleum Centre, and the next day, as promised, exhibited him in harness, proving him a model of docility. An incident peculiar to this case is here worthy of mention : Upon visiting this place about three years afterward, Mr. Smawley informed me that the horse had been used as a family carriage horse and was one of the safest in that part of the country, but that it was impossible to shoe him with the halter on, while with the bri- dle on he was perfectly gentle to have his feet handled. While treating him, had I taken up his feet after the harness was removed, and accustomed them to being handled and pounded upon for a few moments, he would have been just as gentle while being shod with the halter on as with the bridle. As it was, he could associate sub- mission only in the manner the treatment was used, and this car- ried it no farther than driving with the control of the bit, hence the docility to allow the feet to be handled while it was on. Chapter Y. KICKIMG. KICKING is the most common as well as most dangerous habit we have to deal with. It not only destroys the value of the horse most seriously, but makes his use, when it is possible to use him, so unreliable and unsafe as to be a constant menace of dan- ger and loss. The greatest average of test subjects brought me to experiment upon before classes were in nearly all cases kickers rang- Fig. 185. — The Effect of Bad Treatment. ing over the unbroken colt that kicked when touched, the colt that would kick and run away, the one that could not be harnessed or hitched with safety, determined runaway kickers, and especially horses that kicked when approached, or from mere habit. We often had horses brought us that had been experimented upon so much as to make them so thoroughly vicious and dangerous in their resist- ance as to be practically worthless. A great many interesting cases illustrating this could be referred to did space permit ; but to show the value of the treatment here given when properly applied, I will refer onh- to a few cases, as an aid to the reader in making experi- ments. First. A five-year-old stallion, owned in Northern Indiana, that had resisted all treatment. This horse was naturally very gentle, but had been frightened in driving, and could not be put in the (148) GEXERAL NEJfAFKS. 149 shafts. He was driven entirel)- gentle in twelve minutes before the class. Second. An eight-year-old trotting-horse in Cleveland, O. This case would kick and run away in spite of all that could be done. The utmost effort made to break him had failed. The disbelief in my efforts was so great, that, for a test case, I was compelled to buy him at a large price, and was entirely successful in bringing him under the most perfect control in about forty minutes ; and to the surprise of everj-body he was driven next day on the square per- fectly docile, without bridle reins, or breeching. Fig. IsG.— Trealmenl that only Confirms the Habit. Tltird. In ^Mansfield, O., a thoroughbred trotting-mare, seven j-ears old, had kicked from the time she was three years old, and, in defiance of the utmost effort, became entirely unmanageable. This was a severe test case, no one believing that she could be broken. She was controlled with entire success and driven in the street within an hour, and proved afterward one of the gentlest and finest driving mares in the country. Fourth. A seven-year-old horse in Putney, Vt. This was a pon\- horse of remarkable courage and pluck, would run away re- gardless of all that could be done, and was one of the most desperate kickers I ever saw. Upon a test, he pulled six men by the bit, three men to a rein, across the floor, and this with the Breaking Bit in his mouth. He was brought under perfect control in about three quar- ters of an hour, and proved afterward as gentle and manageable as any family horse could be. Fifth. The Hetrick horse, of Xew York, a large Western sorrel horse, was sold for $275 on condition that he could be driven. He had been hitched to a cart both wheels of which were blocked, and 150 KICKIXG. Figs. 187-192.— Contrasts of Cliaracter. though held by three men, he ran away, tore the cart to pieces, and proved ut- terly unmanageable. This horse was bought for $50, and brought to me to ex- periment upon as a test case. He was brought under such complete control in less than an hour after I was able to get my hands upon him (which was a. diffi- cult matter to do with safety), that he could be driven anywhere without breeching by the control of an ordinary bit onl}'. Sixth. A four-year-old colt in Ra- venna, O., of so exceptionally wild and dangerous character that he could only be brought in between two long ropes. It certainly seemed impossible to hitch this colt in harness, because if touched on any part of the body it would be im- possible to hold him, and yet, without any serious difficulty, he was driven en- tirely gentle in thirty minutes without breeching. Seventh. A four-year-old colt of trot- ting blood, in Lancaster, N. H. This was one of the most nervous, impulsive kickers in that country. This horse was sent over forty miles to one of the best horse-breakers in that country to break, who, after working with him two weeks, gave him up as hopeless, but was driven entirely gentle without the least excite- ment or danger within forty minutes. Eighth. A runaway kicker in> Brook- ville, Pa. This horse had not been in harness for two years, and was regarded as entirely unmanageable. After thirty minutes he was driven down hill without breeching by a little boy. Ninth. A seven-year-old horse in Nor- walk, O., had not been in harness for over a year, and was regarded as hopelessly unmanageable. Two horse-breakers who GENERA /> HE MA RKS. 151 visited that country, worked upon this horse for two weeks, result- ing in seriously injuring the horse, and leaving him worse than he was before. This case was entirely controlled in less than fifty minutes' treatment, and was driven next day eight or ten rods distant in the street without breeching, by word of command only. Fig. 1(14. Contrasts of Character. Fig. 19.j These apparently remarkable results were accomplished by one or more of the methods of subjection, with the Breaking Bit de- scribed in the second chapter. These, with a great many other in- teresting cases, are referred to in detail in my regular book on the horse. We had cases of this character brought to us almost daily to be experimented upon, and it was very exceptional cases that we could not hitch up and drive within fifteen to twenty or thirty min- utes. Occasionally we would find cases that we could not control Fig. lltT. Contrasts of Cliaracter. Fig. 198. in one or even two lessons, but it was seldom we experienced any real difficulty in doing so by careful repetition of the treatment, the main point being to apply the treatment carefully and properly. I think it advisable to call attention, first, to the common causes of kicking. In Colt-Training and Fear special attention is called to the fact that making one part of the body gentle gives no 152 KICKING. assurance of making other parts so ; or accustoming a colt to an ob- ject such as a piece of white paper, blanket, or other ordinary causes of exciting fear, making him gentle to having it brought near or placed upon one part of the body, is no guarantee of his being fearlessofit when brought to other parts ; that making one Fig. 199. Ideals of Sullen. Treacherous Natures. Fig. 200. part gentle in handling will not make another so. Thus, for ex- ample, we bring a handkerchief to the nose, and it is soon submitted to. Now, if it be suddenly thrown under the belly, or over the back, and especially if thrown from behind, it will be found to excite as much fear as if the horse had not before seen or felt it. So in accus- toming the body to being handled. Making the fore legs gentle to be handled is no assurance of the hind legs being so. In making Fig. 201. Fig. 202. Ideal Expressions of Determined, Fighting Kickers. experiments, I freqdently illustrated this very clearly by making one of the hind legs or quarters gentle to being handled or taken up, yet showing that the opposite leg would be resisted as much as. GENERAL REMARKS. 15S if the other parts had not been touched. This is particularly the case in relation to the hind quarters. Now, when a colt or horse is broken as ordinarily done, and goes off all right when put in harness, it is taken for granted that he is as gentle and safe as can be expected. He has not been subjected to any treatment that would assure his docility when touched from behind ; consequently, if, by carelessness or accident, the rein is caught under the tail, or the breeching strap breaks, or there is some other cause of derangement that lets the cross-piece or whiffletree come suddenly against the quarters, these parts being practically unbroken or not accustomed to such contact, the horse is li- able to be so frightened and ex- cited as to kick, and once started Fi(!. 203. Fig. 2(14. Points Showing the Expression of Confirmed Kicl 1^^ Fig. 314.— The Old Farm Horse with Blinds. The Horse Should See. A horse can be driven to a top carriage with close blinders, when he cannot without ; this is be- cause he was never permitted tO see the top while in this position, and if permitted to see it sud- denly or unexpectedly, it would be liable to frighten or excite him very seriously, and would be dangerous to have him do so. This is frequently illustrated very forcibly by taking off or changing the bridle on a horse while hitched to a carriage. The horse being thus permitted suddenly to see the top behind him, which is now BLIXDERS. 259 Fic. 315. — The Corners of the Blinders Dang- ling against the Eyes. an entirely new object to him, will often show such violent fear as to resist all restraint and run away. One of two things must be done ; viz., either cover up the eyes so that he cannot see the top, or give him entire free- dom in seeing it, when the cause of the trouble «ill be easily overcome. It is true that blinders may be used in certain cases to over- come natural defects, the same as other appliances are used to overcome certain difficulties ; but they are only necessary, when at all, on account of im- proper or defective education. First, a lazy horse will drive steadier and better when he cannot see the motions of the whip, because such will learn to watch the whip when raised for punishment and jump to avoid it, and then slack up again until the effort is repeated. But if blinders are used upon such horses, they should be so formed that they will not interfere side- ways or forward, or in any way injure or touch the eye. They should merely prevent him from looking back. Second, a horse which has an ugly looking head, or a serious defect in an eye, or has suffered the loss of an eye, will be improved by the use of skillfully applied blinders, which will serve to con- ceal the defects ; and this, as before explained, was the cause of their intro- duction. Third, if the horse is but imperfectly trained, and not accustomed when hitched to a top carriage to see it, the careful covering of the eyes with blinders will enable driving of the horse with com- parative safety so long as the blinders are kept so, and will pre- vent the occurrence of a large portion of the accidents that are of Fig. 316.— Blinders Striking against the Eyes. 260 CHECK ISC AXb JlUXUEHS. daily repetition throughout the country,' resulting in such frightful loss of life and prop- erty. I would repeat that there would be no more necessity nor sense in using blinders upon horses driven in harness, if properly trained, than there is in using them upon horses under a saddle ; and who would think of disfiguring and en- cumbering a horse's head, no matter how poor, with blinders when used for the saddle ? Look at these matters in a reasonable, practical manner. Imagine yourself in iIil- horse's place, and try to feel how you would Fig. 317. — Horses Excited by the Torture of the Burrs Shown Below. Flu. ;il«. Burrs. Halt Size. Fio. 31(t.— Side View, Showing Length of Tacl(S. Half Size. like to be hampered and disabled as horses are forced to be while subject to the arbitrary control and often to the most unreasonable abuse of a vain or ignorant driver, while compelled to work hard. Treat the horse in the same spirit of generosity you would be yourself treated under like circumstances. Then there are other A J'L/iA FOR THE HOUSE. 2ed with torpor, the poor horse is rlriven home again, heated and exhausted, to be fol- lowed perhaps by a chill hat often seriously injures or destroys the poor animal by causing inflammation in the feet (founder) or inflam- mation of the lungs fpncu- moniaj, etc. They are un- necessarily lashed and sav- ' d upon the bit. Fro. .'522.— Ruined by Fasi Driving. 262 ClIECKIXG ASD J! I.I X I) E US. _M^ Fig. 323.— The Effect of being Improperly Broken least claim to being con- sidered a gentleman would need to be appealed to to treat his horses with hu- manity, if not with kind- ness ; )'ct it is unfortunately the case that such appeals, made by disinterested men and women of humane im- pulses and by our humane societies, are often unheed- ed or regarded as the mer- est sentiment. ice, overloaded and whipped into hard drudgery in his last days, when he should be released from work and permitted to end his life in peace. Surely there is no domestic creature toward which civilized man display's > much in humanity as to- .ird this constant and faith- ful companion of his labors and pleasures ; and it would seem that no man with the Beaten by a Cruel Master. It should not be difficult for one to see that a reason- able sense of responsibility should prompt to the most considerate care of every an- imal on the farm. Not only does kind treatment make them more easily managed, but imperceptibly the feel- ing is felt in the home, mak- ing the relations of life more beautiful and hapj)}-. Fin. 33.^.— The Last Days of the old Family Horse. Chapter XII. THE MULE. "TTTE frequently had mules brought in to experiment upon, and \/\/ often found them exceptionally good subjects. A mule when ' ' vicious is supposed to be not only very dull but extremely bad, and if the treatment is not made right, becomes really very difficult to manage ; but when managed according to the experience of our later years, we always found this animal among the very best Pig. 326.— a Favorite Mute. of subjects. No matter how bad the character of the mule, or how vicious the resistance, he always works in, in a short time, entirely gentle. The treatment we used with most success at first was the Second Method, and it was rare that we found one that did not sub- mit to this readily. However, it was not in all cases the clear suc- cess we could desire, and we then depended upon the simpler meth- ods of treatment, making sometimes a good deal of work ; but when (363) 264 THE MULE. we struck the Third Method in connection with the Second, we found mules to yield to treatment very readily. I have in mind two cases which will fairly illustrate others. When I was in Cleveland, O., after having very decided success for a week or two, the subjection of the Malone horse in the first place attracting very wide at- tention, parties from the West Side brought over one evening an extremely vicious mule, they feeling sure that it would break me down. I was asked if my treatment would work upon mules. I answered, " Yes." A man spoke out, "Bring in that ^ mule." I found a very fine, large "> fellow that had been used to a — cart, would kick violently, and c 'c would not have the feet handled. •c I subjected him rapidly for a few o> minutes to the Second Method, E using the War Bridle a little in 1^ addition, when he submitted un- = conditionally within six or eight I minutes. The success of the ex- cl periment was a cause of great 53 merriment, and was regarded as a f=< great feat. In point of fact, the, greatness of the feat was entirely owing to the great susceptibility of the mule to control. At a small town in Central New York certain parties made a great effort to break me down, and depended mainly upon a very vicious mule to do so. This mule had been hitched to a fence out- side, and outrageously abused by being punched with a sharp stick, making him perfectly reckless. In this condition he was brought in for treatment. He was subjected rapidly to the Second Method for a few minutes, followed by the Third Method, and became perfectly gentle within ten minutes, and was driven without breechine. THE MULE. 265 The mule, I think, is, if anything, more susceptible to treatment than the horse, and he is usually more abused and less cared for than the horse. The popular opinion in relation to him is not at all fa- vorable ; but I have found that mules could learn anything about as easily as any intelligent horse. When I was in Fostoria, O., a man there had a small mule that appeared to be half starved, and, as a matter of pity more than anything else, I was led to buy him. We trained this mule to throw boys, and to do anything that the ponies could do. He would squeal, laugh, and do many amusing tricks, and could throw any living man. I sold him when in New York for five hundred dollars to circus men. I would advise in all cases very kind treatment to mules. Sub- ject rapidly for a few minutes to the Second Method ; it will rarely be necessary to use more, and if the case is not made vicious there should be no exception. If a mule is treated gently, given little presents, and flattered, and especially if spoken to kindly when ap- proached in the stall, there should be no more trouble in approach- ing him than a horse. It is a matter of a little care and good management. I include here an illustration of mules as driven in the South, and it is but just to state that I have never been more in- terested than to see common negroes drive a team of from four to six mules before a spring wagon with a single line. Indeed, I am can- did in admitting that it was a greater feat of nice training than any we were able to give in driving horses without reins ; and I often felt like taking off my hat to those negroes in admiration of their re- markable success as teamsters. A negro rides the near pole mule, then a long rein is extended forward to the lead one, and either pulling or jerking indicates to this leader which way to go ; and, so far as I could see, they could be driven as accurately around a cor- ner or any point as could be done with the best of management with reins. The treatment of sickness and injuries for mules is practically the same as that for horses. For bruises or saddle gall, I think it advisable to state here that, being so simple, there is nothing su- perior to cold water. Remove pressure from the part, and bathe thoroughly in cold water. This method, simple as it is, stands over all others for allaying acute inflammation. Simply pour on pure cold water, and repeat as may be necessary. In some cases, as described in the medical department, hot and cold water alternated may be better. It will depend upon the amount of constitutional disturb- ance caused by the intensity of the pain. Chapter XIII. MISCELLANEOUS HABITS. Cribbing. THIS is a habit for which there has been no practical remedy. Many claim that it is caused by indigestion, and that by neu- tralizing the gas generated in the stomach in consequence, a horse will cease to crib. Mr. O. H. P. Fancher, who thirty years ago traveled extensively as a professional horse-tamer, and who is specially referred to in the first chapter as claiming to tame horses by the use of certain scents or medicines, was the most pretentious ad- vocate of this theory ; but I have never known, on any reliable authority, of any case being cured by use of medicine. It has also been claimed that cribbing is caused by the teeth pressing too closely against one an- other, a reliable remedy for which is sawing between them. I have known of a great many cases treated in this way, but without any success, except that in some cases the habit is prevented for a time by the soreness produced by the filing. Driving wedges between the teeth has also been resorted to, the effect of which would be so much pain as to prevent the horse from cribbing for some time. A horse will not crib on anything that is lower than the knees, consequently a practical way to prevent the habit is to tear away the manger, and feed the horse from the floor or from a basket. To break up the habit the only practical remedy is punishment, as hereafter explained. Saturate the manger, neck-yoke, and straps, if inclined to bite them, with kerosene oil. Rubbing the parts bitten upon with strong fly-blister, may next be tried ; or get cayenne or red pepper pods, boil down to a strong decoction, and wash the parts the horse may be inclined to bite upon thoroughly with the solution. To be re- peated at least once a week, for a month or more. The object is to (266) Fig. 328.— a Horse in the Act of Cribbing. CRIBBING. 261 make the lips and mouth so sore as to prevent the inclhiation to bite. This method will often work very satisfactorily ; but, like the treatment first advised, must be done thoroughly to be effective. Covering the parts with sheep-skin will seldom do any good. W. D. Gross, of Kutz- town, Pa., advertises a device for the cure of cribbing, for which he claims much. It is simply a thin plate of metal placed over the upper front teeth and fastened by small bolts. This will, of course, make the gums sore, if pressed upon to any extent, and will undoubtedly work well, and is worthy of trial ; the objection is the difficulty of fastening the plate to the teeth. Cribbing can be stopped by buckling a wide, flexible strap, moderately tight, around the neck. It should be from three to three and one half inches wide. A narrow strap will not work well. When in Bath, N. Y., many years ago, I noticed that a horse when cribbing at a post in the street contracted the larynx and muscles of the neck forcibly during the act. Instantly it occurred to me to make the experiment of putting such an adjustment upon the throat-latch as to • cause sharp pain when there was an effort to repeat the act. I went to a harness-shop, pro- cured some six-ounce tacks, drove them through a strip of leather about half an inch apart, and filed the points sharp and of equal length. I laid this bit of strap on the inside of the throat-latch, so as to bring the points of the tacks under the larynx, and kept it in place by winding each end and the center with a piece of waxed- FiG. 829.— The Halter Adjusted for Cribbing. Fig. 3:i0, — Throat-strap with Tacks. 268 MISCELLA XEO US HA BITS. end. I now buckled the throat-latch long enough so that it would not touch the neck when eating or swallowing, yet so close as to bring the points of the tacks sharply against the throat at the least attempt to crib, and stood by to notice the effect. The first time the horse tried to crib he was hurt so keenly that he jumped almost from the ground. In a short time he tried it again, with the same result ; the third time he only gave a lit- tle nip, and then stood quietly for some time. I now had him changed to another location, with a man close by to note the results. He reported that the horse did not crib any more during the afternoon. I have broken several horses of the habit by this means, and think if the adjustment is made right, and continued long enough, it will be found to be very effectual. Success will depend upon the care with which this is kept ad- justed. If there is large mus- cular development of the neck, the strap must be buckled shorter than when the neck is well cut out, as it is termed. Make the reproof severe at first ; then keep the tacks so adjusted as to touch sharply when the habit is repeated^. If the throat-latch is not on a line with the top of the head, the tacks cut the jaw a little below the juncture of the head with the neck. If this is kept on a few days or weeks, and then taken off and again adjusted carelessly, there is likely to be a failure. If the horse finds he can crib once with this on without hurting himself seri- ously, he will be encouraged to repeat the effort, and will soon pun- ish himself severely to do so. But if punished at first, and this is kept where it will hurt keenly at the least attempt to crib, and is left on a few weeks, it ought to be successful. It will not do to buckle a strap around the neck. The adjustment must be made to the strap of the halter, and the halter must fit nicely to the head. It must be made like a bridle, with brow-piece, so that it will not shift or move on the head. A boy broke five horses of this habit a Fig. 331.— Halter as Used by the Frencli. WIXD - 8UCKIXG. 269 few years ago ; but he became careless and failed on the sixth. There is, once in a while, an old horse of determined character that will crib in defiance of this or any other means. Such cases are, however, rare. A young, nervous-tempered horse will yield readily to the treatment, and but few horses will attempt to crib while wear- ing a muzzle. Since writing the above I find in a French work an illustration which I copy, giving the same idea but much more complex than the method before given. It is included, however, as a point of value, and can be stua- ied in connection with the ex- planation given. If a strap be buckled rather tightly around the neck, a horse will not crib while it is on. This is, however, but a simple pre- ventive. There is also the ob- jection that gradually the horse may learn to resist, to overcome which the strap has to be buckled tighter, which of course obstructs the circulation, and p,„ 33..._Throat-slrap as Used by the French, causes inflammation, thus pro- ducing serious and permanent injury. If a strap is used for this purpose, it should be fully three inches wide, and buckled just tight enough to prevent the inclination to crib. A wide strap works a great deal better than a narrow one, and is less liable to do harm. WiN'D-SUCKIXG. Sometimes a horse sucks wind without the habit of cribbing. I include a cut of a form of bit to prevent this, for which much is claimed. A practical horseman of experience gave me the point. He claimed that it would work perfectly in preventing the inclina- tion to crib and suck wind. Procure a piece of gas-pipe about seven inches long. Drill a hole across each end, through which put in rings, as seen in cut ; next, drill four or five holes, as shown in cut. The theory is that the gas in the stomach cannot escape through the mouth on account of its being closed, and that instinctively the horse will bite on something to open the mouth and throw off the gas. With this bit 270 MISCELLAXEOUS HABITS. Fig. 333. — Bit Made of Gas-pipe, for preventing Cribbing and Wind-sucking. in the mouth, the air passes through the small holes in the center, and out through the ends. (See Fig. 333.) The gentleman referred to positively assured me that in several cases known to him it worked with perfect success. Putting the Tongue Out of the Moutpi. If the tongue is put over the bit, have a piece of thin sheet-iron about two and one half inches wide and five inches long, with the ends rounding, and the edges filed smooth. Drill two small holes Fig. 336) near each edge, at the center, and fasten to the bit. Shorten the cheek-pieces of the bridle, so that the bit is drawn well up in the mouth. This piece of iron renders it impossible for the horse to get the tongue over the bit. The simplest and best way of preventing this is to have the smith make a mouth-piece, as represented in Fig. 335, which is seen to be bent up, and comes so high in the mouth that the horse cannot get the tongue over ; this works well, and is not inconvenient to drive with. It should be bent up at least two and three fourths to three inches, come well out to the cheek-pieces, and be filed smooth to prevent cutting or chafing the mouth. (See Fig. 335.) The tongue is some- times, but not often, put out under the bit. For such cases the follow- ing treatment will work well : — Get three medium-sized bullets, and hammer them out to about an inch and a half in length. Drill a small hole through the end of each. Tie one to the center of the bit by a little piece of wire through the joint. Attach the others to the bit about an inch from the center (one on each side), so as to play loosely. When this bit is in the mouth, these extra arrangements will sa disconcert the horse that in his struggles to get them out of the way, he will forget to put his tongue out. (See Fig. 337.) Fig. 334. — Manner of Putting tlie Tongue out. KICKIXG IX STALL. 271 The next best way is to buckle a strap around the nose so that the mouth cannot be opened. This, of course, prevents the tongue being put out, and in a short time the habit -w-ill be broken up. There are bits now made for this habit, which may be obtained of dealers. Pawing ix Stall. A horse will not paw much unless he can hear the noise ; so a good method of preventing this habit is to muffle the foot by tying a piece of blanket around it. Next, by attaching a piece of chain or clog to the foot, as follows : Get a piece of chain about ten inches in length, run a short strap through one of the end links, and buckle it around the foot above the fetlock ; or a piece of light chain can be fastened to a small block, and attached to the foot in the same manner. When the horse attempts to paw, the clog or chain rattling against the foot so discon- P^^ 3.,^ certs or hurts him that he will repeat the movement but a few times. Kicking in Stall. Kicking with one foot against the side of the stall is a habit which many horses are liable to learn, and, like pawing, it is some- times very annoying ; therefore it is important to be able to prevent or overcome it. In the first place, it is rare that a horse will learn to kick against the side of the stall if it be large and roomy. Large stalls are, in all cases, very important for the health and comfort of the horse, as well as for convenience in going around him. The simplest and best way of preventing this habit is to pad the side of the stall, which will prevent the sound of the striking, when the in- clination to kick will soon be overcome. Or, attach a clog or piece of chain to the foot, as explained for pawing. Another method is to tie some thorny bushes together, and sus- pend them over the place kicked, so as to swing freely when struck- When the horse kicks, the rebound will bring the bushes against the legs, so frightening and hurting him that the attempt to kick will be repeated but a few times. A clog may also be hung over the place 272 ^nSCELLANEOVS HABITS. Fi(i 3:30. struck or kicked, which, when struck, would react in the same way, and thus prevent a repetition of the habit. Making the stall wide, and padding the sides as explained, are the most simple and practi- cal methods for preventing this habit. Getting Cast in the Stall. This is mainly caused by being confined in a stall that is too small. When the horse rolls and turns upon his back, he is so cramped and restrained by the narrow walls that he is unable to roll himself back to regain his feet. Some- times the division of the stall is so short that in the effort to roll, his body comes across, and in contact with, the ends, and, the head be- ing held fast by the halter, it is impossible for him to get up ; so a large, roomy stall would of itself be al- most a complete remedy. The simplest way to prevent it is to tie one end of a piece of rope or cord to the beam or flooring directly overhead, and the opposite end to the head-piece of the halter back of the ears, leaving it just long enough to allow the horse to reach his nose to the ground. As he lies down and tries to roll, being un- able to bring the top of his head to the ground, he is disabled from rolling. A small ring should be stitched to the top of the halter, to which the strap or cord can be easily and securely fas- tened when necessary. Some horses are liable, by J* 10. 3^1. pawing, to get the fore foot, and in some cases even the hind foot by scratching the head with the leg, over the halter-strap, thereby becoming tangled and help- less in the stall. The halter should be hitched higher than com- mon, though long enough to permit the horse to lie down easily. KICKING COWS. 273 JUMPING OVER FENXES. Every dairyman knows that a cow or ox will not attempt to jump a fence, pull it down, or run, while a board is over the forehead, attached to the horns in front of the eyes ; this simple means will usually work well upon cattle, but will not do upon a horse, because it gives too much freedom to see over the nose. If a horse or mule, put on a halter that fits well to the head — a five-ring halter is best. Next, find a piece of fine leather (an old boot-leg will do), about as long as the head, and from four to five inches wider than the head is at the eyes. Attach a string at each corner. Attach the upper corners by the strings to the halter, where the brow-piece is attached to the cheek-piece. Tie the cords at- tached to the lower corners back of the jaw, being careful to leave freedom enough for the jaws to act when eating. Let the ends now pass over the throat-latch, and make fast. The horse is simply dis- abled from looking ahead or over the nose, which will disconcert Tiim sufficiently to prevent jumping or throwing the fence down. If an ox or cow, attach the upper corners to the horns, and pass the strings around the neck instead of over the throat-latch. Tender-Bitted. Use a large, smooth mouth-piece, with leather cheek-pieces, so as to let the bit rest about an inch lower than usual in the mouth. Next, try winding the bit with a piece of chamois-skin which has been saturated with tannin or alum, to harden the mouth. KiCKiXG Cows. Many years ago a man who attended my class in Herkimer Co., N. Y., reported to me that he had a very bad kicking heifer, and as a matter of experiment, he put the War Bridle on her and gave her a sharp lesson with it, as directed for breaking a colt to lead and drive. After a few minutes' treatment, he found that she stood per- fectly gentle to be milked, and he had no more trouble with her. Some time afterward, while in the dairy counties, I gave this point to my classes, and I have since had a good many especially bad kicking cows brought forward to be experimented upon, the treat- ment in all cases proving successful in a few minutes. One of the most amusing incidents that occurred in making these experiments was at a little town near Jamestown, N. Y. At the time I carried canvas, and after getting through the regular ex- periments, a notoriously bad kicking cow was brought in for treat- 274 MISCELLANEOUS HABITS. Fig. 338.— Arrangement of the Cord for Leading a Cow. ment. As usual, a few pulls of the War Bridle made her stand to be milked as gentle as could be desired. While the class were amus- ing themselves over the ease with which the cow was controlled, and somewhat at the expense of the owner, with the cord still on, she suddenly, and without warning, rushed through the wall of the can- vas, almost tearing down the whole tent, and ran through the main street of the town toward home. Every dog in the street took after her, making a most ludicrous scene, no one appearing more amused than the owner. He came into the class on condition that I would make the cow gentle to be milked at home. He never came back to report on the success of the ex- periment. The course of treatment is about as follows: — Put on the War Bridle, second form, pull right and left a few times ; then stand off at a safe distance, and pull a little upon the teats. If there is resistance, punish ; so repeat, until there is no re- sistance. Sometimes the teats are sore, and the pain caused by milking is very severe. Take Goulard's extract 2 oz., sulphate zinc 2 oz., lard 2 oz., and rub upon the parts a few times. This is a fa- vorite remedy among dairymen for sore teats, cake in the bag, etc. This prescription I know to have been sold for fifteen dollars, and it* is prized by dairymen in Northern New York, where the medicine is sold especially for their use. To Lead a Cow Easily. Tie a rope around the head under the horns, bringing the knot over the ear. Now bring the rope forward and under the ear, again forward over and under the cord. By pulling now, the cord will tighten around the ear, hurting so severely that the cow will lead freely. Chapter XIY. TEACHING TRICKS. IN this chapter I give the portraits of my old group of trained horses and ponies, whose performances were regarded with such great interest by all who witnessed them, that for a number of years I was compelled to give an extra exhibition daily for the benefit of ladies and children, for which a regular admission fee was charged ; and it was universally conceded that these exhibitions were more interesting than those of any circus. The performances of Blind Billy were regarded as especially remarkable, from the fact of his being totally blind. He was, without question, the most re- markable performing horse that has ever been exhibited in this or any other country. I give a very fine portrait of this remarkable horse, sketched by a leading artist. The details of teaching a few tricks, which I give in this chap- ter, will be of special interest to farmer boys, who may desire to train their colts in this way. A horse seems more intelligent and tractable when trained to perform a few simple tricks, such as telling the age, kissing, bowing his head, kicking up, turning right and left, or following with the whip, etc., all of which any intelligent boy can easily train a colt to do. In training a colt or horse to perform these tricks, there should be no hurry or effort to teach more than one thing at a time. Make the lessons short, and repeat until thoroughly learned, when another can be taken up ; but do not continue the lesson long enough to ex- cite or confuse the horse. To Follow by the Whip. One of the simplest and most interesting tricks to teach a horse is to follow at the motion of the whip, without bridle or halter. It is even quite useful, as it teaches a horse to follow at command from one part of the barn to another, or to come Qut of his stall without attempting to get away. Full details of teaching this trick are given in the chapter on " Colt-Training." To Nod His Head, or Say " Yes." To teach a horse to bow, or nod his head, prick him lightly on 12751 276 TEACI/lXa TRICKS. the back with a pin, and continue until in his effort to avoid the an- noyance he drops his head ; then instantly stop the pricking and caress him. Repeat the pricking until the head is again dropped, when caress and give him something of which he is fond. Continue to alternate in this way with the pricking and caressing, until at the DETAILS OF TEACHING. 277 instant a motion is made toward the back, or even to take a pin from the coat, he will drop his head. To Shake His Head, or Say " No." To teach a horse to say " No," prick him lightly on the top of the shoulder with a pin until he shakes his head, when stop and re- ward him. Repeat the pricking until at the least motion toward the withers the horse will shake his head. Fig, 340. — Blind Billy. To Tell His Age. To teach a horse to tell his age, prick him lightly on the back part of the leg until, to avoid the annoyance, the foot is lifted, or there is an effort to paw ; for this, stop and caress him. Repeat until the least motion toward the leg will cause him to paw the ground. In teaching this trick, the body is naturally bent a little while in the act of pricking the leg, and by repeating, the position will soon indicate to the horse that he must paw. This position is to be maintained until he paws four, five, or six times, or as many times as he is years old, when the position is changed, and the pawing ceases. 278 TEA ClllXa THICKS. To Kick Vv. To teacli a horse to kick up, simply prick him on the rump with a pin until there is an inclination to kick up, when, as before, stop and caress him. Repeat until the least motion toward the rump will Fig. 341.— Blind Billy Running alter and Catching his Trainer when Playing Blind Man's Buff. induce him to kick up ; then touch with the whip, aiid repeat until at the mere motion of it he will kick up. These tricks may be made quite interesting by talking to the horse somewhat as follows : " Tommy, I want you to tell how old you are ; will you do it } " and signal for the horse to shake his head, as if refusing. Then exclaim, as if surprised, " Oh, you can't tell your age, I suppose, without being paid for it ! Will you do it if I give you a lump of sugar.?" and signal for him to nod his head. You can now signal for him to tell his age, and when he has done so, it gives him an air of sagacity which is very amusing and interesting. Again, you may ask : " What will you do to one who does not treat you well?" Then signal for him to kick. His prompt obedience, of course, indicates to the spectators that he understands what is said to him, when in reality he is only obeying the signals which have been taught him. The nice point lies in giving the signals in such a manner that they will not be noticed or understood by the spectators. Fii:. :! I J— Blind Billy Kicking up. DETAILS OF TEAGUIXG. 279 Fig. 343.- -Blind Billy Walldng on his Knees. Teaching to Kiss. Kissing is a very simple trick to teach a horse, and it adds greatly to the interest of those already explained. Stand facing the horse, with the right side turned partly toward his left shoulder, and let him take a piece of apple from your hand, which is held toward his mouth. Bring it nearer each time, and finally let him take a piece in the same manner from be- tween the lips. When he does not reach forward promptly to take the piece of apple from the lips, prick him with a pin at the point of the shoulder. Repeat until he gets the idea of avoiding punishment by bringing his mouth to that of the trainer when desired. Now put the apple farther into the mouth, which will compel him to open his lips to get it. Commence lessening the size of the apple, finally giving it to him as a reward after he has performed the trick of bringing his mouth to that of the trainer. This will teach him that by doing this he will escape punishment and receive reward. To Lie Dowx. A horse is taught to lie down or to sit up principally by means of the whip or bridle, as follows : Tap the horse smartly across the shins until he will drop upon his knees. This method, however, requires a good deal of care and judg- ment, or it will occasion needless pain and pun- ishment before the horse is made to submit. I will give the following method, which, thoiicrh slower, is better calculated for amateurs : — Tie the bridle-reins into a knot back of the neck, throw your strap over the back, under the body, and tie to the near foot below the fetlock. .Now pass the right hand well over the back, and take a short hold of the strap. Cause the horse to step toward you, and pull the foot up. Then pass the left hand around the reins, pull back and down upon them in such a manner as to turn the head a little to the off side, at the same time pulling Fui. .344 — Blind Billy in his Great Act of Walk- ing Erect. 280 TEACIIIXG TRICKS. Fig. 345. — Tommy. Sketch from Life. down steadily but firmly on the strap over the back with the right hand. As the horse goes down, gradually pull the near rein, so as to bring the head to the left, at the same time pressing d o w n and from )-ou firm!)- with the right, until the hor.se will lie down. Now pass the end of the ^^ strap through the ring of the bit, draw through gently, step over the neck, and as the horse attempts to get up, pull him back, until he lies quiet. Rub and caress him, and after lying a few minutes, say, " Get up, sir ! " Repeat in this way a few times, until the horse will lie down readily. Then while holding him on or near the knee with the strap, h i t him on the shin of the other with a small whip, un- til he will bring it under and lie down. After a while he can be made to come on his knees and lie down by simply pulling the head down a little and hitting the leg with the whip, at the same time saying, "Lie down, sir!" repeating, until the horse will lie down to the motion of the whip. Fig. 346. — Tommy in his Vicious Act of Defending the Ring. DETAILS OF TEACHING. 281 Fig. 347. — Tommy as the Model Riding Pony. To Sit Up. When the horse will lie down promptly, put on him a common collar, and while down take two pieces of rope, each about ten feet in length, tie the ends around the hind feet, carry them forward be- tween the fore legs, and bring them once around the collar. Now step on his tail, take the bridle- reins in the right hand, while hold- ing the ends of the rope firmly in the left. Give a little jerk on the reins and say, "Get up, sir!" When the horse throws out the forward feet and springs to raise himself o'n the hind feet, he finds himself unable to complete the effort, on account of the hind feet being tied forward under him, and so brings himself in a sitting po- sition. Instantly step forward, holding the ropes firmly, rub and ca- ress the head and neck a little for a few seconds, then as you see the effort to keep up becoming tiresome, let loose and say, " Get up,. sir ! " By repeating in this way a few times, the horse will soon learn to sit up when commanded, without being tied. To Throw Bovs. To teach a horse to throw boys, first make him kick up as before explained. Then have plenty of straw on the ground, put a boy on his back, and while holding the halter make the horse kick up sharply by pricking, or touching him with the whip. The instant he kicks up, have the boy throw himself forward over the shoulders, for which give the horse a caress and a piece of apple. Repeat until he will, at the motion of the whip, make an effort to get the boy off. When he has done this, put on a larger and stronger boy, so that he must make a greater effort to get him off. Watch the point carefully, and see that the boy comes off when the horse makes an effort to throw him, otherwise he will soon become dis- FiG. 348. -Tommy in his Great Act of Throwing. 2S2 TEACUIXG T KICKS. Fig. 349, — Tommy as the Gentle Pony. couraged. By persevering in the treatment, he will soon learn to throw the most expert rider. But it will be noticed that he will make a greater effort sometimes than at others. When he does not seem to work well, put on a poorer rider, and work up again gradu- ally. When the horse makes a par- ticularly good point, give him ap- ples, and caress him, for encour- agement. It is important now to teach the horse to throw his rider only when commanded, or at a sig- nal. To do this, when the boy is on, lead the horse a short distance around the ring, and then signal for him to throw. Repeat in this manner, also letting him go around alone with the boy on his back, until he will go on a sharp trot or run, and throw when commanded. I trained a pony to throw so expertly that he would at times turn a man or boy over in a double somersault, and bring him down squarely upon his feet. The best throwing pony ever exhibited in this country was admitted to be "Tommy." (See Fig. 348.) He has been exhibited in all the principal places in the North ; and al- though the best riders, from the bare-back circus-rider to the mus- tang-trainer on the plains, have tried, no man has ever been able to sit squarely upon his back one minute after the horse was signaled to throw him. His performances in this way have been regarded as wonderful. He will even carry two boys on his back for a while, and then at the motion of the finger throw them both. This some- times afforded a good deal of amusement. First, if a boy was indi- cated to him as being good, he would allow him to ride as long as he wished, and then to safely slide off behind down to the ground. Then another boy would come who perhaps used tobacco, or had some other vice, when the pony would throw him immediately. Again, if there was a sharp political campaign, a Democrat and a Re- publican boy would mount him at the same time, and the one who could ride him the longer time could declare his party the victor. To give something of an idea of the wonderful performances of these ponies, especially the expertness with which Tommj' could throw a rider, I give some extracts from the press : — Last night a large number of our leading citizens, by special invitation, were present at Prof. Magner's exhibition on Cham])lain Street. DETAILS OF TEACHING. 283 The first exercise was performed with Blind Billy, a pony stone blind. He sat down as commanded, and walked upright on his hind legs several times around the ring. A handkerchief was thrown down in the ring, and the pony ordered by his master to find it. After walking around a few minutes, the pony came to a stand and seized the article in its mouth. Several other interesting tricks were performed by this blind pony, but the most laughable scene took place when the spotted wild horse, Tommy, was introduced. He presented every appearance of a wild steed, and ran restively about with distended nostrils and fiery eye, his mane bristling like the quills of a fretful porcupine, but at the approach of his master he became as tame as a lamb. Every one was invited to try their equestrian skill on Tommy, and all who tried were thrown to the ground, tenderly, but in the twinkling of an eye. Mr. Mag- ner offered $100 to any one who would ride Tommy one minute. Several tried, but none were rewarded with success. One ambitious gentleman threw off hat, coat, and vest, and said he "would be d d if he didn't ride him. " Tommv was too Fig. 3.50. — Tommy in his Vicious Act — Chasing a Boy out of the Ring. much for him. He was thrown several times, and finallj- concluded that he had bet- ter let Tommy have his own way. — Cleveland Leader. Fux ox THE Parade. The parade yesterdaj' morning presented such a lively scene as has not been witnessed for some time. The occasion was the exercise of some trained horses by Mr. Magner. Straw was plentifully strewn on the ground, and expectation was high while the arrangements were going on. A cordon of boys and men were arranged, a rope placed in their hands, and a ring formed around the straw, into which soon pranced the first animal. This one cut up all sorts of circus capers, the most notable and mo.st heartily applauded feat being the dexterous unseating of a small colored boy,' who had the hardihood to allow himself to be placed astride the animal. Next came a totally blind animal, which performed miraculous antics at bidding. The last feature was the crowning one. A spotted horse was led into the arena amid the plaudits of the vast assemblage present on the ground, and the Reform Club, which appeared en masse at the windows. After various gesticulations by the horse, a challenge was sent to the multitude for some one to mount. A lars'e darkev 284 TEACHING TRICKS. essayed the task ; but no sooner had he pronounced himself " Ready." than Spotty raised his hindermost legs, lowered his head, and 1. d. went careering through the air. " Golly, boss I dat hoss can't do dat again ;" and so up he went again, to be treated the same way. only more so. A fairer complexioned auditor then attempted it. but he was treated in like manner. In fact, it is quite impossible for any one to remain seated when that horse takes a notion to unseat him. The prompt unseat- ing of these two worthies so amused the multitude that Mr. M. thought they had had fun enough for one day. and so announced the show over. His class in this city was a large one, numbering over forty members, compris- ing our leading citizens, all of whom acknowledge the superiority of his system over those of other trainers who have visited this localitv. F;.,,. :^j:.— Tufco and Gifford, as Driven without Reins. His power over untamed horses is said to be marvelous. — Xeit London (f'imu.y Evening Gazette. A Wonderful Performing Blind Horse. Among Prof. Magner's fine troupe of horses is one that is blind. This beautiful pony — for he is beautiful — is a wonder. He seems to understand every word said to him, and will perform the most difficult feats with an ease and rapidity that is surprising. He will go to any part of the ring, find and bring a handkerchief, take it from his leg. or any part of his body, go lame, go right or left, back, go ahead, sit down like a dog on either side, squeal like a pig, roll over, walk and kick on his knees, put his ears back and forward, kiss, with many other tricks, showing the greatest intelligence and most skillful training. He was not touched with a whip during the whole performance. The professor simply stood at the center-pole, and talked to him as he would to a boy. He is. without doubt, the finest and most remarkable performing horse in the world. — Ckreland Leader. An Exciting Incident. Mr. Magner's tent is crowded daily to witness the performances of his wonder- ful ponies, and attend his lectures. One of these beautiful ponies, among other amusing performances, will throw any one from his back. Testerday, when Tommy was introduced, a crack circus-rider came forward to ride him for the reward of one hundred dollars. He stated that he came to Buffalo to set the monev. as he could DETAILS OF TE AC 111X0. 285 ride Tommy, or any other horse, as long as he pleased. At this turn in affairs a gen- eral stir was manifested, ■which culminated in the most intense excitement. It was proved that no ordinary man could ride the cunning little fellow, as shown by his performances for weeks. But here was a trained athlete, that could turn a somer- sault on a horse bare-back without being thrown ; would it be possible to throw Mm ? There were serious apprehensions that he could not. Mr. Magner stood silent a. moment, with the reserve characteristic of him, contemplating the intruder, as if to say, "You may, perhaps, do it. but not if I can prevent it ; " while the other stood with folded arms, showing the most perfect confidence in himself. It was a scene worthy the brush of a painter. The immense throng present were hushed into silence, waiting for the contest. A signal brought Tommy upon a run. The whip was passed around his nose quietly, when the athlete was invited to come forward, who, disdaining help, lightly bounded upon the pony's back ; but before he had time to say Jack Robinson, Tommy commenced a series of gyrations that would astonish an Indian, and sent his man fully sis feet into the air. It was beautifullj- and grandly accomplished ; but would he. could he, do it again ? The trial was made, and, as before, the pony went into the air with the quick- ness of lightning, and, after a little more prolonged effort, sent his man heavily to the ground But the contest was not yet over. All the desperation that pride and confidence could excite seemed to be now called into the actions of the man for a final test. He mounted more carefully, and. with a grasp of iron, awaited the onset. It soon came ; for Tommy, seeming to be now conscious of the task upon him, twisted and turned and jumped as if a demon, his eyes flashing fire, until, with a tremendous bound, he sent the man high in the air from his back, this time fully vanquished. It was a grand performance. Many, with feelings of intense admira- tion, crowded forward to caress the noble little fellow, while Mr. Magner seemed as proud of his pet as if he had won a kingdom. It was the finest and most exciting ■exhibition we ever witnessed. — Buffalo (X. T.) Courier. Driving without Reins. Thirty years ago driving a stallion without reiiis was regarded as one of the most interesting feats of training ever exhibited. That a spirited horse, or a span of them, — stallions, — could be driven, guided, and controlled by only a whip, seemed so' remarkable that people came in crowds many miles to see it done. Yet it is one of the simplest feats of training, and one of the finest illustrations of the ease with which even horses of naturally bad temper can be made manageable when properly treated. I but refer to it here, as the limited space at my disposal will not admit of giving the details of this feat of training. Those specially interested to learn it will find full particulars in my work, '' Facts for Horse-Owners." Chapter XV, EQUESTRIANISM. THAT there is no exercise to be compared with horseback-rid- ing is conceded by all well-read physicians, as well as by all la- dies and gentlemen who have given it a test. One has only to look at a person returning from a ride on the saddle to see at once the beneficial result. The tinge on the cheek, and ruddy glow on the whole face and neck, is a positive assurance of the fact. It will prove a sure cure for dys- pepsia in its worst form, if one will but persevere in the de- lightful recreation. But some one wull say, " Oh, I cannot ride horseback ; it is too violent an exercise." And why ? Simply because the attempt is made without any knowledge of the art, if it may be so called. The fundamental principle of the art of learning to ride is to learn one thing at a time, and learn to do that well, before attempt- ing to do anything else. The first thing to learn is how to sit upon a horse. One should be- come perfectly at home in a saddle upon a constantly mov- ing horse, so that whether it walks, trots, canters, shies, or jumps, he will either not lose, or will immediately regain, his position. The proper seat is a firm one in the saddle, with the legs below the knee free, and the body above the waist supple and pliable. Whatever movement the horse makes, whether to the right or left, or tipping backward or forward, the hips must conform to it, while the legs from the knees downward (286) Fig. 3.52. — Horseback-riding. PRACTICAL HINTS. 287 are free to obey the rider's -vvill, and the upper part of the body re- tains its balance by accommodating itself instinctively to every movement. If the upper part of the body be kept rigid, its effect will be to remove the hips from their place in the saddle. If, on the other hand, it be flexible, it will yield and sway with every move- ment, and will be left free to obey the motions of the saddle. In Tommy's act of throwing the boys, described in another chapter, whenever a boy or young man would sit in the saddle rigidly, with a firm grasp of the mane, no matter how strong or sup- FiG. -353. — An Insecure Position. pie he might be, the pony would throw him with great ease, and with the force of a bullet, from his back ; but when a young man came in who would sit and balance himself on the pony's back as if with the greatest carelessness, harmonizing the motions of his body freely with those of the pony in the attempt to throw him, it would frequently require the greatest effort to dislodge the rider. ' The position assumed in the saddle should be with the weight of the body supported directly under the hips, the spine curved in- ward, and the head and chest thrown backward. We give two illus- trations from Leach, showing the insecure and the secure positions in riding. The rider in the first illustration exhibits the greatest cau- tion and timidity, with his body bent forward, and his whole at- "2SS £<,iL'£:STA'IAXIS.U. titude one of rigiditj-. The second illustrates the freedom with which the body may be managed when the seat is secure. When a landsman first goes to sea, he finds it extremely difficult to adapt himself to the motions of the vessel, stumbling and falling like a child learning to walk ; but with practice he soon gets what is termed his " sea legs." The principle is the same in learning to ad- just one's self to the motions of the horse in riding. The learner should make no attempt to guide or manage his horse, nor even trouble himself how to mount and dismount. Lot t' "'^■M '' 1^-H ■,~i4M Fig. 354. — A Secure Seat. him get into the saddle, turn his toes inward, press his knees against the saddle, but not his calves, bringing the flat of the thighs in the largest contact with it. Curve the spine inward, and throw the shoulders back. Let the arms hang listlessly by the side. Holding mainly by the knees, shift the seat from side to side and from front to rear, with as little swaying as possible of the upper part of the body. Continue this practice, no matter how long it takes, until the seat is firm, and the learner can move in any direc- tion while keeping the spine curved inward. When the rider has PRACTICAL JinVTS. 2S9 accustomed himself to the slow motion of a walk, let the speed be increased, until finally the horse is galloped with a long bridle-rein, under all his motions, and the rider feels comfortable and easy, and has learned to depend only on his thighs and the flexibility of the body to maintain his position. Having perfectly accustomed himself to the seat, the pupil may now put his feet into the stirrups, and learn their use. They should be used as a matter of comfort and convenience, as it is fatiguing to ride with the legs dangling at the horse's side. In walking, a gentle Fig. 3.5.5. — Ideal Points of a Good Riding Horse. support of the stirrups keeps the body from swajing from side to side as the horse moves. In trotting, — when stirrups are almost in- dispensable, — they permit the horseman to either " rise to the trot," or to distribute the shock in "riding hard" between the feet, the seat, and the thighs, so that it is no longer a shock, but becomes a quick, easy movement. The stirrup-leathers should be so adjusted that the iron will just touch the bottom of the feet, giving them sup- port without raising their position, while the inner part of the thighs, as far down as the knees, are pressing firmly and immovably against the saddle, and the legs below the knees hanging vertically. In ordinary riding it is best to have the ball of the foot touch 19 a 290 EQ UE STRIA NISM. the stirrups, as the play of the ankle-joint gives more elasticity to the support. But in galloping or leaping it is best to " drive the feet home," and carry the stirrups in the hollow of the foot. We consider the wooden stirrup in common use in this country to be the safest and best. The main office of the stirrups is to rest the legs, while at the same time they assist in maintaining a proper position. But in case of any sudden start, the knees and thighs should be at once perform- ing their duty of grasping the saddle. They cannot do this if the Fig. 856.— a Good Model of Riding Horse. weight is thrown too much upon the feet. It is also important to learn how to stand in the stirrups while the horse is in motion, turn- ing so as to look to the rear, to throw the weight first on one foot and then on the other, and to assume every possible position rapidly and easily ; for all this adds to security, freedom, and grace in the seat. The following is the correct manner of mounting by the aid of the stirrups : First take the reins in your left hand just over the horse's withers. Stand with your right side to the horse, not too PRACTICAL HINTS. 291 Position in Mounting. near, and put the left foot in the stirrup. Grasp the horse's mane with the rein hand, the pommel of the saddle with the other, give a spring with the right foot, and vault into the saddle, throwing the leg back and over the horse. Now rest the balls of the feet in the stirrup, and close the knees against the horse to keep a firm seat while trotting fast. It is impossible to ride really well on an average horse without a curb bit ; but it is impossible to ride well on any horse unless the curb bit is properly made and adjusted. And no one can either ride with pleasure or become really a good horseman on a horse that is in constant pain from an ill-fitting bit. The beginner should use the reins of the snaffle only, grasping a rein in each hand at a length that will give him command of the horse. The proper manner of holding the reins, is, however, in the left hand, the curb reins divided by the little finger, the snaffle reins divided by the middle finger, the ends of both sets carried up through the hand and secured by the thumb, which should be uppermost, and pointed to the ears of the horse. By bending the wrist to the right, so that the knuckles come uppermost, the horse is turned to the right. By bend- ing the wrist to the left, so that the fingef-nails come up- permost, the horse will be turned to the left. There should never be tension on the two bits at the same time. The horse should be ridden upon the curb ; the snaffle should be used to fix the hight of the head, and occasionally to take the place of the curb to freshen the mouth. Particular attention should be given to having the saddle adapted to the size of the person who is to use it. If it is too large Fig. 358.— Army Bit. Fig. 359.— Ordinary Bit. 292 EQUESTRIANISM. Fig. 360.— Holding the Reins. for the rider, it will not only give him discomfort, but will increase the difficulty of acquiring a seat. Invalids, or those not accustomed to horseback-riding, should select a horse that is gentle and fearless, easily managed, sure-footed, and elastic in action. A riding-horse should not be used in harness, as this soon destroys the elasticity and smoothness of action necessary for easy riding. If the horse is at all vicious and unmanageable, he should be subjected to such treat- ment (as explained under that head) as will insure his entire docility and easy management. This is particu- larly necessary before attempting to ride him in the street. ]\Iuch of the foregoing instruction will apply to ladies learning to ride horseback. The lady should so sit upon the horse that her weight will fall perpendicularly to the back of the horse, her face directly to the front, her shoulders drawn back, and her elbows held to her sides. She will permit her body, from her hips upward, to bend with the motions of the horse, in order that she may preserve her balance. The right knee will hold the upright horn close in the bend of the knee. The left foot will be thrust into the stirrup to the ball of the foot, and the heel will, as a rule, be carried down. But "when the heel is elevated, the upper part of the left knee should find sup- port in the side horn, and for that end the stirrup-leather should be given such a length as will permit this. A lady should never be mounted on a weak or stumbling horse. The reins are to be held in the left hand, as already described, and in a line with the elbow. The whip should be carried in the right hand, with the point toward the ground. It takes the place of the right leg of the man, and the horse should be trained to answer Fig. 361. — Ordinary Side-saddle. PRACTICAL HINTS. 293 to its application in exactly the same way as to the pressure of the man's leg. The horse should never be struck with the whip upon the head, neck, or shoulders, as such whipping will render him nerv- ous, and may cause him to swerve. It does not come within the limits of an abbreviated article of this character to give the details for the training of a horse to the different gaits and tricks of which he is capable under the sad- dle, as there are a great variety of works im- parting this knowledge in full, which are easily accessible by those who desire it. With these suggestions, and sufficient practice, any one may enjoy this, the best of all modes of exercise. If people would gen- erally adopt horse- back-riding, they would starve out half our doctors, and would live in the enjoyment of much better health than they now do. I will give here one of the many cases of restoration to health from this exercise that have come under my notice : A lady (whose name T will omit) came into my riding-park in a hack from her home about a mile distant. I arranged a stand so that she could step upon it, and sit down in the saddle without any effort. I led the horse around at a walking pace for about twenty minutes, when she dismounted, quite exhausted, and was taken home. The next day she came again in the carriage, and took another short lesson, and so continued to do three or four times a week for about four months. During this time she gained in strength to such an extent that at the expiration of the time she rode by car to Boston, a distance of twenty-five miles, did some shopping, thence to Cam- bridge to dine with her mother, and then returned home and rode ten miles on horseback. At the end of her ride she said to me : Fig. 362. — Position in (he Saddle. 294 EQUESTRIAXrSM. "I feel no more fatigued than I did this morning when I started for Boston." This is only one of the many cases that have come under my observation of regaining health from this exercise. Let every one have good practical training if possible, but get the exercise at all events, if you cannot have the training. In corroboration of what Mr. Robinson says on the beneficial effects of horseback-riding, I copy the following paragraphs from a Fig. 36o. a Good Position. valuable little work on " Horseback-Riding from a IMedical Stand- point," by Dr. Durant, of New York : — - Horseback-riding, as we have seen, is one of the most energetic modifiers of the circulation ; it distributes the blood equally to every part of the capillary net-work giving to each part its due proportion, by maintaining a due tension in every part by equalizing the temperature ; it prevents equally anjemia and hypersemia, and san guineous stagnation, by the impulsion which it gives to the circulatorj' phenomena and aids nutrition by the acceleration of the respiratory and digestive phenomena, It is \i\ its effect upon the reactions of the blood to the nervous system that horse back-riding produces such a happy influence. The effect of horseback-riding upon the functions of the system is especially re- markable upon that of digestion. It stimulates the appetite, excites and perfects di- PRACTICAL UIXTS. 295 gestion, favors absorption — in fact, to use a trivial expression, "It makes the bits go down." These are not the only results of the new energy imparted to the func- tions which we have studied, all of which concur in the accomplishment of this spe- cial one ; it exercises a special influence upon the muscular fiber of the coats of the stomach and the intestines. These viscera may be considered as fairly suspended in the abdominal cavity, where they are barely held and limited in their movements by the folds of the peritoneum. Each shock from the horse shakes them and makes them roll, as it were, upon each other, and causes the changes in the relations of the convolutions of the intestines. These shocks and knocks and rub- bings act as a mechanical excitant upon the muscular fiber, which in consequence contracts with more energj-, preserving, however, the peculiar character of the fiber- cells ; that is, of contracting slowly and successively, the action of the fiber being in- creased and the peristaltic contractions acquiring more power, there results from it a more intimate mixture of the juices and aliments in the stomach, a more perfect chjrmification of the food, and a more prompt and complete absorption of matters al- ready digested ; and, lastly, aU those which have as yet escaped the process are brought into the portions of the intestines where their metamorphosis is effected. Fig. 364. — An Ideal ot the Family Horse. Chapter XYI. BREEDING. ONE of the primary points of success in any enterprise is to start right, and in no respect is this more true than in the breeding of horses. The law of like producing like is inexor- able ; consequently, to raise good horses, good horses must be bred from. Many farmers who are keenly alive to other interests, are Fig. 36.5. — Arabian Mare and Colt. singularly thoughtless and imprudent in this. If a mare is broken down, and unfit for labor, no matter how coarse or badly formed she is, or what the evidence of constitutional unsoundness, she is usu- ally reserved to breed from. On the same principle, no matter how coarse the stallion, if he is fat and sleek, and if his use can be obtained cheap, he is selected (296) SELECTIOy OF STALLIOX. 29T for the same purpose. The most ignorant farmer is particular to select the largest and soundest potatoes, the best quality of oats, wheat, etc., for seed, because he has learned that this is true econ- omy ; yet there is the utmost disregard of this law of prudence in the breeding of horses and farm-stock in general. This sort of economy is like paying a quarter for a chicken and giving a dollar to get it carried home. It costs just as much to raise a poor, coarse-blooded colt, as a fine-blooded one. The cost of feeding and care is really the same, the only difference being in the use of the horse. The first will possibly sell, when five years old and trained to harness, for from a hundred to a hundred and fifty dollars. The other is worth from two hundred to a thousand, and possibly more. The first will scarcely sell for the cost of feeding and care. The second insures a large profit, and this for a little additional first cost. The fact is, breeding from poor, unsound horses is so much a detriment, that it would be a damage to any one to be compelled to breed from such stock, if given for the purpose. In Russia, Prussia, and Austria, the breeding of horses is con- trolled by the government, each one having large breeding estab- lishments, where those wishing, can procure sound stallions, devoid of all hereditary diseases. Each stallion is furnished with a certifi- cate from the government. Xo other stallions are allowed to serve mares, under a penalty. The result is that you will scarcely find an unsound horse, except from accidents, etc. Hereditary diseases, such as ophthalmia, roaring, rupture, spavin, ringbone, curby hock, spongj' feet, etc., are scarcely known. It would be a source of un- doubted economy and benefit to the breeders, if the legislature of each State would enact such laws, by appointing competent inspec- tors to grant licenses to those free from blemish or hereditary dis- eases or unsoundness. A few years' breeding, under such restrictions, would materially increase the value of horses in each State, and thus be a real bless- mg to owners and the country. In selecting a stallion, first look carefully at his head. The nos- trils should be large and well defined ; eyes full, bright, and clear, and good breadth between them ; the ears lively, rather short and tapering, and the head high between the ears. Next, see that the throat shows no enlargement of the glands, indicating a tendency toward a whistler or roarer. The shoulder should be oblique, strong, and high, the fore leg not tied in under the knee, for such are liable to spring. 298 BREEDING. The feet should be of good size, and of sufficient depth to give strength to the quarters. Spongy and flat feet should be rejected. The loin should be strong, the back well coupled, quarters broad from point to point of hips, and running nearly straight out to the root of the tail. The stifle should stand low and well out ; hocks strong and broad ; no puffs or windgalls, as these indicate weak- ness. As a colt from such a horse may at an early age show indica- tions of blood spavin and thoroughpin, look at the inside of the hock for an enlargement at the point of what is called a jack spavin or curb. Next, see that there is no enlargement at the edge of the hoof, known as ringbone. Weak eyes, blindness, poll-evil, fistula of withers, or in fact any unsoundness, should be sufficient cause for rejecting a stallion. I need not enlarge upon the fact that the mare should be selected with the same care. The reader will be aided in the study of disposition, bodily form, and the general characteristics of good and bad animals, by reference to the illustrations already given, and especially those in the following chapter. These will enable the mind to grasp these points better than it would be possible to do by the most extended verbal descriptions. The following from a leading writer on selection is so much to the point that I cannot do better than to copy it : — To be successful in breeding, special attention should be given to the particular variety of horse required. If heavy draught horses, or even trotting roadsters, or ponies, are required, both the sire and the dam should be selected with special reference to these points. Desired effects can in a great measure be produced by proper crossings. If the mare is light-boned, or defective in this or in any other respect, select a horse that possesses the contrast of greater strength. But to insure certainty of what is wanted, the mare and horse should be as near the type of what is desired as pos- sible, though not related. Disposition should be an important con- sideration, as its inheritance will be as certain as that of physical qualities. Care of the Mare. The mare is said to be with foal eleven months, or three hun- dred days ; but it is not uncommon for mares to have fully devel- oped foals in much less time, and in many instances mares have been known to go four or five weeks beyond this time. Time should be so arranged in putting mares, that the colts will come at a time CARE OF THE MAEE. 299 when there is some grass, as the mare will do better not to be con- fined to dry feed. The virgin mare, or one that has not had a colt for one season, must be put when she is found in season. The mare that has had a colt will be found in season, and should be put on the eighth or ninth day after foaling ; some prefer the eighth, others the eleventh. Good judges claim that it is dangerous to go beyond the tenth, as the mare is apt to come off her heat soon after, and if allowed to go to a later period, the sucking of the colt is likely to reduce the mare too much to allow conception to take place, and thus a year's service of the breeder is lost. After putting a mare, the days for trial are the ninth after serv- ice, the seventh after this, the fifth after this again. Some commence again, commencing with the ninth day, and follow up as before, making forty-two days. Twenty-one days being the period elaps- ing between a mare's going out of heat, and coming in again, mak- ing her periodical term thirty days. Twenty-one days is claimed to be sufficient to prove a mare. Reference is made elsewhere in this work to the importance of protecting the breeding mare from excitement, abuse, etc. Especial care should be exercised in this matter, as fright, exposure to bad weather, improper feeding, or any influence that would seriously disturb the normal condition of the nervous system, will have its certain effect upon the colt, often to the great loss of the owner. The mare and colt should be well fed, and protected from storms. The theory of working a mare hard, and half starving the colt, is the poorest kind of economy, since the mare needs generous feed and rest, to renew her strength and make her milk, by which of course the colt is nourished and made to grow. When size and strength will indicate that it is time to wean, which is usually in five or six months, put the colt in a quiet pasture, away from the mare, where it should be closely looked after. A little oats (better if bruised) should be given daily. The conclusion of careful breeders is, that it is much better for a colt to run in pasture than to be confined in a stable. If the colt is intended for farm use, castration may be performed when six months old ; if, however, the withers are light, it should be post- poned until the head and neck fill up to the degree required, and this may require from one to two years, or even more. If the head is large and heavy, early castration is advisable. Colts should be generously fed, and protected from the inclemency of the weather in winter. They should be treated gently ; may be broken early to 300 BREEDING. harness, if treated gently and with care. This, however, is hazard- ous, as there is danger of over-driving young colts if they are driven at all. Many seem to take pride in trials to which they subject two or three-year-old colts. It is not what they can do, but what they ought to be required to do. Fw. 36G.— An Arabian Horse. Chapter XYIL ^ STABLING. THE stable should be built on a dry, airy location, facing the south when possible. It should be warm, well ventilated and lighted, and so constructed as to prevent the exposure of the horse to sudden changes of temperature. The stall should be suffi- FiG. ;!GT. — As a Horse Usually Stands while Resting in a Field. ciently large to allow the horse to turn around or lie down, with con- veniences for feeding. The width should not be less than six feet, but when practicable it would be better to allow each horse ten or twelve feet, to admit of a reasonable degree of exercise. This is not merely a great convenience to the horse, but it has considerable in- fluence in preventing swelled legs, getting cast, etc. It is also im- portant in that it permits a safer approach to a doubtful or vicious horse. It is the common custom to make the floor inclining back- ward, but this practice is unnatural, as shown by the fact that the horse, when left to choose his own position in a field, will almost in- variably stand with his fore feet the lowest. (See illustration.) The floor should be level ; and to permit this, and at the same (301) 302 STABLING. time keep it dry, it should be constructed as follows : Incline the floor backward about two inches, making it water-tight, with an opening or drain at the back end for the water to pass off. Arrange upon this an extra floor of slats about an inch to an inch and\ quarter thick, and five eighths to three fourths of an inch apart- The back ends should be two inches thicker than the front, to com- pensate for the slope of the floor underneath, and thus give a level surface for the animal to stand upon, while the water can pass be- tween the slats and drain off. This upper floor should be made in two parts, so as to open from the center upward, and stand upon edge while the lower floor is washed or cleansed as desired. This is the method of construction in one of the most perfect stables in the country, to an examina- tion of which the author is indebted for the idea. The door should be large, with an extra one of slats, which can be used during warm weather ex- clusively for light and ventilation. It would also be well to hi.ve screens or mosquito -netting over the door and windows, to protect the horse from flies, — a great annoyance to sensitive animals. One of the most serious objections to stables as they are usually constructed throughout the country, is the lack of proper ventilation. Usually they are nothing but close boxes, and entirely too small for the number of horses kept in them. The doors and windows are closed, and the bedding, saturated with ammonia, is tucked away under the manger. If there is an upper flooring, it is made the re- ceptacle for hay, so that it not only obstructs any possible ventila- tion through the stable, but by becoming impregnated with the poisoned air below, it is rendered unfit for food. Any one going into such a stable, especially during warm weather, will have the eyes immediately affected by the escape of ammonia, which, with the contamination of the air, caused by being breathed over and over, makes it even sickening to breathe any length of time. It is evident that to supply the weaf and tear of bodily struct- ure, the food must not only be good, but of sufficient quantity to Fig. 368.— The Accepted Method in General Use. SERIOUS OBJECTIONS. 303 supply nourishment to the body. Now, a horse can live days, and even weeks, without food, while he cannot live five minutes without air. It is needless to enter into details as to the quantity of air a horse breathes in any given time, as every intelligent reader has a good idea of this ; but the fact that a horse will quickly die when deprived of air is not so forcibly impressed upon the mind. Now, it is evident that if the blood is not oxygenated by means of pure air passing to the lungs, the system will soon be poisoned ; thus it is seen how necessary it is that there should be plenty of air in the stable, and as pure and free from contamination as possible. If it becomes impure in consequence of there being too many horses in the stable, and also loaded with ammonia from the bedding, it can- not properly purify the blood or carry away i, ,, through the proper chan- nels the broken-down, worn-out particles of mat- ter, and thus permit a proper nutrition of the body. Instead of this, all the various conditions of disease are engendered. This is particularly notice- able as the source of oph- thalmia, grease, glandular swellings, etc. Now, if pure air were obtained only at a great expense, it might be a reasonable excuse for not furnishing it in necessary abundance ; but the fact that it is obtainable in all cases with a very little trouble and care, renders this neglect little less than a crime, for which there should be no excuse or apology. An abundance of ventilation in stables may be supplied in vari- ous ways, but the simplest and best is substantially as follows : A chimney or opening through the ceiling may be made in the form of a dome or cupola. The top should be roofed over, and have lateral openifigs by means of weather-boards. The most convenient or comfortable stable the writer has ever seen had such a ventilator, which was so regulated that it could be partly or wholly closed, as desired. This was accomplished by means of two cords attached to opposite edges of a revolving door, and adjusted in the lower part Fig. 309 • -Objectionable Method of Tying. 304 STABLING. of this opening or chimney. Another special convenience was a contrivance for obtaining and measuring grain to be fed, which was so ingenious that I give a description of it : The grain was con- ducted from the loft to the feeding-floor by a spout in which were two slides. Pulling out one of these slides a few inches permitted the escape of two quarts, and the other one of four quarts, of grain, which was deposited in a drawer beneath. In the bottom of the drawer was a screw, with a handle projecting from the side of the spout. Moving this handle right and left a few times shook the bottom like a sieve, and thus removed all the dust and dirt, leaving the grain clean, fresh, and ready for use. I have found two features about the stables as usually con- structed through the countr)-, which are so faulty that I would urge the necessity of having them corrected. First, in the construction of man- gers and racks. The man- ger, an open trpugh, is usually so high that a lw^ ■^ap^'^'Sa^^aKa^E^" horse of medium hight . P , ■ "? " jj) ^ ^^^^^SKirS <^''" barely reach over and put his nose to the bot- tom. Extending over this manger is a rack so high that the horse can scarce- ly reach the hay from it. There is usually more hay packed into this than the liorsc can eat at one time, so it is suffered to remain there until it becomes stale and sour from the horse's breathing upon it, and the exhalations from the bedding, which is usually packed during the day under the manger. When the horse reaches for the hay, the dust and dirt which have accumulated are thrown over his head and eyes. In the first place, the horse does not like to eat such trash ; second, it is difficult for him to reach it ; third, he is liable to be annoyed, if not injured, by the hay and dirt filtering into his •eyes and mane. The nearer the horse is made to feed in the stall as he does in the field, the better. But if compelled to eat grain from the ground, there would be waste. To avoid this, a receptacle must be provided in a corner about on a level with the shoulder, from which to eat grain ; but the hay should be measured and put in a corner on the Fig. 370.— Rack too High. I'llOl'ER STYLE OF RACK. 305 ground, where it can be easily reached. If there is not too much given, the horse will eat it clean. The importance of this is now so well understood that all first- class horses are fed in this way. For the ordinary work horse, or for country stables, a simple low rack or manger, one side made into a box or receptacle for the grain, and the other part for hay, is all that is necessary. If two horses are kept together, the stall should be about twelve feet wide, with grain-boxes at the right and left, and the manger for hay in the center. Horses accustomed to work- ing together will always agree when kept in the same stall, especially when they have separate mangers, and are prevented by their halters from interfering with each other's grain. The Fig. 'i~i\. — The Accepted Form of Single Stalls. mangers and racks should be on a level, and about three feet and four inches from the ground. The manger should not be less than sixteen or eighteen inches deep ; eighteen inches from front to back, and twenty or twenty-two inches in length. For one horse, the rack should be about four feet in length. The advantage of such a manger and rack is, that all the hay that is put into it will be eaten clean. There will be less danger than by the common high rack of putting more hay before the horse than he will eat at the time, and thus his mussing and spoiling it will be prevented. It will entirely obviate the objection of dust and seeds falling upon his head and into his eyes, or of pulling the hay out and wasting it under his feet. Some horses are inclined to throw their hay out with their 20 a 306 STABLING. noses. This can be effectually prevented by nailing two or three bars across the upper part of the crib from the back to the front. The hitching ring should be on the off or farther side, to prevent the strap from being caught by the foot. If the horse is a greedy eater, and disposed to throw the grain out of the box, it can be prevented by putting a few round cobbles in the bottom, thus compelling him to take his grain slowly. The division between the stalls should al- ways be high enough to prevent the horses from interfering with each other. If windows are near, they should be so high as to pre- vent any current of air from striking directly. Chapter XYIII, FEEDING AND WATERING.* HAY, corn-fodder, oats, and corn constitute the principal food of horses in this country ; hay and oats in the Northern States, fodder and corn in the South. The food should be of the quality and quantity to impart strength, vitality, and elasticity ; and this requires some discrimination and care, as the food should be harmonized both to the condition of the horse and the severity of the labor to which he is subjected. As a rule, the stomach should not be distended with food when prolonged, energetic effort is re- quired. This is to be especially guarded against in the feeding of hay. Greedy eaters can and often will eat so much hay as to unfit themselves for active labor, and it usually results in heaves or broken wind. Heaves are always found in the teamsters' or carters' stables where there is no care in feeding. This disease is never found among racing horses, from the fact that the utmost care is used in selecting the food and feeding in small quantities, or in adapting it more perfectly to the wants of the system. It has been demonstrated beyond doubt that the reason horses improve so much in wind by eating prairie hay is, that it is so coarse that they cannot eat it fast enough to overload the stomach. The quantity of hay should be carefully regulated, and never as much given as the horse will eat if at all voracious. The majority of owners pack a large rack full, either allowing liberty to eat too much, or making it unpalatable and unhealthful by being breathed upon. From eight to ten pounds is about the average quantity for an or- dinary roadster, to be allowed in twenty-four hours, more or less, according to the size, the kind of work, and the quantity of grain given. Dusty or moldy hay should never be fed, as it is liable to produce various forms of disease. The food should be clean, and perfect in quality. Hay is most perfect when it is about a year old. Horses would perhaps prefer it earlier, but it is neither so wholesome nor so nutritious, and may * The main points of tliis paper were dictated bj Dr. Siimincrville, of Buffalo, N. Y., to tlie writer while studying with Um. ^ f307) 308 FEEDING AND WATERIXG. cause purging. When it is a year old, it should retain much of its green color and agreeable smell.* Blades of corn pulled and cured in the summer are unquestionably much better than hay. I should certainly prefer this kind of fodder to any kind of hay, for fine horses. It is strange that it is not prized more highly in the North. Oats make more muscle than corn ; corn makes fat and warmth. Hence, the colder the weather, the more corn may be given, and the harder the work, the more oats. Oats should be a year old, heavy, dry, and sweet. New oats will weigh from ten to fifteen per cent more than old ones ; but the difference is princi- pally water. New oats are said to be more difficult to digest, and when eaten in considerable quantity are apt to cause flatulency or colic, and derangement of the stomach or bowels. The same may be said of corn. If not sound and dry, it may be regarded even much more dangerous than oats, and should not be fed. Doing so will be at the hazard of the consequences above mentioned. The quantity of oats given daily may vary from eight to six- teen quarts. If the horse is large, and the work is severe, a little more may be given. Corn should be fed in the ear, and like oats must be regulated in quantity to the size and labor of the animal ; from five to twelve good-sized ears are a feed. I give a larger pro- portion of feed at night, and less in the morning and at noon. There is ample time for digestion during the night. There is not during the day, if the labor is severe. Experience proves that some mildly cooling laxative food should be occasionally given. A bran mash, made by pouring boiling water on eight or ten quarts of wheat bran, covered over until cool and fed at night, from one to three times a week, is the finest and best. Carrots are a good laxative and alterative before frost, but are too cold and constipating during cold weather. They may be fed in October, November, and December, but in the Northern States not later. I feed Irish potatoes, from one to three quarts, with the usual quantity of grain, from two to three or four times a week, and would recommend their use. Feeding a small quantity of roots and giving bran mashes keep the bowels open and the system in a healthy condition. Without them constipation is probable, and this is one of the primary causes of diarrhea, colic, or inflammation of the bow- * In packing or stacking hay, salt should be slightly sprinkled through it so as to destroy in- sects. It also aids in preserving it bright, and makes it more palatable and healthful for the horse. COOKING THE FOOD. 309 els. If it is desired to make a horse fat in a short time, feed corn- meal and shorts, with cut straw, to which add a pint of cheap mo- lasses. Nothing like this for recruiting and filling up a horse that is out of sorts or poor. If the horse is exhausted, or when sufficient time cannot be allowed for him to eat and partially digest a full meal, he may be greatly refreshed by a draught of warm gruel, or, in summer, of cold water containing a small quantity of meal. Cooking the Food. My attention was some time ago called to the advantage of cooking feed for horses. Those who have given the most careful study to the principles and best methods of alimentation, state, first, that well-crushed grain is not only more readily masticated, but more easily digested ; second, that cooking the feed enables the ani- mal to assimilate a far larger percentage of the nutrition than from the same amount of grain fed in its raw state. The amount of grain is claimed to be from 20 to 30 per cent. According to report, the Germans have long used cooked feed for their army horses, and found it to excel all other kinds of feed in giving greater strength to the horse, and increasing his power of endurance. It is also claimed by the most successful stock-breeders in England and on the Continent, that horses and cattle thrive better, and are far healthier, when fed on cooked feed than when fed on any kind of raw feed. I copy from a circular published by the Chicago Steam Cooking Feed Company, some of the advantages of cooked feed for horses : — 1. Many horses are so voracious and eat so rapidly, that they do not properly masticate their feed, and, in other cases, the grain is too hard to be properly masti- cated. 3. It is estimated that more than one half of the diseases which afflict horses, are induced by the use of uncoolsed feed, and its bad effects upon the digestive ap- paratus. 3. The hard, flinty covering of raw grain can neither be properly ground by the teeth, nor is it soluble in the stomach, and most of it passes from the stomach un- digested. 4. All energy expended in attempts to assimilate certain parts of raw feed, is just so much waste and positive loss. Among the advantages of using properly cooked feed for do- mestic animals are the following: — 1. Cooked and ground feed is much more palatable for the animal, and is very easily masticated. 2. The hard, dry covering of grain, when it has been steamed and ground, be- 310 FEEDIXG AXD WATEKIXG. comes as nutritious as any part of the grain, and adds just so much to its food prop- erties. 3. The entire grain is digested and no portion of it wasted ; nor is there any loss in the efforts of the stomach to do the work of the cooli and the grist-mill. 4. The loss in feeding raw grain is changed to gain in the cooked feed, a smaller quantity of the cooked grain giving a larger proportion of animal strength. 5. The primary cause of much illness and derangement of diggstion in ani- mals is removed by the use of properly cooked feed. It seems to the writer that cooked feed is especially important to horses having weak digestion, and for old, enfeebled horses. When a horse is " off his feed," by overeating or want of proper exercise, the better way is to reduce his usual quantity of grain one half for three or four days or a week, when he will eat again as well as ever. I here give Mr. Bonner's system of feeding : — In the morning, at five o'clock in summer and six o'clock in winter, each horse is given two quarts of oats. At nine o'clock two quarts more are given, and the same quantity is given again at one o'clock. Before feeding, each horse is given all the water he will take, unless he is to be driven, in which case the allowance is cut short a little. At five o'clock in the afternoon the allowance of hay is given, usually about ten pounds to each horse : and none is given at anj' other time during the twenty-four hours. At nine in the evening each horse is given a warm supper, prepared as follows : For ten horses twenty quarts of oats are put into a large ket- tle and boiled, after which is added about the same quantity of wheat bran by meas- urement, with the proportion of a teaspoonful of salt to each horse. The whole is thoroughly mixed, and, when sufficiently cool, each is given his share. If not driven, each horse is walked from half an hour to an hour daily, and the greatest care is taken not to expose them needlessly for a moment without blankets. The following is the routine pursued with Dexter : — At six every morning, Dexter has all the water he wants, and two quarts of oats. After eating, he is " walked " for half an hour or more, then cleaned off, and at nine has two quarts more of oats. If no drive is on the card for afternoon, he is given a half to three quarters of an hour of gentle e.xercise. At one o'clock he has his oats again, as before, limited to two quarts. From three to four he is driven from twelve to fifteen miles ; after which he is cleaned off and rubbed thoroughly dry. He has a bare swallow of water, on returning from the drive, but is allowed free access to his only feed of hay, of which he con- sumes from five to six pounds. If the drive has been a particularly sharp one, he is treated, as soon as he gets in, to a quart of oatmeal gruel ; and when thor- oughly cool, has half a pail of water and three quarts of oats, with two quarts of bran moistened with hot water. WATERING. 311 Before any specially hard day's work or trial of his speed, his al- lowance of water is still more reduced. It is a very bad practice, and one that should never on any con- dition be permitted, for grooms or teamsters to give any kind of medicine, either for tonic or diuretic purposes. Many a fine horse is completely ruined by ignorant grooms and owners, who think they can help nature by giving niter and other strong medicines, that are never admissible except in certain emergencies, and then should be given only very cautiously. I am satisfied that many veterinary practitioners give not only too much but too strong medicine, which, though of apparent ad- vantage for the present, must ultimately result in serious harm to the health of the horse. Clean, good feed properly prepared, and given in quantities according to the needs of the animal, is safer and better than to be giving medicine for every little change of condi- tion. If the horse is out of sorts, overfed in proportion to his work, becomes dainty, or the depurative processes are obstructed by the feeding of too much or of too highly concentrated feed, let up on the grain, and feed more bran mashes or green food. Old horses that are not feeding well, or are running down with- out apparent cause, should have the teeth carefully examined (see article on the " The Teeth "), as sometimes the horse cannot grind his feed. The simplest way of making an examination, is to catch the tongue, and, with the hand closed, let its under part rest upon the lower jaw, with the end of the thumb forced upward against the roof of the mouth. (See illustration of giving ball.) This will com- pel the horse to keep his mouth open, so as to enable looking into it or passing the hand far enough back to examine the teeth. If they are found to be the cause of the trouble, they should be filed down, as directed under that head. Watering. If a large quantity of cold water is taken into the stomach while the system is agitated, by the circulation being so increased as to open the pores of the skin freely, it is liable to chill the stomach and close the pores of the skin, and thus excite some one of the com- mon alimentary derangements, as colic or inflammation of the bow- els, etc. Hard water, especially cold well water, is more liable to cause mischief in this way than soft water. Hard water will affect some horses so much as to almost immediately cause the hair to look rough or staring, and derange the appetite. Horses that are raised 312 FEEDING AND WATERING. and worked in a country where the water is strongly impregnated with lime, are troubled with intestinal calculi ; i. e., stone in the bladder. Hence soft water should be given, if convenient ; but if well-water be given, especially during warm weather, it should either- have the chill taken off or be given very sparingly. The best time to water a horse is about half an hour before feeding. While driving, the rule should be, little and often. None, or only a swallow or two, should be given at the close of a drive, until cool. If very warm, the horse should be walked moderately where there is not a current of air to strike him, from ten to thirty minutes. If any danger is then apprehended, the chill should be taken off the water if very cold, and given sparingly, or only a few swallows at a time. The common custom is to give about a half bucketful. The safer course would be to give less and repeat. The rule for ordinary use should be, to give a small quantity often during the day, and let the animal pursue his journey or labor immediately after. If allowed to stand, the system is liable to be chilled, and the absorbents closed, which is the common cause of laminitis or founder, although this disease may not develop itself until twelve or twenty-four hours afterward. Any cause which will chill the horse — either cold winds or cold water — will be almost sure to produce this disease. Chapter XIX. HOW TO TELL THE AGE. IT is sometimes very important to be able to determine the ag^of a horse ; and as this is indicated most surely by the teeth, I have nad made, under my special supervision, a large proportion of the illustrations here given, which will be found the fullest and most Fig. 373.— The Teeth. complete published in this country. I encountered very serious dif- ficulties in obtaining these illustrations, as I found it next to impos- sible to give the artist an idea of the changes occurring in the teeth and form of the jaw with age, but they are as accurate as I could se- cure. I have tried also to make the description so simple as to enable any ordinary person to determine the age of horses with considerable accuracy, or so nearly as to prevent being seriously imposed upon. In doing this, I have not hesitated to appropriate the language o others when adapted to my purpose. At first the jaw is small, and to accommodate the position, temporary, or what is termed milk teeth, are grown ; these are succeeded by permanent teeth, as the jaws become larger and stronger. As the front teeth, or nippers, only are usually studied to note the changes which determine the (313) Fig. 373.— One Week Old. Fig. 374.— Six Weeks. 314 HOW TO TELL THE AGE. Fio. 37.";.— One Year Old. age of a horse up to eight years, I will try to give such an explana- tion of them as will serve to aid the general reader in catching the points of these changes most clearly. When the colt is one week old, the two central nippers are grown about as represented in Fig. 373. In from five to six weeks, another incisor will appear on either side of the two first, and the mouth will appear something like Fig. 37-1. At two months they will have reached their natural level, and between the second and third months the second pair will have overtaken them. They will then begin to wear away a little, and the outer edge, which was at first somewhat raised and sharp, is brought to a level with the inner one ■ and so the mouth continues until some time between the sixth and ninth months, when another nipper begins to appear on each side of the two first, making six above and below, and completing the colt's mouth ; after which the only ob- servable difference, until between the sec- ond and third years, is in the wear of these teeth. The teeth are covered with a polished, hard substance, called enamel. It spreads over that portion of the teeth which ap- pears above the gum ; and not only so, but as they are to be so much employed in nipping the grass, and gathering up the animal's food (and in such employment even this hard substance must be gradually worn away), a portion of it, as it passes over the upper surface of the teeth, is bent in- ward and sunk into the body of the teeth, and forms a little pit in them. The inside and bottom of this pit being blackened by the food, constitutes the mark of the teeth, by the gradual disappearance of which, in consequence of the wearing down of the edges, we are enabled for several years to determine the age of the horse. The colt's nipping-teeth are rounded in front, somewhat hollow toward the mouth, and present at first a cutting surface, with the -Twenty Months. I/OW TO TELL THE AGE. 315 Fig. 378.— From Two and One Half to Three Years. outer edge rising in a slanting direction above the inner edge. This, however, soon begins to wear down, until both surfaces are level, and the ?nark, which was originally long and narrow, becomes shorter, and wider, and fainter. At six months the four nippers are beginning to wear to a level. Fig. 375 will convey a good idea of the appearance of the teeth at twelve months. The four middle teeth are almost level, and the corner ones becoming so. The mark in the two middle teeth is wide and faint ; in the two next teeth it is darker, and longer, and narrower ; and in the corner teeth it is dark- est, and longest, and narrowest. At the age of one year and a half, the mark in the central nippers will be much shorter and fainter ; that in the other two pairs will have undergone considerable change, and all the nippers will be flat. At two years this will be more plainly marked. Fig. 3TT is intended to show the appearance of the mouth at this stage. Fig. 378 is intended to show the appearance of the mouth at two and a half to three years old. The next is intended to show it at three and a half years old. The two central permanent teeth are growing down, and are larger than the others, with two grooves in the outer con- vex surface, and the mark is long, narrow, deep, and black. Not hav- ing yet attained their full growth, they are lower than the others. The mark in- the two next nippers is nearly worn out, and is wearing away in the corner nippers. Between three and a half and four years the central nippers have at- tained to nearly their full growth, and the second pair will have so far displaced the temporary teeth as to appear through the gums, while the corner ones will be diminished in breadth, worn down, and the mark become small and faint. At four years the central nippers will be fully developed ; the I. About Three and One Hall Years. 316 HOW TO TELL THE AGE. sharp edge somewhat worn off, and the mark shorter, wider, and fainter. The next pair will be up, but they will be small, with the mark deep, and extending quite across them. Fig. 380. — At Four lo Four and One Half Years. At four years and a half, or between that and five, the corner nippers are shed, and the perma- nent ones begin to appear, something like Fig. 380 The central nippers are considerably worn, and the next pair are commencing to show the marks of usage. The tush has now protruded, and is fully a half inch in hight ; externally it has a rounded proniinence, with a groove or hollow in the inside. At five years the horse's mouth is almost per- fect. The corner nippers are quite up, with a long, deep, irregular mark on the inside, and the other nippers are showing the effects of increased wear. The tush is much grown, the grooves on the inside have almost or quite disappeared, and the outer surface is regularly convex. It is still as concave within, and the edge nearly as sharp as it was six months before. At six years the mark on the central nippers is worn out. In the next pair the mark is shorter, broader, and fainter ; and in the corner teeth the edges of the enamel are more regular, and the surface is evidently worn. The tush has attained its full growth, being nearly or quite an inch in length ; convex outward, concave within ; tending to a point, and the extremity somewhat curved. The horse may now be said to have a perfect mouth, as all the teeth are produced and fully grown. Fig. 3^2 — About Four Years. WW TO TELL THE AGE. 317 At Five Years At seven years, the mark, in the way in which we have de- scribed it, is worn out in the central nippers, and fast wearing away in the corner teeth ; the tush also is beginning to be altered. It is rounded at the point, rounded at the edges, still round without, and beginning to get round inside. At eight years the tush is rounder in every way ; the mark is gone from all the bottom nip- pers, and it may almost be said to be out of the mouth. There is nothing remaining in the bottom nippers that can afterward clearly show the age of the horse. The upper nippers will give some indi- cations, but nothing certain. After the age of eight years, there are no points that will en- able determining age with any degree of accuracy. A horse that is fed on corn will show an older mouth than one that is fed on oats and sloppy feed. The usual time for determining a horse's age is in May ; but a colt may come any time between then and fall, so that the wearing away of the teeth or disappearing of the marks or cups may in some cases indicate the horse to be older or younger than he really is. These conditions must be taken into con- sideration. At six years the teeth are rather short, flat, or wide, and the gums run across them horizontally, something like Fig. 384. After the eighth year the gums begin to recede from the center, and the teeth become longer in appear- ance. By looking at Fig. 390, showing twelve years, we can see that the gum is receded and run to a sharp point at the center of the teeth. At twenty years, the teeth are considerably narrower and longer, and the gums are drawn back sharper. Fig. 384.— At Six Years. 318 now TO TELL THE AGE. By observing the face of the teeth, there will gradually be seen a change to the triangular form, which can best be seen and de- Fig. 385. — About Seven Years. scribed by Figs. 395, 396. From the age of four- teen, we see this is more noticeable, the middle nippers gradually increasing and extending out to the corner ones, as indicated by Fig. 397. From fifteen to eighteen this triangular form be- comes laterally contracted, so that at about twenty and afterward the teeth become biangular. As before explained, there are great peculiarities in the form of the teeth with advanced age. The most common is shown by Fig. 397. I include a somewhat rare form shown by ex- treme age. (See Fig. 398.) Many curious tricks and methods of telling the horse'.s age after eight years old have been shown the writer at various times, such as wrinkles about the eyes, root of the tail, etc., none of which give the idea so correctly as the genera appearance of the teeth and ab- Fk;. 888.— About Eight Years. sorption of the jaws, Ir young -At Eight now TO TELL THE A horses the edge of the lower jaw is round and full ; as the horse becomes older, this edge becomes sharper and thinner. The most unique trick shown the writer of telling the age was the fol- lowing : — If a gold ring be attached to a hair pulled from the tail or mane of a horse, and suspended directly above his head between his ears, it will oscillate, like a pendulum, just the number of times the horse is years old, then stop and repeat. I have repeatedly made the experiment, and it certainly seemed to repeat the age of the horse ; but I could not fee Fig. 389— About Six Years Old. Fig. 390.— About Twelve Years Old. satisfied that the motion of the ring was not in a great measure controlled by the involuntary move- ment of the hand. The man who gave the idea made the experiment in the presence of the writer, with apparent success. Jockeys frequently re- sort to cutting down the teeth of aged horses, so as to simulate as much as possible the appearance of the mouth at eight or nine years of age. This was formerly done by sawing or filing, but more recently there has been invented, by Dr. Lancer, a leading veterinary surgeon of New Jersey, a very in- genious instrument for chipping off the teeth, so that the front nip- pers can be cut down very quickly and easily by any amateur. But the breadth of the teeth and other changes of form, as explained, will expose the deception ; also the deep hollow and gray hair about the eyes, with the under lip con- FiG. 391.— About Twenty Years Old. 320 HOW TO TELL THE AGE. siderably pendant. This treatment is called " Bishoping," from the name of the man who introduced it in England, and is practiced very largely by jockeys in the larger cities of this country, espe- cially in New York. Fig. 392— About Eleven Years of Age. Fig. 303 —Mouth of the Mare at Thirteen Years. I wish to call attention to the fact that horses, especially those advanced in years, are liable to have the teeth in wearing overlap one an- other, become very rough, and wound the inside of the cheeks ; or the grinders become irregular in length when they do not come opposite each other in shutting, or the teeth become carious and break away when not correspondingly worn with the others, shoot up to a degree to pene- trate the jaw, causing soreness and inflamma- tion, and seriously interfering with eating. The writer saw a very interesting case of this kind at the Columbia Veterinary College, in which the unobstructed tooth had seriously penetrated into the upper jaw. In the endeavor to relieve the pressure of the parts, the animal evidently masticated the food wholly upon the opposite side of the mouth ; in consequence of this the teeth on this side were so worn down that both upper and lower jaws were twisted around more than an inch out of line. Sometimes caries, or ulceration of a tooth, produces such serious disturbance that there may be an enlargement of the parts, growth of fungus, or necrosis of the parts. This, too, is much more com- mon than is suspected. Prof Cressy, of Hartford, called my atten- tion to a case in which a back tooth in the lower jaw became ulcer- FiG. 394— IWouthofthe Mare at Thirteen Years. J/OW TO TELL THE AGE. 321 Fig. 395.— At Fourteen Years Old. ated, causing much enlargement of the jaw. He first removed the tooth, then divided the skin at the lower edge of the jaw, and with a drill made a hole through the bone. Through this hole he put a seton to keep the parts open until a healthy healing process should be produced. A strong preparation of carbolic acid was put upon the seton, and dressed once a day, which finally effected a perfect cure. When the horse, without any apparent cause, is running down, munching, or eating his food but slowly, especially if there is any lateral actionof the jaw, examine the mouth carefully to see whether there is any noticeable cause of trouble in the teeth. If rough and irregular, they should be rasped down. The method of doing this is now so well under- stood as to scarcely need ex- planation. The rasping down of ail ir- regularities should be carefully done, and if there is a decayed tooth it should be removed by a veterinary surgeon who is conversant with the simplest and best method of doing it. There are regular horse-dentistry im- plements in general use for this purpose, which can be easily obtained. If the tooth has grown down below the level of the others, it should be rasped or sawed off to the proper dimensions, and care- fully watched afterward so as to remove any undue growth harmful to the opposite parts. Fig. 39".— From Seventeen to Eigtileen Years. Fig. 396 —At Sixteen Years Old. 322 HOW TO TELL THE AGE. If there is any enlargement of either jaw, more especially of the upper one, with perhaps a running sore offensive to the smell ; and if in addition there is offensive matter running from the nostril on ^hat side, the trouble may be suspected as arising from a carious tooth, and the jaw on that side must be carefully examined. Fig. 398.— Extreme Age. Fig. 399.— Ideal Colt's Mouth. It may be asked, How is it, if the trouble arises from a carious tooth, that the matter comes from the nostrils 1 Answer : By the imprisoned matter forming a sinus into the nasal cavity. The treatment for all such cases is, first, in the removing of the offending cause, namely, the tooth it- self, and also, as far as possible, the dead or diseased parts, and favoring a healthy condition of growth by cleansing out the parts with a strong solution of carbolic acid or chloride of lime,- or any good disinfectant. Next, protect the parts from the lodg- ment of particles of food, by filling with a pledget of tow saturated with the tincture of myrrh, or any good healing astringent, and dress once a day. If there is diseased bone or fungus growth, it should be treated the same as for other difficulties of the same kind.* * Since WTitingthe above, my attention has been called to an article in the Joxirnal of Com- parative Medicine and Surgery^ of April, 1SS3, by Dr. Robert Jennings, of Detroit, Mich., in which he refers to a large number of cases of this description. Fig. 400. — Irregular Growth ot Teeth. CONTRASTS OF CHARACTER. 323 Fig. 401.— a Model Form. ■■•\i-':::\:;?- Fig. 402.— The Famous Eclipse Thoroughbred Racing Stallion. 324 CONTRASTS OF CHARACTER. GOOD POIXTS. 325 Fig. 407 Fig. 4U9. 326 GOOD POINTS. BAB FOI.VTS. 327 Fig. 412. Fig. 413. Fig. 414. Chapter XX, 29. — The Fool and Limb Hoof Skin Removed. SHOEING. Preliminary Explanations. DURING my early experience I was in- duced, by the advice of friends, to give what instruction I could on shoe- ing. With this object, I had prepared models of the hoof, and the best forms of shoes, and was frequently led to give short lectures on the subject. It was not, however, until I visited New York City, in 18T2, and had several conversations with Mr. Robert Bon- ner on shoeing, that I was able to obtain anything like a correct idea of the principles of doing this. I found that what was pub- lished in books accessible on the subject, was but the merest rubbish, calculated in many respects to seriously mislead and do harm. Mr. Bonner had just purchased the mare Princess, the famous old competitor of Flora Temple. Her feet were badly contracted, and the tendons of the legs greatly thick- ened, causing her to move almost as sore and stiff as a foundered horse. He assured me that before I left the city the feet would look entirely natural, and that she would travel with as much freedom and ease as a colt. From my knowledge of the subject, it seemed utterly impossible to cure such a case ; and yet, to my astonishment, in less than three months afterward she was per- fectly well. I was startled, first, to find that I knew nothing of the subject ; second, that there was so little known about it practical- ly ; and third, that a gentleman for his own amusement oroved to me that he had a far (329) 330 SHOEING. deeper and more correct knowledge of it than doubtless any man of his time.'^ At any rate, I was now led to study the subject in an entire- ly different light, and though far from being able to give the instruction on this subject I would like to do, for want of the requisite knowledge, I have done the best I could to make the instructions so simple and practical that they will at least serve to correct some of the wretchedly bad treatment practiced by sho- ers. I have tried also to in- clude such illustrations of the Fig. 430. -Lateral View of Horse's Foot after Removal of tlie ffoof. structure of the foot as would show its various parts most clearly, with other features of most interest to shoers. The bones of the foot are so nicely adjusted and balanced by the ligaments and tendons of the limb, that there is no unequal strain brought upon any joint, but each assists in supporting the others. But if the heels are raised too high, or the toe left too long, there will be correspondingly increased strain brought upon the ligaments and ten- dons supporting the back or front part. In like manner, raising or lowering the Fig. 4:;i. — Inferior View of Foot with ftoof Removed. * Indeed, this is conceded now by even the leading members of the veterinary profession, as will be seen by the following statement by Dr. Going, formerlj' \eX- erinary editor of the jSpw'ii o/tt« Times, which I copy from his Veterinary Diction- arj-. He says : — " It is said that no man has ever yet reached perfection in any branch of art, science, literature, industry, etc. ; but while I am unprepared to join issue with the assertion, I can safely say that the nearest approach which has ever been made in this connection (horse-shoeing and the study of the horse's foot) has been made by Robert Bonner, Esq., of New York, who, had not the Ledger already made him fa- mous, would undoubtedly have obtained widespread renown through his almost su- perhuman knowledge in this department. I have had the pleasure of conversing with him on this subject, and am pleased to have an opportunity of stating the im- pression the conversation made upon me." SUOEIXG. 331 inner or outer quarter would produce a lateral strain upon the joints and ligaments, J5~ c which must ultimately cause the foot to grow out of line, and induce serious injury. Consequently, the point to be attended to in removing excessive growth of the wall in preparing it for the shoe, is to preserve or restore the natural angle and direction of the hoof This is one of F:g. 432. — Coffin Bone Showing Internal Lateral Cartilage, Internal and Posterior View. A, coffin bone; B, internal aspect of the lateral the important points, in doing which suc- cessfully the genius of true skill and suc- cess must be shown. A large number of illustrations are given showing good forms and positions of the feet and legs, with faulty forms. Also the various lines of movement of the feet when in motion. These are to be studied in paring the feet to change or modify the action as may be desired. First, in preparing the foot for the shoe, the aim should be to cut away so much of the wall as would be a surplus of growth, or so much only as would bring it back to its natural form and adjustment. As a rule, the wall should be lowered to the level of the unpared sole. The sole and frog should on no account be pared or touched by the knife, nor should the heels be "opened." The horny sole and frog, unlike the wall, do not grow in- definitely ; but when they have attained a certain thickness, they throw off the su- perfluous or old horn in flakes or scales. Fig. 433.-LateralViewofthe This natural thickness of the sole and Pastern Bones and Ligaments. frog-horn is an essential condition for the a, Lateral ligament of the fetlock; i, Anterior lateral ligament of the coffin joint ; c, Sus- pensory ligament ; f, Lateral sesamoidal ligament. 332 SUOEnXG. Fig. 434. maintenance of the foot in health and its protection from injury. In any event, about all that is necessary to do is to remove those loosened and detached flakes, which, were it not for the shoe, would have exfoliated themselves. Cutting away more than this becomes a serious cause of in- jury. The angles between the bars and crust should be moderately pared out, as accumulations here, with con- tinued pressure of the shoe, are apt -^ to induce corns. The frog does not require paring more than the removal of ragged parts, and even these better not be touched. A, ospedis or coffin bone; B, trans- Terse section of lateral cartilage. Second, the shoe should be in form, so that when on, the adjustment of the foot, or its power to obtain hold or grasp upon the ground, will be what it was before being shod, and yet sustain the wear for the time it is in- tended to be on. Third, it should be nailed on firmly, yet so as to break or weaken the wall of the hoof as little as possible, and not interfere with the free- dom of the quarters or en- largement of the foot as it grows. In its natural condition the outer rim or wall of the foot comes in contact with the ground first ; second, the frog and outer edge of the sole ; third, the center of the foot ""t-nt —Anterior and External View of Right Front Foot. a, Exterior pedis ligament; b, Suspensory liga- SHOEING. 333 lis /' m '^ \ and spaces between the bars and frog. To show this more clearly, three sectional drawings are made from half-size casts, showing the concavity of the foot at different points between the heel and turn of the hoof, and the necessarily great disturbance of this relation by the form of shoe usually put on. Fig. A shows the foot at the point of the heels as it rests upon the ordinary thick shoe, with calks raising the frog and sole so un- naturally high from the ground that there can be no contact of those parts with it necessary for obtaining mois- ture and preserv- ing a condition of health. In ad- dition it will be noticed that in the way shoes areusuallyfitted, the bearing sur- face is very much concaved, tend- ing to crowd the Fig. 436— Right Front Foot, quarters togeth- Fig. 437 \, Posterior and Slightly Lateral View. a, c, Perf orans tendon ; f , Suspensory ligament. -Inferior, Lateral, and Pos- terior View of the Right Front Foot, Showing Ligaments of Tendons. Perforans a, Sensitive frog ; tendon ; f , Suspensory li er. Fig. B shows the same, with form and fitting of shoes as they should be ; Figs. C and D show the same at relative distances be- tween there and the turn of the foot ; D, at the widest part, repre- senting a heavy shoe. (See page 347, Figs. 472-475.) If a colt's foot grows too long or out of line, it should be leveled down so as to make the adjustment natural, the outer edge 334 SHOEING. Fit 43s — Horrzontal Section of the Horny Frog. a, Horn tubes : b, Cells between tubes. rounded a little, and the colt driven barefoot. It is noticeable that ex- „, cessive wear is always at the toe, and that the heels rarely suffer, even on bad roads, and this being true, tips or thin steel plates only should be used, and that thick and high heeled shoes are not only certainly unnecessary but seriously injurious — that, in fact, in all cases the best shoeing for the feet, for all roads and seasons, when in a good condition of health, must be such as will permit them to be as nearly barefoot as possible, or, at least, that the posterior part is so, yet sustaining the attri- tion of wear to which they may be subjected, prevent slipping, and best preserve the natural adjustment of the feet. Tip.s OR Thin Shoes. If tips or thin steel plates are to be used, simply trim off the wall in front down to a level with the sole, and adjust to, and nail on, with four small nails, a small thin strip of steel or iron a little broader than the thick- ness of the wall. Steel would be best, be- cause it admits of being made lighter, and wears longer. The heels and frog should not be interfered with unless one heel is much higher than the other, when it should be lowered sufficiently to restore the proper adjustment. The objection to tips is that, as the toe is growing, the heels are wearing, which in time would be likely to increase the strain upon the flexor tendon and its appendages. This disproportion of wear would be more rapid and noticeable should the roads be wet and gravelly, as moisture Fig. 439.— Horizontal Section and grit soften the horn and cause it to °' ""''"I' *^" Enlarged. break and wear away more rapidly, but not a, Wall with homy tubes; so much as may be supposed on paved streets and mud roads. The writer saw b, Horn tubes; in*. c, Horn lam- SHOEING. 335 Fig. 440— Colt's Foot Three Years Old. several horses in New York City that had been shod with tips with decided benefit to the health of the feet, and without any apparent disproportion or wearing down of the frog and quarters, though the iron was worn down fully a quarter of an inch. The parts became, as it were, hardened and polished, thereby resisting the wear almost as much as the iron. As there has been much dis- cussion among writers in rela- tion to the use of tips, or thin- heeled shoes, I requested Dr. Hamill and Dr. McLellan, the two best veterinary authorities on this subject in this country, to give me a statement of the cases for which, in their judg- ment, tips would or would not be adapted. I give herewith the reply of each, and invite the attention of the reader to the points made, and the reasons given therefor. Prof Hamill says : — * * While I am a firm advocate of frog and sole pressure, and have driven my own horses for years over the pave- ments of New York City with nothing on the feet but what is known as the English tip or toe-piece shoe, which gives the foot the entire freedom of all its nat- ural movements, yet I must say it would be absurd to attempt to shoe every horse iu this way. There are any number of cases where this system would be in- jurious to the foot, and even to the limb. But as the foot, or rather that part of it inclosed within the hoof, is the object oftenest under consideration, I shall ex- plain briefly how it may suffer from extreme frog-pressure. (One point which we should always keep iu view is a due proportion, or equal distribution of the weight in ali parts of the hoof, and by no other .system can the foot be healthy.) Fig. 441.— Coil's Foot Four Years Old. From a Cast. 336 SUOEING. Fig. 442.~Half Hoof Removed. Anj' foot that is tUin in its general structure, but more so in its vertical position, or from top to bottom, and with the frog full at its pyramidal eminence or body, is not a proper foot for frog-pressure. In such feet the plantar cushion, or what is known as the fibrous or fatty frog, is very tliin, is easily made weaker by absorption through extreme pres- sure or irritation on the horny frog, and therefore offers very little pro- tection to the great flexor tendon where it passes under the navicular bone. But I may be asked. How could this in any way cause injury, if the navicular joint be perfect, as the tendon requires only a slight cushion underneath? My answer is, that there is a double impingement of the tendon, owing to the navicular bone descending on the tendon every time weight is thrown on the limb, the proof of which is the pain caused by this action on the internal struct- ures of the hoof. I ask, TThere is the shoeing-smith who has not seen the agony of a horse while standing on one bare foot on the level floor while the other foot is being shod, and the relief which fol- lowed when the shod foot was placed on the floor ? I may be told that such feet have been previously weakened by bad shoeing and bad care, and that a horse which never had been shod would not suffer in this way. Those who make such assertions are entirely ignorant of the anatomy and physiology of the foot. My answer is, that when a horse first comes to the world he has no frog develop- ment, and for the first year of his life, while walking on a level, can have no frog- pressure. It is only animals that are raised on low or marshy land that have a great development of frog. Horses belonging to mountainous countries have very little frog, and generally narrow or apparently contracted feet, which is no evidence of disease. Witness the ass and the mule for example ; and I may add that although wide heels are generally desirable, they are no evidence in themselves of perfect health. I am well aware that most thin heels, and generally thin feet, have a large frog, but the depth of such a frog is more apparent than real, as it will be found on close investigation that the flexor tendon and navicular structure are lower or nearer the gi'ound-surface in such a foot. Therefore we must discriminate in all eases, as Fig. 443. — Inferior View of the Above. SlIOEIXG. 337 Showing the Coronary Band. oue mistake may cause irreparable injury. To be definite, we can safely give extra frog and heel pressure in all cases where the hoof is deep at the quarters, where there Is a tendency toward contraction and atrophy of the frog, where the obliquity of the pastern is not too great, and where the feet and limbs are per- fectly sound and well proportioned. (This lat- ter will narrow the circle more than most ))eople are aware of.) No thoughtful man would dare to throw extra weight on the sole and frog of a foot that had long suffered with navicular disease, however excellent this would be as a pre- ventive. Neither should we throw extra weight on the posterior parts of a foot or limb where there is any soreness of flexor muscles or tendons, or any ligament involved, as it would entail greater tension on the parts, while the opposite is what is required, viz., flex- ion or relaxation. I say distinctly, we should only carry frog-pressure to the extent of bringing into activity all the elastic structures of the foot, which increases the circulation of those parts so liable to atrophy, and only through the circulation can we keep up or restore the health, vigor, and growth of frog, sole, heels, and quarters of the horse's foot. Prof. McLellan says : — In reference to the use of tips, I give you only an outline. They are useful in the case of corns, in quarter-cracks, in thrush, in interfering, and in fitting the horse to run at grass. They are not ajiplicable to feet that have thin, flat soles, with low heels. They are not applicable to heavy work horses with flat feet and prominent frogs (such frogs are liable to suffer bruises when so exposed, the resulting inflam- mation extending frequently to deeper and more vital structures). They are not ap- plicable to feet having navicular disease. They are not applicable when, in apply- ing them, it is necessary to disturb the normal relation of the bones of the limb. Fio. 445. — Showing Inside of Hoof. 3S6 SHOEIXa. They -will be found particularly useful in strong feet that have corns in both heels, and In the case of bad interferers. Trimming. Before preparing the foot for the shoe, the smith should go in front and look at it, so as to determine better its adjustment. Sometimes the foot may be run over by having one side too high or the toe worn off excessively. If it is desired to be particular, he should see how the feet are carried in a sharp trot ; whether too high or too low ; or whether he travels too close, endangering inter- fering or cutting — using the words of a high au- thority, " to see whether there are any traces of bruis- ing or cutting on the inner sides of hoofs, fetlocks, or knees." He should also see how the old shoe has been worn. The foot can then be taken up, when a look from the heel forward will enable an observing shoer to determine how much and what part is to be cut away to level it to the proper proportion, and the faults, if any, that can be modified or corrected. If the horse travels high, the shoes must be light ; if low and subject to stumb- ling, they may be increased in weight a little, and the toe some- what rounded ; if liable to strike, then set close under the wall with edges filed smooth. The point is to cut away or remove the surplus growth in the easiest and best manner, which depends more upon the deftness and ingenuity of the man than upon the use of 'any special means. The wall should be reduced to nearly or quite on a level with the outer margin of the sole. The bearing surface of the entire wall should be made level, so that an even bearing surface of the shoe will rest upon it fully. The rasp should now be passed around the toe, to cut away the sharp edges and bring it to the size required. Practically, this should be little more than rounding off the sharp edges of horn to prevent splitting. Ft(;. 44(;.— The Foot Natural. SHOEIXG. 339 Fig. 447. — Foot Excessively Pared. The principle is the same of leveling and preparing the feet of horses that have previously been shod. In such cases, to take off the shoe the best method is, after the clinch- ers are cut off, to raise both heels slightly with the pincers, then pry forward and across the foot a little, when the nails can be pulled out one by one. It is seriously objection- able, as generally done, to pull off the shoe by force, as the severe wrenching endangers tearing the hoof and straining and injuring the foot. This would be especially objec- tionable if the hoof be thin and the horse sensitive. Next, any stubs or nails should be removed. While it is simply intended to pare down the wall to its natural form, if it is thin and weak, growing but little, especially at the heels, where there is great difficulty to grow sufficient wall for the support of the foot, no more should be removed than is barely ne- cessary to level it. As before stated, there should be no interference with sole or frog, excepting to chip or cut away the portion of the old horn which could not be exfoliated. Frequently the heels are too high, or the toe too long ; in either case, whatever the ex- cessive accumulation or growth of horn, it should be cut away until the foot is brought back to its natural form and adjust- ment. Sometimes there is ex- cessive accumulation to the amount of half an inch or more at the heels, or even of the whole wall of strong, upright feet, yet to the ordinary observing shoe- ing-smith it may not appear ex- cessive, because cutting away so much would make the foot appear to him to be unnaturally small. Several specimens of ab- normal growth of feet are given. Fig. -±95, page 35.5, taken from life, is a good representative case, and was seen by the writer at Fig. 448. — Foot after Four Years' Slioeing. 340 SHOEIN(}. Fulton Ferry, New York City. It is that of a pony mare driven before a huckster's wagon. The right foot was so contracted by this excessive accumulation of horn, that its mobility was entirely de- stroyed. It will be noticed that the toe of the shoe is carried forward something like a sled crook, to enable a rolling motion upon the ground. It was pitiable to witness the pain and misery this poor animal exhibited. She walked with a crippled, sensitive motion, and while standing would put out one foot, then the other, but mostly the right one. The case could have been easily relieved of pain Fig. 449. Fio. 4.50— Too Short and Upright. Fig. 4.51.— Too Oblique. Fig. 4.52,— Natural Obliquity of Ankle. and soreness, by simply cutting down the feet and thoroughly soaking and opening the quarters, as explained in treatment for " Contraction." The dotted lines represent the point to which the horn should be cut away, showing an excess of accumulation of over three inches. The Shoe. The shoe should, in form and size, little more than cover the wall, excepting at the heels where it should be so much wider and longer as to compensate for the growth of the foot, and be heavy enough to sustain the at- trition, or wear, for the time it is expected to be on. But should this require an excessive thick- ness, then the bar may be made wider, to permit more wearing surface. It should fit closely all the way around to the bearing surface prepared for its reception, so that it may give to the crust all the support it can receive, and Fig. 4.54. — Too High on One Side. Fig. 453.— Heels too High. SHOEING. 341 carry out in its ground surface, as nearly as possible, the form of the wall before it was cut away. It is a rule, recognized by the best authorities, that the sole should not rest upon the shoe, except around the toe where the outer edge is left full and natural. But if the wall is cut down close, and the sole rather thin (which, as explained' before, in no case should be done except for pathological reasons), it is advisable, if it comes too near the iron, to lower the part coming under it. As a rule, the bearing surface should be level, and the ground surface concave, or the in- ner edge of the ground surface so beveled off that it will not harbor stones and dirt, and be so stiff that it will not bend. As before stated, if the horse is expected to be driven only oc- casionally, and upon common dirt roads, the wear will be but little, and the shoes should be corre- spondingly light ; but if much travel is required, on stony or macadannzed roads, the weight should be sufficient to sustain such wear. The addition of a small bit of steel, hammered well into the toe, and tempered, would add greatly to its dur- ability. It would be much better to make them wholly of steel, as they would be very much lighter, equally stiff, and less liable to bend. In a condition of health, from a light family driver to the heavy draught horse, the „ principle of shoeing is the Pig. 456.— Fool loo Long. ^ ^ , . . . ° , same ; the size, thickness, and weight only differing so as to adapt to each case, with the difference Fig. 455.— Too Short. 342 SHOEING. that when exceptional power is necessary, as for draught horses, or to prevent slipping, calkins must be used. As a rule, nothing more is wanting, unless necessary for extra wear, than just iron enough to protect the outer crust of the foot, and prevent its break- ing. More iron than this becomes e.xtra weight, and causes fatigue in carrying, like thick, heavy-soled shoes or clogs. It is a question among English authorities whether a shoe should be " rounded at the toe " (a prac- tice known as the French system) to aid mobility. A moderate rounding at the toe would seem desirable in all cases where there is want of mo- bilit)-. It is. especially desirable when the horse is a little stiff or sore, as it enables him to travel much easier. This is proved when the mobility of the foot is destroyed, and there is necessity for using a rounded shoe to conform with the action. Illustrations of a large variety of shoes of different forms are given, which can be studied. Prof Will- iams, of Edin- borough Veter- inary College, advises that the c a Ik i n s and toe-pieces should be done away \\'ith for a 1 1 kinds o f horses except those used for heavy draught in towns where the streets are paved and steep. It is urged that all horses required to go beyond a walking pace are injured by shoes with turned-up heels and toes. Farm horses and Fig. 437. — Shoe Properly Adjusted. Fig. 408.— Thin Shoe for Light Worl<. Fig. 4.59. -Faulty, Bad Form of Shoe. SHOEING. 343 Fio. 460.— Toes too Wide. those employed on macadamized roads are better without than with toe-pieces, although the pace at which they are required to go is never faster than a walk. In fact, all horses, when possible, should be shod with a flat shoe. N.A.ILING. The object of nailing should be to hold the shoe firml)- to the foot without injuring the wall, and leave the foot as independent of the restraint of the shoe at the quarters as possible. The nails should be driven where there will be most secure nail-hold ; more or less as well as heavier nails being necessary, in pro- portion to the thickness of the wall, weight of the shoe, and severity of the work. The wall is thickest and strongest at the toe or front, and be- comes thinner and more flexible to- ward the quarters and heels, especially at the inner heels, where it is sometimes extremely thin and flexible. There has been much speculation during the past few years in relation to the cause of this quarter's giving out before the other, as nature evidently intended it to stand strain and wear equally with other parts. The cause, undoubtedly, is the interference in its mo- bility by bad-fitting shoes and nail- ing so far back as to interfere with the flexibility of the quarter. This being true, it is evident that the principal nailing should be at the toe and front, because there is more horn there to nail to, and less liabil- ity to do harm by separating and breaking the fibers of the wall. They should not extend any farther back into the quarters than is barely necessary to give a safe hold of the shoe to the foot. The fewer and smaller the nails driven, the better, providing they are sufficient to hold the shoe. But much will depend, in doing this, on the ac- curacy of the fitting, thickness of the wall, and weight of the shoe. If the nails are driven well back on the outer quarter, and only round in the toe of the inner side, for the purpose of affording more Fig. 461. — Extreme Toeing In. 344 SHOEING. freedom to the quarters, it will be found that as the foot grows, the shoe will be carried to the outside quarter and toe to such an extent that the inner heel of the shoe will be drawn inside of the wall at the ^ m ^ *FiG. 463. Perfect Ac tion. ^ /^ >i >1» >» : 'v c..... .. . .CI 1 • v». 1; » ■» i c---. -■■C-- •■■€ *FiG. 462. — Perfect Action. heel, and rest upon the sole, causing a bruise or corn. In addition, so much of the shoe being left unnailed, makes it liable to get loose and work under the quarter, which would cause a rapid wearing or breaking down of struct- ure. All things considered, the best way is to nail back to the turn of the wall securely. Or the nailing may be extended a little farther back on the outside, and short- ened a little on the inner side, in any c.ase giving both quarters all the freedom compatible with security, in re- taining a firm hold of the shoe. As the foot grows, the shoe will be brought forward so evenly under it as not to do harm. For ordinary light shoes, six to seven nails, evenly distributed around the front part, should be sufficient, sometimes extending the outer nail a little beyond or nearer the quarter than the inner one. But if the ~ ~ ~^'C^ ~~~~-.-.«^''~~ - . shoes are "^^/^ "^ - .' ^'"'^^^ heavy, and ^ ^ IT^ the' work I hard, as for I d r a u g li t horses, -.-.^ heavier nails, and from seven to eight in number, will in most cases be required. A small, thin clip turned up at the toe, and one at the outer quarter, will help greatly in holding the shoe firmly in position ; but they should be turned up thin, and set well out on the edge of the shoe. -c- .-e- -Short Upright Fetlock. * lu connection with figures 463, 463, see page 328. SHOEIKG. 345 But very little of the wall should be cut away, so as not to weaken or injure it ; but sufficient to enable bringing the shoe to its position. The shoes should not be hammered down tight to the wall, but simply sufficient to rest easily against it. Next, if the foot is broken, or much weakened by old nail-holes, punch the holes where there is soundest horn to nail to, as shown by Fig. 596. A thin shoe will not admit of any fullering, because it weakens the shoe, with- out giving any special advantage in nailing. The stamp form of punching the holes should be used ; that is, the hole made larger at the surface and smaller at the bot- &! *FiG. 465. Too Close. -r <3 -i ^- -■ "G ^ out low, known as the French method, which leading au- i /• *' thorities concede to be the best. If the nail is driven very , ' ■' I near the surface, it is liable to chip or break the horn out, /f^' J which injures and weakens the wall very much ; whereas ' \\ \ driving deep and bringing out low, insures a good hold, and the wall will be almost grown out by the next shoe- ing. Consequently they should be punched deep over those points where the wall is thickest, and less so toward the quarters where it is thinnest, or proportionately far- ther from the outer margin of the shoe. The common method of fullering all shoes alike, and bringing the nails at the same distance from the edge, can be no more adapted for all kinds of feet than can the size of the shoe itself This straight-jacket way of punching \:9 I'll *FiG. 467. Action that Strikes. In connection with figures 465, 466, 467, and 470, see page 327 3i6 SIIOEIXG. all alike, brings the nail-holes at the same location at each repeti- tion of shoeing, so that if the shoe becomes loose, or is pulled off, this part of the wall is liable to be torn off, or so split and broken^ Fin. 46«. Fig. 469. Thin-heeled Shoe Advised by Prof. Williams of Edinborough Veterinary College. as to leave only a soft, imperfect horn. In resetting such a shoe, it becomes necessary to put it farther back under the foot in order to gain secure nail-hold. Not only this, but the portion of the pro- jecting wall being cut down to the shoe, leaves it deformed and , injured to an extent that • (rl) I '■ several months' growth ,' ' J ' cannot repair. But if the I I J^ holes be punched over ' I '^■. parts that would give as II ' '. secure hold, the shoe can \X. I ' be nailed on sufficiently P I ' firm to hold it without doing harm, and thereby preserve the symmetry of the foot. In such a case it may be necessary to nail rather close to the heels ; but even this had better be done for a short time than risk injury and malformation by the method named. If by carelessness or otherwise a nail should be driven into the quick, which will usually be known by the horse's flinching, it should be pulled out at once ; or should a horse show soreness after being (^ *FiG. 470. Faulty Action. Fig. 471.— Foot Prepared tor Shoe. SHOEING. 347 Fro. 4T2. — Foot at Point of Heel on Thick Shoes. taken out of the shop, the foot should be examined carefully by tap- ping over the part, and the nail at the point of soreness pulled out. (For more details, see treatment for Pricking and Rucking.) Cli>"chixg Down the Xails. When the nail is twisted off, the end should be filed down to the proper length, and, with the corner of the rasp or lit- tle punch, cut out the pith or raised part under the clinch, and turn down light- ly but firmly. The common custom is to make a deep notch with the corner of the rasp, which extends across the face of the hoof from one nail to the other. This is so injurious that it should not be permitted even to the smallest degree. No rasping of the outer sur- face of the wall should be allowed, excepting to touch or smooth any roughness of the clinches, and to round of the edge of the wall dawn near the shoe. It has been explained undir the proper head, that tlv inner surface of the wali soft and spongy, and that as it approaches the outer surface, it becomes hard and bony, and the fibers closer and denser, and that over the surface is a sort of skin or thin covering of enamel, that prevents too rapid evap- oration of moisture ; and it is necessary to retain intact this strong fibrous horn, as well as its outer covering, so as to hold the nails firmly, as well as to prevent the excessive evaporation of moisture which would follow. Should the shoe be too short, which is liable to happen, to remedy the difficulty it is the common custom to set it back under the wall, and rasp the thick, strong wall, extending out over the Fig. 474. — Adjustment between Heel and Turn of Foot. Fig. 4T-5. —Adjustment at Turn of Foot. 348 SHOEIXO. shoe, down to it. Or, should the shoe be too straight or narrow for the foot across the points of nailing, to drive the nails so deeply as not only to endanger pricking, but greatly to weaken the wall. The excessive rasp- ing not only destroys the strongest part of the wall, that best able to retain the nail-holes and support concus- sion, but causes a se- rious internal disease not usually understood, which shows its effect in an absorption of the bone beneath. Fig. 523 is a good illustration of this. The speci- men from which it is drawn was obtained from Dr. Hamill. The small sketch is full size, and shows the exact appearance of its sur- face, and small points of horn which are over a quarter of an inch long, extending out like pegs. Shoeing the Hind Feet. There is usually so little Fig. 476.— Tips. From the French. Fig. 477.— Thin Strip Set in Hoof. From Lafosse. Fig. 478.— Tips Applied to the Coil's Foot. Fig. 479. — Thin Shoe. From Lafosse. trouble with the hind feet, that it is scarcely necessary to give any directions as to their management. The horn is thickest at the quarters, and the principal nailing should be done there. Some- SHOEING. 349 times there is a curling under or contracting of the heels, which may be the cause of more or less inflammation, extending to the sheaths of tendons and other parts of the leg ; in such a case, if thought advisable, either or both quarters can be treated as ex- plained under that head in " Con- t| traction." Pricking and Rucking. I think it advisable, in this con- nection, to say a few words about pricking, which is more common than many suppose. It is not un- Fig 480 —Shoe Adjusted. From the German, usual, indeed it is a very common occurrence, to drive the nail too near the quick or into it, and thus by a little carelessness cause great harm. First, if the nail be driven so as to go to the quick, in which case the horse may show it by flinching, it should in all cases be pulled out at once, and the hole Fig. 481— Model Shoes. Fir, 4S2. — Showing Location of Nails. be left vacant. If this is done, no harm will follow. Sometimes the smith, especially if he expects to be scolded, will drive the nail down, which in a few hours or next day will show itself by S.'iO SIlOEfXd. m,-ikiny tlic horse lame ; or the nail may be driven so deeply as to go near the soft parts of the inner edge, and when the point strikes the hard horn of the outer surface, it may bend inward or press upon and break through to the sensitive parts. This is called rucking, as shown in Fig. 508. The nail should be pulled out at once. Another cause of harm is what is termed fitting and drawing the nails too clnscly. If tlu; .jiails are driven rather deep, and clinched down firmly, they are liable to bend inward and press upon the sensitive parts. This is called jiinching. If present when the horse is shod, and it is noticed that the nails are driven rather deep for the thickness of the wall, insist upon their being driven farther out. An ignorant or thoughtless man may claim there is no danger, though he is driving the nails much too deep. Should the horse show soreness or lameness within three or four days after being shod, especially if he puts Fin. 4H3. —Examining the Shoe. I'u. Ibl. Location of Nails. Fid. ■IS.-, French Method of Nailing the foot forward to ease it, give the matter attiiition at once. First rest tile li.ind light!)- iqioii the hoof to discover wlu-tlu-r there is any unusual heat, and if s(j, at \\liat jidint ; next take a light hammer or small stone, and tap light!}' round over the nails, until the horse sri(iEi.\y,'. 351 Fki. 480. The Hoof of a Fore Foot Showing the Bad Effects of Excessive Rasping. flinches, wlicn tlic of- fcntlinf^ nail or n.iils can be discovered and pidled out. If this is done soon after beiny shod or during the same day, all that may be necessary to do is to leave the nail out. I have had excellcni success by pourin;.^ .i little callendula into the hole. In one case, where there was con- siderable soreness a few hours after beinj^ shod, though the horse was quite lame on ac- count of the nail bcinff driven too deeij, after pullinfj out then ail, .i little callendula was poured in, and the shoe a},'ain put on, and the horse in a few hours was free from lameness. But if he shows lame- ness in a day or so after bein^^ shod, cut away the wall from around IIk; hole, so as to let out any mat- ter which may h a V c f o r m e d. Xe.\t jjonllice the foot until tin; in- flainniation sub- sifles, then cover the hole with a little d i fjest i vc ointment ("which is made by melt- inj^ together equal [(arts of tar and hog's lard, and stirring till C(><)\), over which put a little tow and [jnt on the shoe. CONTKACTION. ITS CUKK. i'"or hundreds of years there has been great effort made to jjre- Fio. 487.- Shoe Proptrly Ad|uilccJ and Nailod. 352 SnOETXG. Fig. 488. — Good Model of Concave Shoe. vent and cure con- traction. I give avariety of figures showing some forms of shoes and methods of ex- panding the quar- ters. Contraction may be divided into three class- es : 1. A general compression, or drawing in of the wall upon the vascular struct- ure ; 2. When but one or both quarters are drawn in ; 3. \MTen the heels are curled in, or pushed forward under the foot. The prevention and cure of contraction must depend upon re- moving excess of horn, frog-press- ure, freedom of the quarters, or, if necessary, opening them mechan- ically as desired, and upon moist- ure. Any of these conditions lacking, there must in sei-ious cases be partial or entire failure, no matter what the means or methods used. If the feet could have conditions that would afford natural moisture, and the shoes be made so thin that the frog and sole could have reason- able contact with the ground, the quarters so free that they could expand with the growth of the feet, there could be but little if any contraction. Frog-Pressure. \\'e see that in all cases Fig. 490. -Adjustable Calk. where there is reasonable Fig. 489.— Ordinary Calks. SHOEING. 353 frog-pressure, the frog becomes largei', firm- er, and more elastic ; while raising the frog from contact causes it to become small and hard, the quarters to draw in, and the whole foot to diminish more or less in size. But if not accustomed to pressure, it should be given gradually, in connection with keeping the feet thoroughly softened, so as not to excite inflammation or soreness. It would not do for a man accustomed to wearing boots for years to suddenly go barefoot on rough, hard ground. The skin on the feet is so thin that they would be made sore, and would be liable to serious inflamma- tion. In like manner it would not be pru- dent to bring the heels and frog of a horse's foot that has long been protected by shoes, suddenly to the ground. If there is but little contraction, with fairly good condition of the feet, all that will be necessary to do is to level down the feet, and Fig. 491.— Adjustable Calks. Fig. 492. — Model of Shoe for Express Horses From Dr. HamlH's Collection. Fig. 49a. — The Goodenough Shoe. remove any surplus of old horn from the sole, put on thin-heeled shoes, and keep the feet soft by moisture. The next simplest and best method would be to use the convex shoe. See Figs. 552 -554. After leveling and trimming out the foot properly, as betnri explained, cut away or weaken the arch be« 354 SHOEING. tween the bars and frog sufficiently to allow of some elas- ticity of the quar- ters, then fit the heels nicely to the bearing surface of the shoe. In doing this, care should be taken to leave them sufficiently deep to enable matching the bevel of the shoe nicely without cutting away or lowering the wall too much. No horn should be left pro- jecting inside, as it would form a wall against the inner edge of the shoe, and prevent the heels from spreading. Of course, no nails should be driven back in the quarters. As before explained, the frog should gradually be given contact with the ground. As the quar- ters are opened, the shoe can be taken off, made larger, and reset, until the foot is reasonably expanded, when a level bearing-surface may again be used. But for anything like a bad condition of contraction, more direct and positive treatment will be necessary. For ex- ample, if the foot is badly contracted, the frog small, and sole forced upward acutely, the whole internal structure, in fact, locked and tied, as it were, by the severe compression of the wall, three conditions are necessary : First, complete elasticity of quarters and sole ; second, power to open quarter so as to relieve pressure, and allow the sole to settle back to its natural position ; third, gradual frog-pressure so as to restore a Fig. 494. — A Dried Hoof with Frog Removed. Fig. 495.— The Frog SHOEIXG. 355 Fig. 496. — Mobility entirely Destroyed in Riglit Foot. healthy condinon of circulation and strength of parts. The first important step in the treatment is to thoroughh- soften the feet. The simplest way of do- ing this in the stables is by tying two or three thicknesses of blanket around the feet and keeping them wet about twenty- four hours ; or better, fill two small bags with bran, put a foot into each, and tie a string loosely around the top of the bag and leg above the fetlock. Put each foot into a bucket of water, and afterward pour on water to keep wet ; or the horse can be made to stand in mud till the feet are soft. There is usually a large accumulation of horn, especially at the heel, all of which must be removed, and the wall leveled down to its proper dimensions. Next, with the drawing-knife pare out the sole ; not enough to make it bend to pressure, but more than beyond the removal of the old horn. Then with a small knife, which should be made expressly for the purpose, — let the blade be made straight, with a cutting edge on both sides, and the end turned about a quarter of an inch, tempered and ground down to a keen edge, so as not to cut a channel much more than one eighth to three sixteenths of an inch wide, — weaken the wall between the bars and frog, by scrap- ing or cutting out the bottom of the channel back to the point of the heel so much that when pressure is brought upon the heels outward, there will be no impediment to their opening freely at their upper edge. To do this, commence well forward near the point of the frog, and cut back, following the line of the arch carefull)'. Particu- Fiii. 407. — Showing Great Excess of Horn. 356 SHOEIXG. Fig. 498. Bearing-suiface lar care should be taken not to cut so much at any part as to cause bleeding. On this account the op- erator should feel his way cautious- ly, cutting deeper as he goes back. The bar should be cut away to within three quar- ters of an inch from the point of the heel. No more should be cut away from the rest of the bar, or part coming un- der the clip, than may be necessary to give a straight shoulder for it to rest against. Both sides must be treated alike. If the part has been cut through in the least, it should be protected after the shoe is on by melting a little resin and tallow _ into it, and covering with tow. There have been many ignorant and pretentious quacks, who have presumed to weaken the heel by sawing in between the bars and frog. Only a very small point can be reached in this wa\', -Shoe too Wide and Long, too Concave. Fig. 499 Concave Bearing-surface of Slioe 498 at Heel. Fig. "lOO.— Concave Bearing-surface of Shoe 498 b3- tween Heel and Turn cf Foot. Fig. 501. — Concave Bearing-surface of Same at Turn of Foot. without cutting to the quick. The saw cannot be used here at all with advantage. The point is to weaken the horn at the bottom of the cleft so that it will spread freely, and this can be done prop- erly only with the cutting-knife. The proper flexibilit\- of the heels can be judged by a slight pressure with the hand. This done, our next object is to remove the compression of the wall. To do this, fit to it a rather thin, flat shoe, made of good iron. At the heels it should be made a little wider and longer than the SHOEING. 357 foot, and the nail-holes punched, as in Fig. 565. Lay on the shoe as intended to be nailed, and with a pencil make a mark over the inside of the bar at the point of the heel on both sides. This done, accu- rately punch or drill two holes through the iron, about three six- teenths of an inch in diameter. If it can be done, it woulcj be bet- ter to have the holes beveled on the inside of the bar. extending up and back at the point of the heel. Next, take two little pieces of good iron or steel, about three fourths to seven eighths of an inch long, by about three sixteenths thick, and about five eighths of an inch wide. Cut down the end until it will fit the hole in the Fig. 503. — View of Hoof with Marked Depression across the Front, and a Corresponding Bulging downwards of the Sole. -Model Thin-heeled Shoe. Fig. .504.— Light Hind Shoe. shoe, and rivet it, as shown in Fig. 557. These are now to be warmed and bent, and, if necessary, filed so as to lie flat against 358 SHOEIXG. Fig. 501— Sole and Wall Cut away too much. Fig. ■506.— Wall not Cut away Quite Enough. both heels, and just long enough to come a little short of touch- ing the soft horn above it. Next weaken the shoe a little on both sides, which may be extended over a much larger space than shown in Fig. 558 ; or if the shoe is not very heavy, it may be spread without weak- ening. Regu- late 50 as to come a little forward of the point where the hoof begins to draw in. If the shoe is thin, the inner edge should be turn up and formed into a clip, w h i c h, with a little care, can be filed and fitted. But if the shoe is at all thick, it would be somewhat difficult to do this ; for if the clip is turned up so that the shoe is too large or too small, a very tedious, annoying bungle would be the result. In addition, it would be difficult to make the clips sufficiently long to enable bringing pressure as high up against the wall as it will admit, which is a very important point toward opening the upper part of the hoof The method before given, which neces- sity compelled me to devise and adopt, makes this simple and easy to do ; and except the shoe is so thin as not to admit of punching or drilling, it will be found by far the simplest and best method of forming the clips. When properly adjust- ed, nail on carefully. The nails around the toe may be larger than those driven in the quarters ; and while driven so as to give a good hold, and rather high, if the feet are at all sore and tender, great care should be taken that the hammering is not too heavy, nor the nails driven deep. The clinches should simply be turned down lighth'. If the hoof ex- tends out over the shoe at any point, it should be no reason for more rasping than merely to round off the edges of the horn. Let Fig. 5117— Heel as it Usually Rests on the Shoe. SHOEING. 859 it alone. It is frequently the case that one quarter is more con- tracted than the other ; in fact, it is not unusual to have one side of the heel very much drawn in, while the other may be very lit- tle, if any, contracted ; so that two conditions must be met ; namely, y. Fig. 508.— Bad Nailing. 509.— Nail Rucked. Fig. 510 —Good Nailing. first, to open either heel as little or as much as may be desired, independent of the other. This the spreaders (which have been devised and patented by the writer) will enable doing in the most perfect manner. Simple as these spreaders are, the writer has found it very difficult to have them made properl}'. On this ac- count he has found it necessary to have them made according to an exact pattern, and they will be furnished at a moderate price to those desiring them. However nec- essary it may be to have this part of the work well done, it is, in reality, but a preparatory step for what follows. First, if tongs or a screw be used to spread the shoe, the pressure being made equal on both sides, the side which is weakest must do 511— Transverse Section of the Hoof of the Fore Foot of a Work Horse in which the Sole had Become Convex. 360 SHOEIXG. all the bending — opening that quarter too much without affecting the other at all. Another cause of difficulty is not having the tongs convenient with which to spread the shoe, and it is put off too long ; and when finall\- attempted, done so roughU", or opened so much as to cause violent in- flammation and lameness. With the spreaders, this dif- ficulty is entirely overcome. Opening the Heels. The method of doing this should be about as fol- lows : First, meas- ure between the heels of the shoe carefully, by cut- ting a bit of straw or stick the exact length between them, and then estimate how much each heel will bear opening without causing soreness. Un- less the foot is very soft and elastic, it is hardly prudent the first time to open them more than a quarter or three eighths of an inch. It is well to first open the quarter most contracted, which, until brought out to balance with the other, should be opened the most. Then measure again and spread the opposite side. If opened too much, or enough to cause soreness, a few light taps of the ham- mer against the outside will set it back. The feet should be kept soft by stop- ping with flaxseed-meal, and tying two or three thicknesses of blanket around, and wetting occasionally. In the course of an hour or two examine the condi- tion of the feet carefully. If the horse puts out one foot, or indi- cates the least soreness, the quarters have been opened too much, Fig, 5T3. Fn;. .-.i:;. Fig. .514. Shoe Should Conform to Foot. The Shoe Being too Small and Badly Abjusted, the Fool Is Compressed and Necessarily Injured. Figs. 51.5, .510— Very Common He- suit of Wearing Small. Bad Fitting Shoes. SHOEING. 361 and they must be at once knocked back sufficiently to relieve the undue pressure, and be kept wet. It is rarely, however, that the spreading of a quarter, or even three eighths, of an inch, will at first cause any soreness. On the contrary, it always gives relief. Still I think it necessary to use care. The horse can be driven or worked moderately, if desired. In two or three days the spread- ing can be repeated, but now not so much as before, and again in three or four days following, and so on at longer intervals. If the foot has been properly prepared, two points will be ac- complished by this spreading, namely, the severe compression upon Fig. 517. — Natural Position. Fig. .518. — Effect of Contraction Fic. 519. — Extreme Case Good Slioeing. and Soreness. of Contraction and Soreness. the vascular structure and coronary ring will be immediately re- lieved, and the sole, which in all cases of this character has been forced up, as shown, to an acute angle, will straighten and let down. To aid this, the sole must, by paring, be made so flexible that, as the foot is opened, it will settle down and come back to its natural condition. The soreness resulting from the compression of the parts will be removed, and a better condition of circulation and nu- trition result. By this course the mobility will not only be re- stored, the horse travel with more freedom and confidence, but as the hoof grows down it will become thicker and of a better fiber. As before explained, to bring about a healthy condition of cir- culation and nutrition, the frog must necessarily be given contact with the ground to the degree it will bear, which should be provided 362 SHOEIXG. for by the thinness of the shoe. In some simple cases, nailing the shoe to the heel, as shown in Fig. 558, may be sufficient to hold the quarters firmly enough to enable spreading them as desired The objection is that the wall is so thin at the point of the heels, that it may be difficult to get a good nail-hold without pricking or break- ing out ; besides, the nailing cannot be repeated. The nails should be small and driven very carefully, getting as much hold as the horn will admit of. The supposed objection to this plan of opening the quarters is, that it prevents their natural elasticity by their undue confinement. But this is not a valid objection ; because in the di- FiGS. 520, 521. — How a Horse Stands when Sore-looted or Lame. rection it is desired to give them freedom outward, it only facilitati^ it, while at the same time it gives a certainty and positiveness of re- lief that cannot well be secured in any other way. In fact, herein lies most of the success in the management of all conditions of contraction. In my experience I never have found a smith who could catch the points of properly preparing the foot and fitting the shoes for such cases. In every instance I have been compelled to stand over the shoer and dictate every movement or do part of the work myself First, the want of judgment in prepar- ing the foot ; second, in adapting the weight of the shoe to the foot, and fitting the clips so as to enable opening the quarters easily and surely as desired. Mr. Romkkck's Mf.tiiod. Since writing the foregoing my attention has been called to a SIfOETXG. 363 Fio ')32 — Anterior Section of a Hind Hool M?(le Vertically across the Center, Showing the Thickness of Wall. very simple and practical method of opening the quarters for the cure of contraction, which is used with marked success, and illus- trated in Fig. 566, devised by Mr. David Robcrge, a practical horse- shoer of great ingenuity and skill, located at No. 106 West Thirtieth Street, New York City. Various methods of open- ing the heels on this plan are given, which are from French and other author- ities, to show the great ef- fort that has been made by mechanical means to overcome this difficult)-. But Mr. Roberge, by giv- ing more length to the spring, and simplifying its construction, makes it all that can be desired. The spring is made of steel, the exact proportion and adjustment of which is shown in Fig. 5<)7. The wall is first weakened by sawing down slightly between the heel and frog, when the spring is placed in position with so much force given to it as may be thought necessary to press the heels out- ward as desired. The shoe is then nailed on over it, as ordi- narily done. The pressure is gradual and constant, and must j)rove just the thing where both quarters will admit of equal pressure. But should one quar- ter be much more contracted or unyielding than the other, it does not seem to the writer that it would work so well, because the full pressure would then be thrown on the weaker "quarter. But this, it is claimed, can be Fio. i2l!. — The Effect of Internal Inflammation, Caused by Excessive Rasping and Other Causes of Injury obviated by nailing the shoe well back on the quarter of the op- posite side, which would prevent that side from being acted upon 364 SHOETXG. This spring, with particulars, can be obtained by addressing the patentee, Mr. Roberge. Rolling Motion Shoe. I also give illustrations of a form of shoe devised and largely used b\- him with great success, which he has patented. The objert to be attained is, where there is want of mobil- ity, or much soreness and inflammation, to so form and adjust the shoe that the foot will partly roll upon the ground, thereby relieving the strain and irritation. To use Mr. Roberge's words, " This shoe, by allowing the foot to roll upon the ground, gives the foot the advantage of an extra joint, and to that degree relieves the strain or want of mobility, which causes lameness or soreness." Consequently, it not only enables the horse to travel easier, but aids in making a cure. This principle of treatment he has studied very closely, and it is remarkably successful. This principle of treatment has long been in use. I give an il- lustration from Lafosse, showing a side view of the hoof fitted for the Fig. '>ii. — Transverse Section of a Model Hoof at tiie Quarters. Fig. ."iSS.— Showing the Usual Arch Fig. .526.— Showing Effect of Fk;. .527.— Sole Bent of the Sole. a Little Contraction. Upwards. Effect of Contraction. shoe ; also a specimen of the French shoe. The principle is to turn up the shoe at the heel and toe about the thickness of the iron. Mr. Roberge's shoe differs essentially from this, in that he gives a curv- ature sideways as well as with the length of the foot. What he terms his "best shoe," and which is the most unusual, is Fig. 568, which is a thin plate hammered into a rounded or bowl shape, the SHOEIXG. 365 exact proportions of which are preserved in the drawings given. Fig. 570 is a side view, which will give a good idea of the relative proportion of the curve. By this form of shoe the foot has perfect Pig. 528. — Hinge Shoe. From the French. Fig. 539. — Form of Shoe Devised in England for Preventing Contraction. freedom of motion either way. If the foot is feverish or dry, wet sponge or oakum is pushed in between the shoe and bottom of the foot. Fig. 572 isa view of the same made a little heavier, the same form of circle being preserved, with the difference of the central part being removed with cross-section of the same. The shoe from which this drawing was made was claimed to be the same that was worn by Dexter when he made his fastest time to road wagon. Figs. 575, 576, show the method of putting on calkins. In conversa- tion with the writer, Mr. Bonner stated that David Roberge was one of the very foremost living students of the principles of shoeing. He is an unassuming, practical man, but is wonderfully successful. Quarter-Crack. This is the one difficulty next to con- traction which seems to have baffled the skill of the best veterinary authorities and horsemen'to prevent or cure ; because in extreme cases they had no practical treatment beyond that of a bar shoe, cut- ting away the horn so that the part back of the split would have no bearing upon it, or supporting the weak parts by drawing the edges together with nails, or fastening on a plate with screws, all of which are merely palliative, and not to be depended upon. It would, of course. Fig. 530. — Form of Shoe Used by the French for the Cure of Contraction. 366 SHOEING. be easv to grow the foot down by keeping the horse in a stall or small yard where the ground is soft, but when put to work it would be liable to split down again as before. Consequently it has been one of the most vexatious and annoying of difficulties, because to do this it was necessary to keep the horse idle from three to six months; and then, when put to work, if by chance /o^o V-^''''~~v/' <^ he were driven sharply over hard or frozen roads, the quarter was liable to burst, which would again make the loss of use necessary. Or F'^- 532,-Shoe Made in Sec- it became neces- sary to resort to the palliative measures referred to, and thus in time the value of an otherwise good horse would be destroyed. We see, in the first place, that the whole trouble arises from the hoof becoming contracted or too small for the internal parts. This will be most noticeable at the inner quarter by the wall becoming straight or drawn in sharply a little below the hair, the part at which the split invariably occurs. This is proved by the fact that the tions and Riveted togetlier to Prevent Contraction. Fig. 531. Figs. 533, 534, 535. — Different Forms of Shoes for Cure of Contraction. quarter is most liable to burst or split when the hoof is dry and hard, or when concussion is increased by driving on hard roads. This tendency to split is also increased by the inferior quality of horn grown ; because the contraction of the parts, or pressing of the wall in against the soft parts, so obstructs the circulation that there HllOEING. 367 ')'■%. — Ordinary English Shoe. is not sufficient blood to grow sound, tough, healthy horn. On this account the only reliable and practical cure is opening the quarters sufficiently to remove pressure until the new horn is grown, which can be done to any degree desired, as follows : First, cut down be- tween the bar and the frog of the inner quarter, as explained for contraction, until it will yield readily to pressure. Next cut away the edges of the wall to the end of the split ; then make a crease with the firing-iron at the edge of the hair. If the spilt ex- tends well up into the coronary band, this can be omitted, and in- stead, the iron touched lengthways with the split. If, however, the quarter is properly opened, such inter- ference with the firing- iron will be unneces- sary, as the horn would usually grow down sound without it. Now, fit a shoe as explained for contrac- tion, putting a clip only upon the inner side (as shown in Fig. oSo . The opposite side is to be nailed well back to counter- balance it. When the shoes are nailed on, with the spreaders open the quarter all Fig. 537.— Bearing surface of Ordinary English Shoe. 368 SHOEING. it will bear without producing soreness, or about a quarter of an inch. This done, fill the crack with a little melted resin or tallow, over which put a little tow to prevent gravel or dirt from working into the quick. It is next advisable to stimulate the growth of tough, healthy horn. This can be done with hoof liniment, which should be put on, as explained, two or three times a week. The hoof should not be permitted to become dry or hard, which can be easily prevented by stopping with flaxseed-meal and tying two or three thicknesses of blanket around the foot, and keeping wet while standing in the stable. The horse, if necessary, can be put to work as usual. In the course of a few days, spread a little more, or as Fig. 538. Fig. 539. Forms of Spring Used for Spreading the Quarters. much as may be necessary to make the hoof sufficiently wide to re- move all pressure from the weak part. When grown down, the cause will be removed. If an ordinary case, with but little drawing in of the quarters, simply lower the inside quarter a little so as to remove pressure from the upper edge of the wall, and put on a level shoe. Next, with a firing-iron burn a slight crease across the upper edge of the wall, keeping the foot soft, and stimulating the growth by applications of hoof liniment. This will enable growing the wall down without its splitting back. But if the quarter is drawn in perceptibly, then in addition to the creasing, the quarter must be given entire freedom, by cutting down between the bar and frog. The details of a very in- teresting case, and explanations of how I learned this method of treat- ment, and its success, will be found in connection with this part of treatment in my special work on the horse. s::oEixG. 369 Fig. 540. -Hinge Bar Shoe for Cure of Contraction. Sand Crack, or Fissure at the Toe. This is usually the result of a diseased condition or ulceration of the upper anterior part of the coffin-bone, caused by injury to the part. In a large number of dissections made by Mr. Gamgee, to whom I am indebted fc treatment here given, he found cases of the pyramidal process to be common, and a depression down in front to be also frequent. The front of such feet is weak and deficient both in hoof and bone. The bottom of the foot must have nothing removed from it except to level it down at the quarters. The front of the hoof should be left rather long and deep, the shoe to come well back under the quarters, and clips to be taken up, one on each side of the toe. \\'hen the shoe is applied, the clips are neither to be let into the wall nor roughly hammered up to it, but to be drawn just tight enough to support and hold the part firm. For treatment of the fissure, take tar and resin one ounce and tallow a quarter of an ounce, and melt together. Apply this while warm to the fis- sure of the hoof and coronet, then place a layer of tow over this dressing, and bind the wall of the foot with a broad tape, to support its position and keep the part firm. A cure in bad cases is not to be expected. Corns. Corns are usually to be found at the inner heel, or at the angle be- tween the bar and the crust, and are caused by the shoe pressing upon the part. This will be most likely to occur should the wall break down, or be cut away so much as to let the shoe rest upon the sole, or should the shoe be nailed well back on the outside and toe, as then, if left on too long, it will be drawn outward and forward so much that the inner heel will be 2-1 a Fig. .541. — Spring Inside Shoe Riveted to Toe Part for Expanding Quarters. 370 SHOE INC drawn under the quarter, and rest upon this part, bruising it. When the sensitive sole is thus bruised, the effused blood mixes with the horny matter and makes a red spot, and if the irritation is contin- ued so as to produce very much inflammation, ulcera- tion may take place, which would, in some cases, be suf- ficient to affect the inner wing of the coffin-bone, and cause matter to break out at the coronet. Sometimes when Fig. 543. — Showing the Effect upon the Pedal Bone of Sole Bulging Down. the quarter is very much contracted, the space between the bar and quar- ter being greatly lessened, it causes such bruising or pressure upon the soft parts as to excite inflammation, or cause a corn. The usual remedy is to cut away the parts so that the shoe will not rest upon it, and put on a little caustic, or touch it with a hot iron, which destroys sensibility, and changes the condition of secretion. Butter of antimony or salts of niter are favorite remedies ; then melt in a little tar, resin, and tallow, and cover with a little tow to prevent gravel or dirt working into the tender part. The usual way in severe cases, is to put on a bar shoe, so as to enable removing all pressure from the sore part. This mode of treatment, how- ever, as usually done, is onl}' pallia- tive, not curative. The horse will travel better, but if the shoe is left on a little too long, or presses upon the part in the least, or should gravel or Fig. .543.- Representation of the Last Six Bones of the Foot. Showing Great Change of Structure SUOEIXG. 371 Fig. 544. — Showing Bearing- surface of Shoe Shown in Fig. 544. dirt accumulate between the part and the shoe, inflammation and lameness will follow. The only remedy for this is to remove the pressure. But in time by this treatment the difficulty is only aggravated and made worse. Hence the usual assertion that " corns cannot be cured." Gifford, one of my old performing horses, had a very bad bruise (corn) on one of his inner heels, which, if not care- fully attended to, caused serious lameness. After being troubled with it about seven years, it had grown to such proportions as to involve the entire angle at the heel, so that the horn was broken quite through, and the sensitive structure partly ulcerated. At the close of the season's business, there was considerable inflamma- tion and soreness in the entire foot. All palliative measures having failed, it finally occurred to me to try the experiment of re- moving all pressure from the part, and turning the horse out to grass. But there was another serious difficulty, to which, in part, some of the soreness might be at- tributed. By the contraction or curling under of the outer heel, it had become so weak that it could scarcely be made to 'iupport his weight in traveling, so I decided Id treat this at the same time. The divis- 1 )n between the bar and frog of this side ' -as well thinned out to make the quarter flexible. Next a thin shoe of untempered steel, a little more than an eighth of an inch thick, was made to fit accurately to the wall (as shown b)' Fig. 588), the end being turned up for a clip, and fitted nicely to its place. The part of the op- posite heel of the shoe coming over the corn, was entirch' cut away, leaving simply sufficient to cover the wall, which at this point was very thin. The shoe was now fastened on sufficienth' to hold it firmly in place, but with very small nails. Fig. 54.5. — Form of Concave Shoe Used by the French for Expanding the Quarters. 372 SIIOEIXG. There was no rasping or attempt to beautify the foot in any way. Figs. 586 and 5S9 give a very good idea of the appearance of the foot before and after the shoe was put on. The quarter was now care- <^ _^^ "".^ ^\ fully opened about three eighths of Fici. 346. Ki.,, .-,47. Devices for Cure of Contraction Used by tlie French. an inch, without causing any irritation. Nothing was put ovv .le bruise or corn, nor was it meddled with in any way. The horse was now turned out to grass daily. At first he moved very tenderly, though not lame. In a week the heel was again opened a little more, and again at intervals until opened out as desired. In a few weeks the tenderness, fever, and in- flammation subsided ; and at the expiration of three months the corn was entirely cured, there being a healthy growth of sole over the part, leaving only a slight appearance Fig. .548. — Screw for Spreading Shoe. Fig. 549.— The Shoe as Adjusted. of redness, on account of not being entirely grown out. The con- tracted quarter was also out to its natural position, the change for the better in all respects being very gratifying. An ordinarj^ flat shoe was now put on, when he traveled as well as ever. The ma- SHOEING. 373 Fig. 550— The Shoe Made Wider Ihan Foot, with Clips at the Heels for Opening the Quarters. A French Device. jority of such cases can be easily cured while the horse is kept at his usual work, by putting on an open shoe if the foot will bear it, if not, a light bar shoe, with the part coming under the corn en- tirely cut away, leaving only sufficient to cover the wall. It will not matter whether the bar is cut away or not, as there will be nothing over it to harbor gravel or dirt. It would be ad- visable to fit the shoe carefully, or even drive two or three nails, to know exactly the position of the shoe upon the wall. Then mark the part to be cut out, when the nails can be pulled out, the part cut or filed away properly, and the shoe again nailed in place. Th'" success in the treatment of the case referred to, led me to belie- I had made an important discovery, as I had not found it laid down by any authorities on .shoeing. Since then, upon in- vestigation, I have found that the principle was well understood by many old authorities, though the method of treatment, as will be seen, was slightly different. On page 96 of Freeman's work on "Shoeing," published in 1796, he says : — I have frequently bouglit horses whose feet, on examination, proved to have corns, occasioned by ill-made shoes hav- ing pressed upon them. These were, in general, easily cured by paring the feet properly where the grievance lay, and turning the horse out without shoes for two or three months. In the supplement to Coleman's work, pub- lished in 1802, the writer found, for the cure of corns, the shoe cut away over the corn, as shown by Fig. 587. Bracy Clark's work, published in 1809, gives an illustration of a shoe with that part which would come over the corn entirely cut away. Fig. 551. — Form of Screw Used by the French for Spreading the Shoe. 374 SHOEING. The half-moon shoe, or tip, by Lafosse, referred to hereafter, is claimed to cure corns. Caesar Fiaschi, of the sixteenth century, gives a figure of a three-quarter shoe, almost the same form as that of Bracy Clark's, for this trouble. White's work, published in 1820, says : — The only thing to be done is to take off the shoe, and turn the horse out to grass. In slight cases, however, this may not be absolutely necessary, and is often inconvenient, but it is by far the best plan, and I may add, perhaps the only effectual one, when a radical cure is desired. Fig. .552. — French Convex Shoe. Weak Heels. If from any cause there has been much fever in the feet for some time, in conse- quence of being driven on hard roads, or being partially foundered, there will be diminished supply of horn, so that the wall will not only grow slower, but thinner. (See reference to inflammation and Figs. 555, 556.) Sometimes the heels are cut down so closely that should the shoe work loose, and wear or break down the quarters, it would be Fio. .5.55.— Bracy Clark's Convex Shoe. From his Book Published in 1819. Fig. 5.54. — Ordinary Convex Shoe. easy to produce a weak, low condition of the heels. This ma}- cause a great deal of trouble, on account of the slowness with which the horn grows to supply the increased wear. This morbid condition of SHOEI^^G. 375 inflammation also produces another very marked effect, namely, that of sep- arating the wall from the sole, or what is termed becoming shelly. Sometimes, if the shoes are badly fitted and made too wide at the heels (as explained un- der the head of " Contraction "), they will soon cause a weak, bad condition of the heels, the quarter gradually giv- ing way or breaking down ; and if the foot is at all flat, the sole and frog be- come liable to settle, or are made con- vex. One of the most marked cases of this kind the writer ever saw was that of a cart-horse, brought to his notice in Central Pennsylvania. The feet were broad and flat, with the heels drawn in to a point so that there was scarcely any bearing of them upon the shoe. The result Fig. .5.5.';.— The Foot of a Pony that had been Calked, Referred to in Text, after the Inflammation had Subsided. Growing Nearly a Quarter of an Inch Larger. Fio. 5.56. — The Foot Drawn In and Deformed from Long-continued In- flammation Caused by a Nail be- ing Driven into Iha Foot, the Hoof Growing About Half an Inch Larger after the In- flammation Subsided. of this was that the horn wore or broke away until the line of bearing was over an inch above that of the frog. To remedy the difficulty the calks were raised correspondingly high to keep the frog from the ground. (See Fig. 594.) This horse traveled with great diffi- culty, even on a walk. The course most likely to give suc- cess in the management of these cases, is to use a wide shoe that will give a large bearing-surface to the weak parts, and sustain them. Of course, nothing more should be cut away from the heels than is sufficient to only level them a little. Special care should be taken to prevent them from breaking and wearing down by the shoe, which may be done by placing a piece of leather between the bearing-surface and shoe. As the horn will usually be 376 SHOEING. very brittle and weak, it is advisable to use great care in fitting the shoe, with thin clips on each side. At any rate, the shoe must be fastened on so firmly that it will not get loose. In some cases it may be necessary to bring the bar down so as to enable a more accurate line of ad- justment to the shoe and frog. When in Massachusetts, in 1876, a leading horseman called my attention to a fast-trotting stallion that had weak feet, and which caused him a great deal of trouble. He wished to know how to shoe them so as to improve their con- dition. I found the feet in good shape, but the sole and wall were very thin and weak, the effect, undoubtedly, of the horse being slightly foundered or over- heated. I advised putting on a shoe that would support the sole and frog, the space between the shoe and frog to be packed with oakum. He objected that this would not do, as the horse would not bear any pressure at all upon the Some time afterward m^• Fig. 557. — Shoe for Cure of Con traction. Devised by the Writer. sole. attention was called to a very high indorsement from this gen- tleman of a certain form of patent shoe that had been used on this horse. It stated that it enabled the horse to travel as well as ever, and that its utility was all that could be desired. I was interested to know just what kind of a shoe had been used, and when again in that vicinity, I found one at con- siderable trouble, of which I give an accurate drawing. (See Fig. 598.) While it may be evident that in many such cases the shoe could be made to support the en- tire sole, if hammered out of iron. Fig. 558. — The Shoe Adjusted. SHOEING. the increased weight would make it seriously objectionable. The fitting of a thin piece of steel plate, as shown in Fig. 598, would en- able this to be done with but little addition to its weight. The manner of putting it on was simply by bringing the whole sur- face of the wall ana frog to an even bearing, to which the shoe was carefully adjusted. Next, the space between the shoe and bottom of the foot was filled with oakum, to which was added a little tar and resin, so as to form an even but firm support all the waj- round. '^ The draw- ing of the oakum, as it ap- pears in Fig. 601, is an ex- act illustration of that which was used upon the shoe named, though onl)- the back part of it is shown. Parties who had used the shoe upon feet which had become sore and tender from driving upon hard, stony roads in the city and neighborhood, stated that it enabled the horses to travel much better. If the foot is sore and sensitive, supporting it with a bed of oakum in this way will serve to break concussion, and consequently make the horse go better for a time. But for contraction, quar- ter-crack, coffin-joint lame- ness, etc., for which it was advertised as a cure, it cannot benefit beyond the effect of slightly breaking concussion, as explained. It would be just the thing for weak heels and for any condition *A preparation of tar, beeswax, liard soap, and resin, melted and formed into a salve, to be used witli oakum as a packing, was given the writer by a horseman of much experience, as the best for this purpose, claiming that it softened the feet and stimulated the secretion of horn. Fig. .559. — Spreaders in Position to Open the Heels. 378 HHOElXa. Fig. otjn, — Back View of a Hoof Greatly Contracted, the Effect of Long^con- tinued Inflammation. where the sole and frog need sup- port. As it is, however, seriously objectionable to cover the whole bottom of the foot when it can be avoided, I include cuts of an im- provement by which the whole bearing-surface of the frog and heels, the important parts, can be supported without the sole being excluded from moisture or air, which is important for the secretion of healthy horn. In such a case, if desired, the plate instead of being let to the inner edge, can be ex- tended across the quarter so that the upper surface will come even with the shoe, and be riveted on. Interfering. The main point in the management of interfering is to have the shoe close under the wall at the point of striking, and the offend- ing part shortened or straight- ened a little, and to have no nails driven there, the clinches of which would soon rise and cause cutting. The edge of the shoe should be bev- eled under a little, and filed smooth. There is usually a good deal of carelessness in letting the shoe extend outside the crust at the point of the heel. It should set well under the wall all the way round, and the wall be filed smoothl}- to it. In addition, in some cases, the horse will travel better to lower the inside heel a little ; in others, to raise it. It is in all cases Fig. 5(!1. -Showing two Openings Caused advisable, however, if the horse by Corns. SHOEIXG. 379 Fig. 562.— Shoe as Nailed on to be Spread. can be made to travel without striking, to keep the adjustment natural by paring- the foot level and making the shoe of an equal thickness all the \va\' round, with perhaps the inner part straightened a little. Sometimes colts driven to a sulky, when a little leg-weary, may strike badly ; in such a case the ankle must be protected. In all cases where the ankle is cut, the swelling and sore- ness increase the difficulty, and should be guarded against by cov- ering. If the irritation is kept up, and this is not done, it may result in permanent enlargement of the part, which would afterward increase the liability to be hit. This can be prevented only by coverings, or by being protected by the ordinary sim- ple means, until the inflammation subsides and the injury heals. Prof. McLellan says on this sub- ject : — Treatment for interfering, to be rational, must take into account tlie causations. Thus, if the toes turn out — a very common cause of interfering — they should be in- clined in all that is possible. This can be accomplished by bending the outside web of the shoe from its inner to its outer border, making the edge through which the nails are driven, quite thiu. Or if calks are used, the toe-calk can be welded nearer the inside than the outside toe, and the toe-calk beveled at the expense of its outer extremity. If the knee is banged, but light shoes are indicated. Lightness in the shoe is always desirable in the hind feet, and if the season of the year permits, tips will be found very effective in pre- vention of interfering. The nails should be left out of the hoof at the point where it strikes, because the clinches are liable to become raised or loosened, and do in- jury- Clicking, or Overreaching.* Fig. 563. — As the Heels Appear after Being Spread. This is a term applied to the striking of the hind shoes against the forward ones during progres.sion. It maj' be due either * Contributed by Prof. McLellan. 380 SHOEIXG. Fig. 504.— Badly Contracted Foot. Tlie Lines B B Stiow tlie Degree to wtiicti the Foot may in Time be Spread. to a faulty conformation, to weak- ■ ness, or to disease. In seeking to remedy the defect, we must en- deavor to discover its cause. If it is due to defective form, we may so adjust the hoofs and apply the shoes that the feet shall be placed upon the ground in such relation to the body as to modify in some measure the fault of form. In- some cases the toes of the forward feet must be reduced all that is possible, and the toes of the hind feet lengthened. In others, weights or heavy shoes upon the forward feet answer a good purpose. In some. Weights upon the outside of the hind feet overcome the diffi- culty. If the hind feet are placed upon the ground well forward when the animal is at rest, heel-calks of fxtra length will be found useful. "Weakness, as a cause of click- ing, is shown in colts and in horses that have diseased hind feet. In the first, the animal is not able, or has not learned, to dwell upon the hind feet to give to the body that forward impulse that comes from the longpvsh; in the second, pain prevents the extension. In the case of the colt, shoeing must be supplemented by good driving. — the animal should be kept up to the bit, and the head well checked up, and should not be fatigued b}' overdriving. In the case where the clicking depends upon a diseased condition of the foot or leg, the removal of the cause is the indication. As general rules for the prevention of clicking, the toe of the forward hoof should be re- duced all that it will bear ; the shoe should be short, both at the toe and heel ; the heels of the shoe should be beveled at the expense of its ground surface ; when the toe should be beveled, giving the shoe, when applied. the apjiearance of one partly worn. In maii\' cases concaving the ground surface of the shoe is useful. If the toes are long and the heels extremely low, thick-heeled shoes or heel-calks are indicated. The hind shoes should be light, and long at the heels, giving the heels of the shoe as wide a bearing as possible. In case the toe Fig. 56- Simple Form ef Shoe for Spreading the Quarters. CAUSES OF INJURY. 381 of the hind foot is much worn, and as a consequence the hoof spread at its plantar surface, clips should be drawn up from each side of the shoe, so as to grasp the wall at its widest part. No attempt should be made to fit the shoe to the squared and shortened toe ; but give it the natural form, and let it project at the toe to that extent that would indicate the length of the hoof were it unworn. Heel-calks upon the hind shoes .are :i|)|ilicnlile to nearly all cases. In all cases of overreaching or click- ing, adjusting the hoof and shoe so that the inside quarter and toe of the hoof are higher than the outside, will assist in overcoming the difficulty. Stumbling. Stumbling is usually associated with some diseased condition of the foot. In the prevention of this disagreeable ^ Pig. 500. — An Outline of Mr. Roberge'S Spring, with its Position on the Foot. Fi(i. .507.— Thick- ness of Spring. Full Size. Fig. 568.— Width of Bar. Full Size. and dangerous habit, particular attention must be given to cutting the hoof. Reduce the hoof all it will bear without injury ; see that the hoof is of equal depth on each side of the toe. This you can ascertain best by standing in front of the horse and comparing the two sides. In fitting the shoe, bend up the toe, giving it the rounded appearance of one well worn. If calks must be used, weld toe-calk back to inner margin of web, making it low. In the stable use wet swabs to the feet. Shoeing Foundered Horses. If the mobility of the foot is destroyed, as the result of chronic founder, or other cause of morbid inflammation, mobility must be aided by rounding the entire shoe or toe. If the foot is entirely stiff, the shoe must be so formed that it will roll upon the ground, which can be easily done by leaving the inner edge of each side wide, and turning down in a half circle, as shown in Fig. 609. If the sole is broken down, or the wall separated at the toe, the result of acute inflammation or founder, weight will be thrown more upon the heels. For such cases the shoe must be so fitted as to ex- tend well back under the heels ; and if the sole is thin at the toe — bulging down — it may be supported by letting a thin flange of iron 382 SHOEI.XG. extend well back under it ; or fitting a steel plate across the part so as to give an even support all the way round, and the adjustment made easy by packing with oakum, though in most cases the sole will not bear pressure, and is simply to be protected by a wide shoe. The shoeing of such feet must be in a great measure experimental; consequently the ingenu- ity of the owner or smith must be exercised to con- form with best advantage to the condition of the case. First, do nothing that will irritate or make the foot sore. It simply must be supported to the best advantage, and the mo- bility aided by rounding the toe, or setting the calks well back under it. Special Causes of Ixjurv.* Fig. 569. — Roberge's Best Form of Shoe to Aid the Mobility of the Foot in Lameness. Fig. .570.— Side View of the Above, Showing the Curve. I add references to a few authorities, showing the bad effect of paring the sole and frog excessively^ rasping the outer surface of the hoof, and the use of thick, badly-fitting shoes. I will call attention first to the most prominent authority. Prof Coleman, from whose teach- ings all the modern works in this country have been principally guided in their instruction. In January, 1792, a Veterin- ary College was started in London. A short time after- ward Edward Coleman was appointed Chief Professor. I cannot do better here than to copy from Prof Gamgee's work on " Shoeing," pub- *The illustratiODS in this article overrun the text, and this will explain why they are not placed opposite the matter referring to them. Fig. .571 —An Exact Scale of the Curve of the Above Shoe. Fig. 572. — Cross-section of the Same. CAUSES OF INJURY. 383 lished in London in 1874, in relation to Coleman's teaching sa}'s : — He Fig. 573. — Ordinary Form of Rolling Motion Shoe. ■ lu England, since Prof. Cole- man ruthlessly destroyed tbe em- pirical knowledge of the old mas- ters, and substituted for it a system of fantastic and often cruel no- tions, we have been a prey to end- less speculative theories. The result is that with the best horses in the world, we have a far larger proportion of lame ones than are to be found in any other coun- '■^y- * * * "It was a kind of teaching on the foot and on shoeing that did the incalculable and, I fear, almost irreparable damage which has brought suffering on horses and shortened their ex- ^Z;>>v,^ y~^ istence, which has spoiled farriers, ^^v;;;~~,.^^_^ ^^__^..^^^^ by leading them astray on false '^ pretexts, and has entailed dis- PiG. 574.— Cross-section of the Same. credit on the English Veterinary School. * * * " One change, among others introduced by Mr. Coleman, has entailed, I believe, a more lasting damage on the art farriery than any of his many oth- er crochets, which have unfortu- nately become thoroughly parts of English horse-shoeing. He intro- duced the drawing-knife, and made it supercede the buttress for preparing the feet for shoeing. The buttress is the instrument still in use for paring down the wall surface to receive the shoe everywhere except in England and parts of the New World, to which English hands and language have carried our modes of shoeing, such as it has become only within the present century. " Old men can remember the buttress's being in general use throughout Great Britain ; but the way it was banished from English practice is known to few ; and its supercedence, and these remarks on the effects of the change, may astonish many. The drawing-knife, or searcher, as it was called, a small, hooked. Fig. 575. — Side View, Showing Degree of Curve. Fig. 576. — Ground Surface of Above, Showing Method of Putting on Calkins. 3S4 SHOEING. Fi(i. -Quarter-crack. crooked little instrument, was formerly kept for the purpose of exploring wounds and extracting foreign liodies from the foot, and was to that extent in vogue on the Con- tinent as well as in England. But theorizing, and a fancy for a change, led the professor to order the general use of the little hooked knife instead of such a broad, level tool as the buttress. He had unfortunately conceived such notions as that the sole of the foot did not bear the weight of the animal, that it was necessary to pare it thin every time the horse was shod, and that I lie broad, level buttress was not suited for tliat ; hence the preference for the little scoop- ing, crooked searcher. As these incidents have had a disastrous effect on shoeing, which we have scarcely in any degree begun to re- lieve, I will iiunte frcMU Mr. Coleman's work of ITUS; — "'Those who supposed that the weight of the animal was chieflj- supported by the horny ^'ilc. have attributed a function to that organ A hich it does not possess ; but, although the l.iiuinro are capable of sustainmg the animal, yet, as they are elastic, and at every step elon- gate, the horny sole is necessarily pressed down in the same degree, and by first descending and tlien ascending, as the laminjc dilate and contract, the horny sole contriliutes very materially to prevent concussion. This union of the crust with the coffln-bone sustains the weight of the animal ; the crust supports the weight even when the horny sole and frog are removed ; if the sole and frog in reality supported the weight, tlien the foot would .slip through tlie cru.st when the frog and sole were takpn away, " ' The sole, frog, and bars were taken away from both the fore feet of a horse ; the feet were then alternately lifted by placing the hands on the loins of the horse ; he kicked, all his weight was then sustained by the lamina; of the fore feet, and yet this made not the smallest degree of change in the situations of the bones. " • From tliis experiment, therefore, it is, that tlie union of the sensitive lamintp with the liorny lamina; is sufflciently strong to sujjport the whole weight of the animal on two feet. " ' The first thing to be attended to is to take away the portion of the sole with the drawing-knife ; and to avoid pressure, the sole should be made con- cave or hollow. If there be any one part of the practice of shoeing more important than the rest, it is this removal of the sole between the bars and the crust. In common practice these parts are removed by an instrument called the buttress. " ' The removal of a proper quantity of horny sole lias been re]iresentcd to be a Fio. -French Shoe. SHOEING. 385 delicate operation, and in the hands of common smiths liable to do mischief. But any smith capable of paring a hoof cannot fail to be equal to removing part of the sole with the drawing-knife. That the practice may be failhfully executed in the army, a farrier from each regiment of cavalry has been permitted to attend the col- lege to learn the practical part of shoeing.' " The foregoing i)assages, abounding as they do in errors, give evidence of the manner in which some of the greatest changes in the prac- tice of horseshoeing have occurred since its history has been written, and changes which have led to the worst pos- sible results. Once, however, the notion got jjossession of the minds of the men at the wheel, that IIk; bottom of the foot, its arched sole, was not designed to support the weight, but to yield to pressure downward ; e ve ry - thing had to give way to that idea. The sole and frog were torn away, and because, during the barbarous experiment, the con- nection did not yield, and the bone torn glove, negative evidence was taken in confirmation of tlie theory framed ; the paring away of the horses' soles with the drawing knife was tliu.s estab- lished, and the army, by sending farriers to learn the new system, became the means of enforcing the absurd and cruel practice of thinning the sole throughout this kingdom and the colonies. "It is interesting to see the differently constituted mind of Mr. Moorcroft on the natural bearing of the question in 1800. He says : — " ' The sole ties the lower edge of the crust together, and by its upper part forming a strong arch, it affords a firm basis to the bone of the foot, and by its strength it defends the sensitive parts within the hoof.' "This is true. We fail to discover a single in any work or any Fig. 79. —An Old Quarter-crack Grown Down. Fro. .'580.— Quarter-crack. protrude like a finger through Fifi. .581. -Toe-crack. Fio. ^>K. — Toe-crack. traditional account to show that any objection was raised to the continuance of the use of the buttress in England, any more than over the rest of the world, where it had been adopted from time immemo- rial, until, along with his other new theories about shoe- ing, Mr. Coleman believed it to be the wrong thing to employ, and then a crooked knife and a coar.se rasp were adopted as weapons that might do more de- structive execution than the one dismissed." George Fleming, in his work on "Shoes and Horse-shoeing," says : — " This evil of paring or rasping must be looked upon as the greatest and most destructive of all that pertains to shoeing, or even to our management of the horse. 386 SHOEING. Nine tenths of the workmen who resort to this jmictice cannot explain its object, and those who have written in defense of it say it is to allow the descent of the sole and facilitate the lateral expansion of the hoof. ■'Fan('y our gardeners cutting and rasping the bark off our fniil-trces, to assist them in their natural functions, and improve their appearance ; and yet the bark is of no more vital importunco to the tree than the horn of the sole wall and frog are to the horse's foot. Fiu. 5y:i — Quarter-crack. Fig. 584.— Effect of Founder. " The sole, froy, and bars must on no account, nor under any conditions, unless those- of a pathological nature, he interfered with in any way by knife or rasp. As certainly as they are interfered with, and their substance reduced, so surely will the hoof he injured. Nature has made every provision for the defense. They will support tlie contact of hard, soft, rugged, or even sharp bodies, if allowed to escape the drawing- knife ; while hot, cold, wet, or even dry weather has little or no influence on the in- terior of the foot, or on the tender horn, if man does not step in to beautify the feet by robbing them of their protection, perhaps merely to please the fancy of an ig- norant groom or coachman. /'^\^^\ /•'~\ " If ^0 closely examine the u]yier surface X f \ I \ of the sole of a hoof that has been separated '' l^^ V \ from its contents by maceration, we will find it perforated everywhere by myriads of mi- nute apertures, which look as if they had been formed by the point of a fine needle. If we look al.so at the vascular parts of the foot that have been in contact with this horny surface, il will be observed that they have been closely studded with exceedingly fine, yet somewhat long, filaments, as thickly set as a pile of the richest Genoa velvet. These are the villi, or papilhe, which enter the horny cavity, and lilting into them like so many fingers into a glove, constitute the secretory apparatus of the frog as well as the sole. Each of the filaments forms a born tube or fibre, and pass- es to a certain depth in a protecting canal whose corneous wall it builds. When injected with some colored preparation, one of them makes a beautiful microscopical object, appearing as a long, tapering net-work q\ blood-vessels, surrounding one or two parent trunks, and communicating with each other in a most wonderful manner. These filaments are also organs of tact, each Fig. 58.').— Shoe for Quarter-crack. CAUSES OF IXJURY. .•'.S7 fiMil with llic^ allrihuU nil' cxlcnt, llic iiiiiimnl of iii- (lil'cnse iiiul support boing ru- r llicse villi cut tlirough, tlio ciiiilMiiiini,' cnvity of each vils- containing a sensitive ncrvr, destined to endow tin tactile organ. "This distribution will enable us to realize, to f jury done by ])arin)j;. The horn thrown out for tin moved by the farrier's knife, and pcrha|)8 tlu! ends meager pelliele renuiining rapidly shrivel eular Inl'l as nuiekly contracts on tin- vessels and nerves, which, in their turn, diminish in volume, disappear, or be- come morbidly sensitive, through this squeezing influence. The feet of a horse so treated are always hot, the soles ar(^ dry and stony, and become unnaturally concave. The animal goes tender afli r each shoeing, and It is not until the horn has been regenerated to a certain ex tent, that he steps with anything like ease. Until the new material has been formed, each [japilli experiences the same amount of inconvenience and suflering that a hu- man foot does in a new, tight b(jol. "This tenderness is usually ascribed to the nails and other causes ; and the horse, in the stable, rests on one foot, then on the other, as if he sullered uneasiness or pain. * * * " All the pre|)aration any kind of 'foot usually reijuires for the shoe may be summed up in a few words ; leveling the crust in conformity with the limb and foot, and removing as much of its margin as will restore it to its natural li^ngth, rounding its outer edge at the same time, and leaving the sole, bars, frog, anil heels in all their natural integrity." O.smer, ati old writer of good staiidinj^, in 17r)l said : — " I believe there are many hor.ses that might travel their whole lifetime unshod on any road, if they were rasped round and short on the toe ; because all feet exposed to hard objects become thereby more obdurate, if the sole be never pared ; and some, by their particular form, depth, and strength, are able to resist them quite, and to support the weight without breaking ; anil Ihtc a very little reflection will teach us whence the custom arose of shoeing horses in one part of the world and not in another. In Asia there is no such custom of shoeing the horsi; at all, because the feet acquire a very obdurate and firm texture from the dryness of Iho climate and the soil, and do really want no defense. But every rider has a rasp to sliorten his horse's feet, which would otherwise grow long and rude, and the crust of the hoof would most certainly split." Fio. 580. — GIfford's Foot as it Appeared Before Treatment. Fio. 587.— Shoe Fitted for Cur ing Corns. From Coleman. SHOEIXfJ. Pig. 588.— Position of the Spreaders for Opening the Quarter. He continues by saying, — '• From the good tliat was found to arise from putting shoes on horses which have naturally weak feet from being brought up on wet land, the custom of putting «hoes on all kinds of feet became general in some countries. Our ancestors, the original shoers, proposed nothing more, I dare say, in their first ef- forts, than to preserve the crust from breaking waj', and thought themselves happy that they had skill enough so to do. The mod- erns also are wisely content with this in the racing waj'. " In process of time the fertility of invention and the vanity of man- kind have produced a variety of methods ; almost all of which are productive of lameness ; and I am thoroughly convinced from obser- vation and experience, that nine- teen lame horses out of every twenty are lame of the artist, which is ow- ing to the form of the shoe, his ig- norance of the design of nature, and maltreatment of the foot, every part of which is made for some purpose or other, though he does not know it. "I suppose it will be universally assented to, that whatever method of shoeing approaches nearest to the law of na- ture, such is likely to be the most perfect method.* * * "The superfices of the foot around the outside, now made plane and smooth, the shoe is to be made quite tlat, of an equal thickness all around the outside, and open and most narrow backward at the extremities of the heels ; for the gen- erality of horses, those whose frogs are diseased, either from natural or inciden- tal causes, require the shoe to be wider backwards ; and to prevent this flat shoe from pressing on the sole of the horse, the outer part thereof is to be made thickest, and the inside gradually thin- ner. In such a shoe the frog is permit- ted to touch the ground, the necessity of which has already been seen. Added to this, the horse stands more firmly upon the ground, having the same points of support as in a natural state. " Make the shoes as light as you can according to the size of your horse, because heavy shoes spoil the back sinews and weary the horse ; and if he happen to over- reach, the shoes, being heavy, are all the more rapidly pulled off. Fig. 589. — The Shoe as it Appeared when on. with the Quarters Opened Out. CAUSES OF INJUMY. 38& " Those who think it frugalit}- to shoe with thiclv and heavy shoes, and seldom, are deceived, for they lose more by it than they gain ; for thereby they not only spoil the back sinews, but lose more by it than if they had been light." It is conceded by all the best modern authorities that the French author above referred to, whose work was published in 1750, was the great father of a correct system of reform in shoeing. It was supposed in his day, as it is in a great measure now, that a Fig. 592.— Flat, Convex Sole. Fig. 590, 591. — Sand-crack, or Fissure in Front of Hoof. A deep substance ot horn is found beneath the fissure at the lower part of the hoof, where a corresponding cavity is formed by absorption in the coffin-bone. horse could not travel without having heavy, unwieldy shoes on, and that the greatest skill was exhibited in the amount of cutting and rasping done on the feet. He boldly proclaimed that all this was injurious, and tried to prove it by the most convincing arguments. The principles of treatment, though given a hundred and thirty years ago, are just as important now as they were then. He says : — "In the state of nature, all the inferior parts of the foot concur to sustain the weight of the body ; then we observe that the heels and frog, the parts said to be most ex- posed, are never damaged by wear, that the wall or crust is alone worn on going on hard ground, and that it is only this part which must be protected, leaving the other parts free and unfettered in their natural movements." -Flat, Weak Sole. 390 SHOEING. Fig. 594. — Foot Referred to in Text as it Appeared. In advising tips or thin-heeled shoes, he says : — " Tliin tips extending back to the middle of tbe quarters, allow the heels to bear upon tbe ground, and tbe weight to be sustained behind and liefore, but partic- ularly in the latter, because the weight of the body falls heaviest there. • " The shorter the shoe is. the less tbe horse slips, and tbe frog has tbe same influ- ence in preventing this that an old hat placed under our own shoes would have in protecting us from slipping on the ice. * * * "It is necessary, neverthe- less, that hoofs which have weak walls should be a little longer shod, so that the grad- ually thinning branches reach to the heels, though not resting upon them. For horses which have convex soles, these long shoes should also be used, and the toes should be more covered to prevent the sole touch- ing the ground. This is the only true method of preserving the foot and restoring it. A horse which has its feet weak and sensitive, ought to be shod as short as pos- sible, and with thin branches, so that tbe frog comes in contact with the ground ; because the heels, having nothing between them, are benefited and relieved. (See Fig. 479.) " Crescent shoes are all the more needful for a horse which has weak, incurvated quarters, as they not only relieve them, but also restore them to their natural condition. Horses which have contusion at the heels (Wains, corns), should also be shod in this way ; and for cracks (seime, sand-cracks) at the quarter, it is also advantageous, "Tbe sole or frog should never be pared ; the Tvall alone should be cut down, if it is too long, TVhen a horse cuts himself with tbe op- posite foot, the inner branch of the shoe ought to be shorter and thinner than the outer, "Rasping the foot destroys tbe strength of the hoof, and consequently causes its horn to become dry, and tbe horny laminse beneath to grow weak ; from this often arises an internal inflam- mation, which renders the foot painful, and makes the horse go lame, * * » .595. — The Shoe as it may be Fitted to Support Weak Heels. CAUSES OF INJURY. 591 Fig. 596. — Points Showing where the Horn is Strongest to Drive the Nails In. " When a liorse loses a shoe, a circumstance often occurring, if the hoof is pared, the animal cannot walk a hundred steps without going lame : because in this state the lower surface of the foot being hollowed, the horse's weight falls upon the crust, and this, having no support from the horny sole, is (luickly broken and worn away ; and if he meets hard substances on the road, he all the more speedily be- comes lame. It is not so when the sole is al- lowed to retain its whole strength. The shoe comes off, but the sole and frog resting on the ground, assist the crust in bearing the whole weight of the body, and the animal, though unshod, is able to pursue his journey safe and sound It is necessary to be convinced of another fact ; that, is, it is rare that a horse goes at his pase and is not promptly fatigued, if the frog does not touch the ground. As it is the only point of sup- port, if you raise it from the ground by paring it, there arises an inordinate e.xtensiou of the tendon, caused by the pushing of the cor- onary against the navicular bone, as has been mentioned above, and which, being repeated at every step the animal takes, fatigues it and induces inflammation. From thence often arises distentions of the sheaths of tendons (moletts-vulgo, ' windgalls ') engorgements, and swelling of tendons, etc., that are observed after long or rapid journeys. These accidents arise less from the length of the journey, as has been currently believed, than from the false practice of paring the sole. . . . We al- ways find ourselves more active and nimble when we wear easy shoes ; but a wide, long, and thick shoe will do for horses what clogs do for us, — render them heavy, clumsy, and un- steady. * * * '■ The feet become convex by hollowing the shoes to relieve the heel and frog, because the more the shoes are arched from the sole, the more the wall of the hoof is squeezed and rolled in- ward, particularly toward the in- ner quarter, which is the weakest ; the sole of the foot becomes con- vex, and the horse is nearly al- ways unfit for service. * * * " The reason why it is dangerous to pare the feet of horses is, that when the sole is pared, and the horses tands in a dry place, the horn becomes desiccated by the air which enters it, and removes its moisture and its suppleness, and of ten causes the animal to be lame. * » * Fig. 597.— The Same as would Appear with the Shoe On. aji'j siioKi.su;. •■ It is till' iJiiird f.Hil thiit in iiiiirc iiITc<-|.m1 wllli wliiil is liriiinl ccmlni.lcil nr wi'mU iiisidd cuiiirlcr, iiiid wliicli also Iiiiiich llic linrsc. ■ It iilsd lm|)|it.|iH lliiil omi (11- hdlli tumitcis roiilnict, and M.incliiiiis (•v<-ti the wliiilc lii..if, wlicii. ill coiicc'inu'iicc (if ils siiialliicHs, all llu' liilrriial parlB aio coiilliK -1 ill lliclr iiKivniiciilH ; tliis is due to parlug, mid Imiirs llui liiirHc. Pui. 508. — Orlfllnal Shoo Filled with Plalo On. Kiii. .Mill Form ol Bar Shoo which would bo a Good Support lor Weak Hools. ■ TIkmo iiIho (M'i'UiH tiiiotlidi' accident : wlicii llic .|n:iri(r licconu-s contracted, the lioof splits In Its lateral nHpecIs, and tlie horse is lame. 'I'his accidenl Is tornied u Hiind-ciaek (seiiiie). "- l.iifnnn,. 'riioiit,'Ii not ^'fiur.illy known, tliis s>-stfiil of sli.;e DII of this boolt Ih the following paHKagt; : — • "'The bigotry wilh whieh all HeelH of the nindooH adhere to their own cuKloinH \n very well known ; Hlill when lliCHe enHtoniH are Hirik ingly injudieiouH, and totally aliKtraetrd from all religiouH jireJudieeH, perKoveranee degeneriiteH Into obHtinaey, and iiinii)licily into ignoranee. Ho it is with the Mahrattas in abiding by liieir present (iractiee of eulling the hoof and Hhoeing horses; they cutaway the hinder j)art of tlie hoof in Kueh a manner lliat the i)astr!rn almost toueh(!H the ground, and the frog is sudered to grow so that the hoof is nearly a circle. In which form the shoes are made, the hinder parts alTnoHl touching, and Bo thin that a i)erHon of ordinary strength can easily twist them. Insleail of making the buck part of the shoe tliick- est, they hammer it quite thin, making the f(jro part thickest, and the shoe, grad- ually beioming thinner, (Mids in an edge.' 004. Slioo to Prevent Inter- tcring or Clicking. 594 SIJOEIXG. " This mode of shoeing in a country where, from the nature of the climate, the horse's feet probably are very strong, did not strike me to be quite so injudicious as the author above mentioned represents it. I determined, therefore, to try on this jiarticular horse a shoe in some respects similar to those described, that I might see •whether it would alter the shape of his foot ; since It is said to make 'the frog grow so Fig. 605. — Form of Shoe Adapted for Pro- tection of the Foot and Aiding Mo- bility — From the French. Fig. G06. Ground View of Same. that the hoof is nearly a circle,' which was the very effect that in this case I wished to produce. I therefore ordered my sraith to make a shoe at my own forge in the form I generally use (which will be hereafter described), with the following excep- tions : The web of it was to almost cover the sole, room being given to admit a picker ; and as it proceeded to the heels, the web on each side was to be continued as far as the cleft which separates the bars from the frog. He was to make the fore part the 'thickest,' and to hammer it so thin at the heels that it would 'end in dn edge,' by which a person of ordinary strength could easily twist it. "I own I apprehended that this shoe, from being so thin at the heels, would bend in dif- ferent places, and thereby injure the foot. But as it was constantly under my own eye, I knew that if that circumstance should happen, the in- jury could not be material in the short time it Fig. 607.^Form of Shoe Adapted to Hind Foot to Aid Mobility. Used by the French. Fig. 608. Shoe Raised from the Heel. would be permitted to go unnoticed. But this did not prove to be the case. After the horse had worn this shoe a day or two only, I found the action of the leg was more free than it had ever been before ; for the bars with their covering touched the ground ; the extremities of the web on each side, by being so veiy thin, having CAUSES OF IXJURY. 395 bent a little over them, but thej' were prevented from injuring them by being ex- tended to the cleft whicli separated the bars from the frog. This pressure of the web on the bars was an assistance to them in the expan- sion of the quarters ; and the shoe was kept so wide at the heels that the exterior parts of it could not hurt him. This shoe, therefore, acted exactl}- contrary to other shoes, which, as I before men- tioned, are generally an im- pediment to the expansion of the heels, whereas this be- came an assistance to it. ■■ In three weeks I took off this shoe to examine the state of the foot. His frog was found to be increased, and in a better condition than I had before seen it. The same shoe was therefore replaced for three weeks more, at the end of which time his foot had become considerably larger and straighter. In a week or ten days more the horse "was to go thirty-six miles on a turnpike road. "Although this kind of shoe had succeeded so well in a riding-horse, I had some doubts about venturing it on the road. However, I at last determined to risk it, and had another shoe put on of exactly the same pattern, in which he per- formed his journey without any injury, so that I have ever since continued to adopt it, having found it to answer beyond any expectation I had formed of it ; for that foot which was before smaller than the other, with the toe turning out, has, by the use of this shoe, become of the same size, and so straight that there is now scarcely any difference between the two feet." Figs. 609, 610.— Shoes Adapted for Stiff Joints. Fig. 611. — French Shoe for Aiding Mobility. Fig. 613. African Shoes. Fig. 613. [396] Representative Model Slices of Different Kinds. From the French. Representative Model Slices of Different Kinds. From tlie French. [3971 3 ft 8 .slIOlilNG. VVc give here a few specimens of sliocs from Caisar Fiaschi's woric, i)ubiishecl in England in the KUli century. Tiic figures of shoes he gives are twenty in number. No. 1. Forc-slioc without calkin ; 2. Shoe with the calkin ; () V Aragonaise on one side, and the other side thickened; ;{. Liiiu-ttc shoe, or "tip"; 4. Three- cjuarter slioc ; T). Beveled shoe, with the Aragouaise calkin on one br.uKli, and the otluT thii.k at the heel ; (1. .Shoe with sc/rf/is, or projecting toothed border, thickened towaid e.ich bvc\ to prevent slipping ; 7. Thick-sided shoe, thin toward the inner border, and seated like the iMiglish shoe ; 8. Shoe with buttons, or raised catches on the inner branch, and thickened on the heel of the same side ; !>. A shoe which has the inside heel and i|uarter much thicker and siioiihxa. :i!t)) narrower than usual; l<). A sIum' vvilli crests or jioints toward llu; (ground surface on tliL- tiK- and i|uart(:r, and /Kir/u/Zis at the hcil, ; I I. A slioc with tlio calkins douldcd over, and provided willi rin(.;s ; ly. Tlic f()f)t surface of a slioc witli the heels turnin}^ u|) toward llic foot; l.'5. Shoe witli two calkins; II. A /mr shoe; ir>. A jointed shoe to suit any size of fool ; Hi. A jointed shoe williont n.iils, and secured by tlie lateral border and the heel-screw; 17. A hind shoe with calkins ; 18. A shoe with om- of the branches (greatly thickened at the heel ; l!». A hind shoe with a crest or toe-piece ; 20, A liind siioe with the toe elon(;at<(l and curled upward, probal)ly for a foot tile back tc'ndons of which- were; contracted, causinjj the hors(; tf) walk' on the ])oint cjf the t<)<;. lielow, in l''ip;s. (iM2 *!Kr», are j.;iven a variety of old llonian shoes found in I'jifdand, l''ranc(;, and Switzerland, and ■.nppo.ed to be from nineteen hnndied to over two thousand yiars old. Fin (IHa )''iastcni l)nnc. B. Thi- ((.ronnry bone. C. The navicular Ijoiic. D. The foot bone. E. The point of insertion of ihc tcndnri nf tlie extensor muscle. F. A concavity to j;;ive .■illacluueut to the ligament which unites the foot l)one to the coronary bone at (J. G. Coronary lione. H. A continuation of the same concavity, to wliich the cartilatre of the foot bone is attache pntnlMr r,i( i; (if IIk; (li^i(;il i(;(,;i')ii, Hexed Imi I. u.nil in ,i iii.iniiM Im 'ilimv In il'i full cx- friit the inferior or pLniLir f.Kc nf Ihr (oni, 'I'lif nl vclvcly IImsiic! Ih prfscrvri, A Mcdiiiii (iiic(, of Uui iiyrotiildiii l»o(ly (IU<«Uy hn") (if |>I(<|inriill(iii (if IliK Iwif f>iiiii('lii' nl IIh' iihinnu |.:ii| (or rijsliioii ). V. InnTii:il t'-.ur nl' Mm- lil.r:nirl i,l llic rein lorciri-j -IhmiIi cf IIm- |HTl'oriiris. K. I'oiiil, of juiiclioi] of IIm' inrcrinr liiiiili-]' ..I' llu- iinliliiL'i-s with tin: Milisl; r mT llw |,l:iiit:ir' |i.-iil' nr . ll^l,illrJ. F. l.i)iiKiliiiliii;iI .|i-|irc>sion ol llic ;inn-rior- I'lici- of |l,i- |,l;irinir piul. (i. Stnitilicil liiycrs of tin- pliinnn- \,:ul in llic |iw-;iiiiiilMl |p..ily. Z. Su|>(^ri()r Hiirfiu-c of llic Iimi-, Y. Tliii-kiicss :iiii| .lircclioii of ilic l,„r-.. r" a ' ,>-rt !/> V^J- PLilTE IX. FL1.TE IX. Arterial Vessels. The figure shows the superficial disposition of the dig- ital artery on the lateral face of the phalanges. A. A'. A". Digital artery from its emerging point aboie the great scs^ iiraoids to tbe point where it disappears under the plate of cartilages in X. B^ Anterior transverse branch at tl:B lat-lacarpo-phalaugial articula- tion. (.'. Perpendioilar artery. I). Ascending branch of the perpendieular artery. E. Descending branch of the perpendicular artery. F. Transverse branch formini; with the corresponding one the su- perficial coronary circli'. f. Descending ramuscules in tlie \y,id of the superficial coronary circle, f. Ascendinir ramuscules of the podopliyllous tissue, or sensitive lamina;. G. Posterior transverse branches of t'le nietacarpo-phalangial articu- lation. K. Artery of tlie ]ilantar pad. or cn>hiou. P. Circumflex artery. r, U. Ascending terminal divisions of the diirital artery: they emerge from the porosities of the tliird phalanx, and send ramifica- tions to the iiodophyllous tissue. m '%;--/^'4:"it!''^ii PLATE X. PLATE X. Arlorlal VckxcIh. The fii^urc represents tlu: superficial dispositihiciii. L. Iiilcnial liraiicl] ..I' llic aiti'i-.v "f tlic jilaiilar pad. P. I', P. ('ire Ilc\ artery. Y. Y. Siilar arlrrir-i, or arlci-ics of plantar siirfai-c. PLATE XI. PLATE XI. Arterial VeMHClN. The figure shows the deep clispositinn of llic di.L^ital ar- tfi'y at the posterior face of tlie first two phalant^es, and in llic interior of tlie tliird seen fi'imi its inferior face. A, A . l>ii;ilal iirliTV. C. l'ii-|icii(liculin' ;ntcry lit ils imiiil ol' orij^iii. H. One o!' Ilir linuii lifs nmning posteriorlj', (Icslincrl lo tin; ]ii'r- loraii-i liiuloii, in which it rainififs itself. .1. I>(c|i jellied ImilHll. 1\. I'diiil cif nriuiii nl' tlic artery nf the jilanlar ]iail. M. I>ri-|i transverse liraiieli, i(iiTi|iletiiiL; liehind Ihi^ front snperticiiil S. J'liiiiliir artery or ]iosleiiiii- liiminal lirancli, in llie phmlar li^sure, and in the semi Iniiar sinus, wliere it forms witli ils anah)L'iie the srmi-lnnar anastomosis. V. V. llfidiated divisions of the diirital artery emanating from the con- vexity of tli<' semi hmar anastomosis, and following the direction of the descendiiiL:' canals of the tliird phalanx to go and con- tribute lo the formation of the circumllex artery at the exterior circ\ini fere nee of the iioIcIkmI bolder of the bone. LATE Xn. PLATE XII. 'I'liis fii^iirc ii'|)rcsi'iUs till- piincipli- nerves of the tli^it;il region. 'I'lii.- pl.mtar nerve oCLUpies the s.irni.; sitii.itii)ii, hut llic the cartilagiaoi:.. bulb.':. I, I. Braueli of th'j p'.antar pa.l. K. Transverse coronary branch. M. Podophyllous division. O. Pre-plantar nerve. Q. Descendin;,^ 1 :anch in t!ie patilolie fissure. R. Arterial rarauseules accompanying the diirital artery in the plan- tar lissure. V. Vein following so:netimes behind tao plantar nerve ia a'.l its phalangial course. This vessel does I'.ot always e.\ist. PLATE Xl¥. PLATE XIV. The object of this figure is to sliow the disposition of the capillary vessels in the tegument of the digital region seen sidewise. A. A. Arterial vessels of llie skin. B. B'. Arterial vessels oC the coronary band, or cushion. R. Villosities of the coronarj' cushion. This vessel does not ahv.iys exisl. This figure represents the principal perioplic bourrelet, the coronary groove and the podophyllous tissue or sensitive lamina;. A, B. Priucqial corona' (or cntidura; with tin- villosities cov:M'inii' it. C. Superior liordcr of the coronary cushion. D. Perioplic coronary groove. B. Perioplic (pad) covered with little horny substance. F. Inferior border of the cushion. C4. Podophyllous tissue, or sensitive huniu;e. II. Villosities of the inferior extremity of the podophyllous laniiute. E. Arterial vessels. K. Small arterial branches. PLATE XV. This fii;iii'c I'cprcsL'nts tlu- supi-rior face i>f tlic lloor of llu- liiKif, foniu-il 1))- llu.' SdK- .iiul llu: froi;. 'I'lic wall lias been cut at llu- level of tiio sole, in older lo show the tei- miiKitlon of the hofn\- lea\es in llu: e(.Ii;e, or border of the A. Circular (liniliil i^vily al tlic |i.ii?il i<( rciiiii.Mi of lln' s..Ii- ami llir wall. ]i. SiiiHTidi- iM.rdc'i- dl' till' I'nii,'. {'. TiTiTiiriali.in nf llir Imniy Icavi'S in tin' , -, , r, ju ■ Fit.. 71-3. —Healthy Hock Fig. .13.— Diseased Hock all of which are very Dissected. Dissected. good. The following is also used with much success : — Oil of origanum. 1 oz. Oil of turpentine 1 oz. Alcohol J oz. To be applied night and morning, for a few days at a time. Spavin. The causes of spavin are numerous — altered bearing, predispo- sition from conformation or mal- conformation of the limb, but pro- ceeding mainly from hard work, sprains, or any cause which excites inflammation of this part. But the most common cause lies in the \ breeding of horses, as very often a colt is bred from a spavined sire or dam, or both, when the colt is sure to inherit the same defect. Fig. 714. — Action Fig. 715. — Action of f- , ^, ^ ^ . „ . , r. J. o • J . SYtnpto7ns. — Ihe nrst symptom when Natural. Badly Sprained Leg. ^ r j r usually shown in spavin is a stifit moving on the toe, which causes a peculiar quick catching up of the leg, especially in trotting. This varies according to the amount of 41S DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. inflammation and its location, from being scarcely noticeable at first, and passing off entirely after going a little ways, to severe lameness or stiffness of the hock, which greatly improves or disappears when warmed up during a sharp drive of a few miles, but appearing much worse after such a drive when the blood is again cooled. The hock is observed to be less freely used than the other. He is worse on the hard road. He limps considerably when he strikes his toe on a stone or the ground. If the leg be taken up and the joint forcibly extended or flexed, he will limp quite badly. Spavined horses gen- erally lose condition, and from the pain caused by rising they fre- quently stand for a long time. If it is the result of a strain, causing acute inflammation, the lameness will not pass off by ex- ercise so readily as it will after it becomes chronic. An enlargement usually makes its appearance from the fifth to the sixth week. Any prominence can be seen by standing in front of the horse about three or four feet from the shoulder, and looking back across the hock, or by standing behind the horse and looking for- ward across the hock. The effort the horse makes to relieve the heels by walking upon the toe, indicates the necessity of removing the shoe, raising the heel-calks, hammering down or cutting off the toe-calks, and round- ing the toe. Care must be taken not to mistake a natural fullness, known as "rough hocks ; " and it is always advisable to compare the one hock with the other. We frequently have inflammation or spavin unit- ing the small bones without the least outward enlargement. Fig. 70S. Quite often, before any enlargement appears, the trouble may be mistaken for hip lameness. But in this difficulty there is a pe- culiar dragging motion, and for want of muscular action the hip is sametimes fallen in or wasted, while in spavin the leg is lifted and brought forward easily, traveling mostly on the toe, and shows marked improvement by exercise. Treatment. — If there is heat during the first few days, use cool- ing applications, such as an ounce of sugar of lead to half a pail of ri6.— A Healthy Hock. Fig. tit.— a Jack Spavin. DISEASES OF THE BONES. 410 ice-water, about two weeks, when the inflammation may pass off. A dose of physic may also be given. Or a very simple way, and ac- cording to my judgment the best, is to throw a strong stream of cold water against '*'to^i'>,l(ii|I|llM^ the part for twelve or fifteen minutes, re- lEilS'*.' peating two or three times a day as before explained. If past the first stage, and the case has become chronic, the only reason- able treatment is counter-irritation and rest, or keeping up sufficient local inflammation, ' ' without dissolving or blistering the skin, to arouse nature sufficiently to produce anchy- losis, or a union of the bones involved. There are two methods of treatment for this : First, if not very serious, by blistering ; second, by what is termed "firing." This is done in two ways : First, by burning lines over the skin with a feather-edged iron y\o. 718.— Small Spavin, sufficiently close and deep to produce an extensive external inflammation, but without breaking or destroy- ing the skin ; second, by burning small holes into and around the diseased parts. On the following page are given a few of the best practical remedies. Blistering is adapted for only simple cases, so that when serious, firing is the most reliable and effectual treatment. In ^^^^V case of either blistering or firing, the hair ««i, should first be clipped from two to three inches above and below the enlargement, and out to the middle of the hind and fore part of the leg. A favorite remedy used by one of the best practitioners in the country is prepared and applied as fol- lows : — Biniodide of mercury 3 dr. Iodide of potass -1 dr. Iodine in crystals, pulverized li dr. Blue ointment (mercurial) 1 oz. Lard 1 oz. Fig. 719. — Very Large Spavin. Mix, and apply to the seat of the spavm three days. When the parts become sore, omit the treatment for the same length of time ; then apply once in three days for two weeks, after which stop all treatment. 420 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Or either of the following blisters may be used, which arc among the very best : — Finely powdereti cantharidcs 1 oz. Powdered euphorbium ... 2 dr. Lard 1 oz. Tar 3 oz. Mix. This is a very strong blister, and is regarded as very good. Another favorite perscription is : — Corrosive sublimate 3 dr. Lard 1 oz. Tar i oz. Cantharides 2 dr. The following will also be found efificient : — Equal parts of binlodide of mercury and cantharides, and three i)arts each of tar and lard. The blister should be thoroughly rubbed on with the hand about ten minutes. Twenty-four hours afterward apply a little vaseline or oil, and repeat night and morning until the action subsides. This will prevent the skin from cracking, as well as lessen the pain. After which, wash with castile soap and warm water. In no case should more than one leg be blistered at a time, especially if the horse is thin-skinned and sensitive, as it produces serious disturbance and fever. A variety of prescriptions for blisters will be found under the head of the best remedies used, if it is desired to use blisters ; also the most famous secret quack cures will be found under that head ; but it is not advisable to use them. Firing. For firing, put the horse in stocks. If this is not convenient, the next best way is to bring a rope around the neck and fasten to the well leg ; or still better, buckle a soft strap around the fetlock, and from a ring attached to the strap, pass a rope around the neck of the horse and draw short enough to raise the foot from the ground. Next put on a twitch, with the stick part at least twenty inches long ; it should be so arranged as not to hurt the horse until the in- stant of touching with the iron, when the head should be thrown up a little with a slight jerking motion, to divert his attention from the pain of the firing. I give two illustrations of the firing part of the iron, reduced in size about one third. The larger the iron, the longer it will re- tain the heat. The blade should be of steel (of the form given in the illustration;, a little more than a quarter of an inch thick at the DISEA.^ES OF THE BONES. 421 -Feather-edged Firing-iron, fourtlis Size. Three- back, and gradually thinned down to the edge, which should be about one sixteenth of an inch in thickness, and nicely rounded. The handle may be nothing more than a straight round bar of iron from sixteen to seventeen inches long and turned back at the end. It is necessary to have at least two irons, so that while one is being used, the other can be heating. It should be heated to a dull red color, and when taken from the fire the edge quickly run over a board or plank to make it smooth. When the edge is turned dark, draw perpendicular lines on the leg, as shown in Fig. T22, from top to bottom. They should be about two inches apart at the top, and not drawn deeply. Lay the edge where desired to start from, and draw steadily and gently to the bottom. Then commence at the top and make cross lines, obliquely, about half an inch apart. Start the point of the iron from the line at the right or left, and draw to- ward the center, as shown in Fig. 722. The skin should not be penetrated or cut through, as it would leave a blemish. The cuticle is simply to be de- stroyed, and a dark-brown impression left upon the skin, from which there will exude a glutinous substance soon after the operation. If the iron is red or too hot, there will be great danger of burning through ; though if the operator is dextrous he can use it quite safely by drawing j-j^, ^21 it proportionately light and quick, but the work cannot be so well done as with an iron that is of a dull-red color, or quite dark at the edge. With such an iron, if the first line is not drawn quite deep enough it can be repeated until the right depth upon the cuticle is obtained, which will be indicated by its color. If the lines are drawn much nearer than half an inch, there will be danger of sloughing, while if too far apart there will be proportionately less inflammation produced. They should be of a certain dcj^th 422 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. and distance apart, and crossed as little as possible, to avoid break- ing the skin. If this is done neatly, when the healing process takes place, the creases formed by the iron will be drawn together, the hair grown over, leaving no visible trace of the firing. After the operation, the horse should be put in a box-stall. On the following day a little grease, vaseline, or oil should be rubbed over the part, which will keep it soft and prevent cracking. This may be repeated at any time afterward, should it appear too dry. Should any of the cracks break and threaten to make a sore, dust on a little of the magic healing powder, which will stop it immediately, un- less very severe. No bandaging or any such means should be re- FiG. 722.— View of Lines as they Should be Made with Feather-edged Firing-iron. Fig. 723.— Bad (Method of Firing. The Lines Cover too Small a Surface. sorted to. Simply see that the horse does not bite or rub the parts. This method of firing is the one that has been most generally used. It is very painful to the horse, and requires considerable practice to do it well, although there is no particular sleight or se- cret in doing it beyond making the lines cover rather a large surface, and as near each other as can safely be done without causing so much inflammation as to extend across the division, and blemish by breaking or destroying the skin between. The next point is depth of the firing. This can be learned reliably only by practice. The deeper the firing, the more extensive the inflammation produced, though in no case should it be carried deep enough to break the skin, as this will surely cause a blemish, while in very slight firing there will be proportionately less inflammation, and to that degree less effective. DISEASES OF THE BONES. 423 The Pyro-Puncturing Process. The method of firing now found to be most effective for this dif- ficulty, and that used most generally by the best practitioners, is the pyro-puncturing process. It is much easier done, more simple, not so liable to blemish, and far more effective. I give two forms of iron ; one representing about three sixteenths of an inch, the other about an eighth of an inch or less, in diameter. The rule is, the larger the iron the farther apart must the holes be made, and the smaller the iron the closer together. The principle is to make the punct- ures as near as can be done safely without producing so much in- flammation as to cause the skin to break or slough between them. The average distance apart is from three fourths to one inch for the larger iron, and half an inch for the smaller iron, observing not to go near the vein. If the horse is valuable, it is best to use the smaller iron, as there is less danger of blemish- ing. The part of the iron used should be suf- ciently long to enable puncturing as deep as de- sirable. I give illustrations of two such irons; one representing the round part drawn out with considerable bulb behind to give sufficient body to retain heat ; the other a bulb of iron with a hole punched, into which is fitted a piece of steel or iron wire of suitable size. These fine- pointed irons for pyro-puncturing should be used only when at a white heat, and never when cooled to a red heat. The reason for this is that there is much less pain felt when the iron is at a white heat, as the sensibility is almost immediately destroyed. It is desirable to have three or four irons heating at once, so as to be sure of having one continually at white heat. The method of using it is to barely touch the skin at first, to mark the points to be punctured, which should be extended out some little distance beyond the line of enlargement or immediate seat of trouble (as shown in Fig. 724). Then repeat, burning much deeper each time, until the holes are made to a depth of about three eighths of an inch, more or less, according to the severity of the case. Where there is much enlargement, penetrate to the bone proper over that part. When the firing is complete, rub on thor- oughly a strong blister. The following simple Spanish-fly blister is good : — Fig 7'34.— Dots Show- ing Usual Number and Location of Punctures in Firing. 424: DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Spanish flies. 1 oz. Li(liiid tar \ oz. Lard 2 oz. Mix, and rub on thoroughly from five to ten minutes, putting" on a pretty thick application, and leaving on about forty-eight hours, O^ when wash off with warm water and soap. When dry, ){ rub on some grease or lard ; and let the animal rest three weeks. The princi- ple is to keep the horse quiet long enough to give time for exudate to be thrown out and unite the parts involved, and this requires from three to five or eight weeks, and in some obstinate cases possibly even longer, de- pending upon age ; the young- er the horse, the more easily and quickly this will be done, while the older the horse, and the less consti- t u t i o n , the slower and more difficult it will be to do. In any event, it must be continued or repeated, until the lameness disappears, after which work moderately for awhile. If, after a couple of months or so, there is any perceptible lame- ness or soreness, an ordinary biniodide of mercury blister may be applied once or twice, as the case requires, or the firing may be re- peated, as before stated. The point is to keep up sufficient counter- irritation to make the cure complete. It will also aid in removing any enlargement that may remain. Fig. 725.^Stnall Pyro-puncturing Iron. Fic. 730. — Large Pyro- Fig. 727. — Small Pyro- puncturing Iron. puncturing Iron. The Wire too Small. DISEASES OF THE BOXES. 425 Fio. 738. -Joint Anchy- losed in Ring-bone, witli- out Enlargement. The Roughened Appearance of the Bone the Result of Inflammation of the Periosteum. Fig. 739— Ring-bone. The Joint Anchylosed and Enlarged. Ring- Bone. The treatment for ring-bone, splints, curbs, and spavins is prac- tically the same. If there is inflammation, the result of recent strain, use cooling ap- plications, and give the horse rest until it passes off, when counter-irrita- tion by blistering or fir- ing must be resorted to. A ring-bone is a bony excrescence, or enlarge- ment, about the pastern, most frequently occur- ring in the hind leg. Sometimes it does not cause much lameness, while again the lame- ness may be very severe, and perhaps incurable. This will depend much upon the location of the enlargement upon the joint. Should it be upon the center of the bone, it may not occasion any trouble ; but if upon the margin of the joint, it is liable to cause much lameness. Fig. Y29, taken from a photograph, is a front view of an enlarged anchylosed joint, or ring- bone ; Fig. 730 is a view of another specimen cut through the center, showing the joint grown solid. I include an illustration of quite a bad ring-bone, and the same clipped, lined, and also dotted to show how the firing should be done by the pyro-puncturing process. At first there may be a somewhat tender and yielding enlargement, which, in the course of time, becomes a hard, bony formation. Second, the horse may make an effort to relieve the pressure from the heels or toe, according to the location of the inflammation. Should he raise the heels, then raise the heel-calks and round the toe. If on the other hand he seems Fig. 730. — Longitudinal Section of Joint after Anchylosis. 426 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. to throw pressure upon the heels, then lower the heel and round the toe. In the fore feet, at any rate, it will be necessary to round Pig. 731. -Ring-bone as it Usually Appears. Fig. 733— As a Ring-bone Should be Fired by the First Method. the toe sharply, which will greatly relieve the strain upon the joint by enabling the foot to roll easily, or turn upon the toe. The best method of doing this is by the Roberge shoe, illustrations of which are given in " Shoeing," pages 2S2, 283. Clip the parts, as shown in Fig. 722, then blister or fire, as explained for spavin. There should be no blistering or firing around the heel under the fetlock, as this would cause breaking or an irritation of the skin, which would be very annoying and difficult to heal. Side-Bone, or False Ring-Bone. Side-bone, properly speaking, is not ex- ostosis, but ossification of an already exist- ing structure, it being ossification of the lateral cartilages of the os pedis, or bone of the foot. It is most common in the fore feet, especially where the pasterns are short and straight. Symptoms. — The lateral cartilages, which in health are soft and flexible, become enlarged, project above the hoof, and are hard and bony. While the inflammatory process is going on, there is heat and pain in the part, and consequently lameness, which in most Fig. 733.— Method ot Firing by the Pyro-puncturing Process. DISEASES OF THE BONES. 427 cases ceases when the ossification is completed ; but there is always a degree of stiffness observable, and the lameness is apt to return if the horse is much used on the road. Causes. — Short, upright pasterns predispose to them ; they are most common in heavy draught horses, used for teaming on the road. Sometimes it arises from a tread from another horse, which causes inflammation of those structures, which is followed by ossifi- cation of the cartilage. Treatment. — The same principles must be observed in all these cases. Rest is most essential ; continued cold applications, by mak- ing him stand up to the fetlocks in soft clay, with cold water frequently applied, would be the proper treatment until the acute stage has passed, after which repeated blistering, or, if thought necessary, firing would be advisable. Curb. This is a swelling upon the back part of tiie hock about five or six inches from the point (an illustration of which is given in Figs. 734, 736). If there is heat and tenderness, with more or less lameness, use cooling applications. The quickest way to reduce inflammation of this kind is to direct a stream of cold water against the part for ten or fifteen minutes, and repeat at intervals. It would relieve considerably to raise the heels of the shoe, and when the inflamma- tion subsides, blister repeatedly. If this does not succeed, fire the part. Curbs are not usually difficult to manage. I include a remedy which is very effective in removing chronic enlargements of this kind. It was first brought to my notice by being used upon one of my baggage-horses during one of my campaigns in Ohio. I pur- chased this horse cheap on account of his having a large curb, which, though it did not cause lameness, blemished the leg badly. I no- ticed my manager. Dr. Williams, occasionally rubbing on some medicine. It seemed to me like a waste of time to attempt doing anything for it, and so expressed myself He said, " Wait, and I will show you the effect." He simply applied the remedy two or three times a week, and in two or three months, to my surprise, the enlargement had almost entirely disappeared. Since then several cases of morbid joint enlargement have been cured by applying this A Well-defined Curb. 42S DISEASES AM) TIIEin Ti: EAT MR ST. rcMiiLtl)' (iccasionall)' for two or tlinc months, one especially had, caused 1))' an injury duw ii near the lioof. 'I'he folluuin^^ is the remedy : — Oil ori^nniim I oz. Oil ol' H|iilu'. 1 »)/. Oil (if lunliiT. t oz. HpirilH of tur|irMliiic 1 oy.. C;iuii|ilinr 1 oz. Mix lhoi(in;,;hiy, and ml) on the- enlarj^'ement two or three times a week. The follow inLj is the tn-atment used by one of the most success- ful veterinary surgcon.s in this country : — I'irst, put on a hifjh-lieeleil shoe, tlien take boilini,' water, and witli a spon^'c liave the curlj well h.itlu-d ftir .ibout ten minutes. Then apply the following liniment : Ai|iia aiiuiioiiiii. 1 oz. Tiiicl. of iodine 3 oz. (Jlyccrliic. ;( oz. Apply to the part two or three times a day, until quite sore. Then stop for a sV^\ few .la\-s, when %|ffl&#i'M.\^ . , repc-at the med- ^UilWVal U'lne as belore, ^HHUt mn ll«f SM!V V '""' ^" continue until aijain sore. Hoc Si'.WlNS NBK-'-iS*- .\ N I ) T 1 1 R- \HK A?"."' OL'<;il-I'lNS. This disease m.i\' bi- called wind-!.;alls of the hock, caused, us- PPk"\\^ Fui. 7:r.. An Ordinary Curb. >''>".\'. '')' str.iin p,, .-;;,-, a Very Bad Curb. a n (1 o\-erwork, but princi[>ally b\' luni^iui; back upon the hind le;.;s. When the swelling;' is inside and front of the hock, it is called a botj or blooil spavin. This is c.iused by a ilistension c)r rupturiuf^ of the mem- branes which cover the synovial ca\it\- of the joint. Tlie swelling is st)ft, and j-ields to the pressure of the t"inL;er. Thor<>u;j,h-pin isdf the s.mu- ch.ir.uter an enlargement on the back-, inside of the upper |i.ut of the joint, where in its natural con- dition is a IkiIIow. This swi-lliuL; extends across undi-r the tendon. niSEASKS OF THE BO.VES. 429 forming a tumor between the calcis and thigh bone. It is simply a rupture of the synovial membrane, allowing the synovia to escape. By pressing upon one side, the swelling is pushed through to the other side ; and sometimes there is connection with the swelling in front. These enlargements rarely cause lameness, though some- times they may cause inflammation of the parts involved. 'I'lR-ri- is no satisfactory treatment for these diflieult irs. One of the best remedies during the acute stage is to rui) (111 soft soap and s.ilt. Kul) 111! lllr IMlt tllol- ()iii;lil)- .il iiiidil .mil wash iilT in tlic iiKHiiini;, Inr two or llin-c tiuu:s. T h i s will sometimes work wonderfully well. IIivc used it repeatedly with the best success. 'I'liis n-iurd)' will work well on acuti; cases, but its effect is not satis- factory upon old, con- firmed cases ; for if the enlargement is brought down, sharp driving or straining of the parts will usuall)' bring back the trouble. Blistering sharjily is the treatment usually puisiud, II this l.iils, firing is the last resort. There is no difficulty in bringing down an enlargement of an ordinary bog s|)avin by blistering, but as soon as the horse is put to work or strained in the least, it is liable to come back again. I consider trusses and all that sort of thing (if no special account in this difficulty. I have been toUl repeatedly of p.irtics who jiiincturi'd these iMilargi-- ments to alliiw tlie seeret i< uis to run mit, tll.it In each case so much infiammation was exciti'd in tin- joint as to cause the loss of the horse. Blood spavin is sujjposed to be caused by a dis- tension of the large vein which passes through the integuments involved in bog spavin. I do not know any distinction between them win tli)' of iiuiitii)ii, i:s])ecially as there is no tre.itment givt'ii other lli.in tli.it named. Fid. 7!i7. — Bog or Blood Spavin. Fid. 7I!H.- Thorough pin. Fid. 7:ii). — Capped Hock. 430 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Fig. 740. — An Ordinary Capped Hock. Capped Hock. This is an injury or bruise at the point of the hock, and is usually caused by striking the parts against some hard object. If the inflammation is acute, use cooling applications. When the inflammation has subsided, use any ordinary stimulant or blister recommended for the pur- pose. Wind-Galls. Wind-gall was the name given to those soft, puffy swellings found at the back part of the fetlock joint, from a supposition that they con- tained air. They consist of enlargement of the little sacs, or bags, which are always found to contain a mucous fluid wherever tendons pass over joints, as at the back of the fetlock. This form may be termed simple wind-gall. In other cases, the distension is caused by an increased secretion, and bulging of the capsular ligament of the joint itself This form may be distinguished as complicated wiftd-gall. Few horses that have done any work are free from them, and unless dependent on some more se- rious lesion than simple distension of these bnrscc mucosa;, they are of no conse- quence. Causes. — Hard work is the well- known cause of w i n d-ga 1 1. In rapid motion or heavy draught the friction of the tendons is greatly increased ; consequently an increased secretion of synovia is required, and takes place in all synovial sacs during exercise ; but if the action be not so violent as to strain the parts, it is speedily reabsorbed. On the other hand, if the exertion be inordinate, these little bur scz nnicoscs hecome injured, inflammation is set up, and they become permanently enlarged. Fig. 74L- Natural, Fig. 74i.— Showing Fig. 743.— Clearly Marked Healthy Joint. Two Enlargements. Condition of Wind-gall. DISEASES OF THE BOXES. 431 Again, the exerti,on may be so violent as to cause sprain of the tendon, which extends to the capsule, or the joint itself may suffer, and cause distension of the capsular ligament, constituting complicated wind-gall, which is more serious. Symptoms. — Simple wind-galls are little puffy swellings, seen at the sides of the tendons as they pass over the fet- lock joint, most common on the hind leg. They are soft even when the weight is thrown on them. It is very important to be able to distinguish be- tween simple and com- plicated, or between the harmless and what is not harmless. If situated be- tween the tendon and the suspensory ligament, it depends on dis- tension of the burses through which the tendon passes ; if it feels hard when the other leg is held up, and is accompanied with a Fig. 744. — The Aspirator.* Fig. 743. — Hypodermic Syringe that Would Answer. slight lameness, the tendon is implicated. When placed in front of the suspensory ligament, between it and the bone, it is accom- panied with increase of synovia in the joint itself Wind-galls generally appear suddenly. Treatment. — There are three methods of treatment : First, during the acute stage they can be easily removed by any firm but even pressure by pads and bandages, with cold water frequently ap- plied. * This cut was furnished by John Keynders & Co., Manufacturers of Surgical and Vet- erinary Instruments, etc., 303 Fourth Avenue, New York City, N. T., of whom any Tet«rinary instruments needed can be obtained. 432 DISEASES AND rilEIR TREATMENT. Second, when it has been long neglected, or the case is com- plicated, counter-irritation or any good stimulating liniment or light blister may be used. The biniodidc of mercury ointment may be well rubbed in several times, or a cantharides blister may be used. Third, letting the synovial fluid out. This is done with an instrument called "the aspirator," which is a bottle attached to a small suction-pump, or more properly, a syringe attached to a bottle, and worked so as to draw out the fluid. The method of op- erating is as follows : Force the needle of the aspirator into the wind-gall, and draw off the fluid. When it is all drawn, inject a lit- tle of the following solution into the part : — Tinct. i(MliiH'. J oz. Ioilid(! of ijotiissiiuu 20 gi". Water 3 oz. Bandage well and keep the parts wet with cold water, the bandages to remain on from three to five days. This produces an adhesive inflammation of the part. This treatment can be used with safety in all cases where there is enlargement of the sheaths of the tendons. It cannot be safely used in what is called a blood spavin, because there is danger of puncturing the vein, and sec- ond, may extend into the true hock joint, which would induce so much inflammation as to produce a stiff joint or even suppuration of the coverings of the bone, which would finally destroy life. ,y^„.^,^. The hypodermic syringe, shown F/ ' ''j ill in Fig. 745, may be used. ; // Miml. 'V fmlMam N.\vicuLAR-JoiNT Lameness. It is estimated that this is the cause of full)- nine tenths of all serious and obscure cases of lameness in the fore feet. If neglected or not treated prop- erly, in from three to six months such changes of structure, or de- generation, take place in the Fio. 740.— As the Horse Usually Rests his parts as to make cure impos- Toc upon the Ground. sible, when it is termed " groggy, or chronic lameness." In refer- ence to the cause of this lameness, a verj- able author says : — XA VIC ULA R-JOINT LA ME NESS. 433 This is a strain that does more mischief than any other, and entirely from the circumstance of its producing scarcely any lameness in the walk. A horse, there- fore, when strained in the colBn joint, and having no lameness, or scarcely any, in the walk, is usually put to work, or what is nearly as bad, is turned to grass without any regard to the situation, where he is often liable to be driven about. If, instead of this, it Were treated like other strains, whose symptoms are more apparent, and which produce a greater degree of lameness, it would soon get well, and with greater cer- tainty than a strain in the back sinews. But as it is a strain in the coflBn joint, it is the most intractable kind of lameness we meet with, because it is nearly always neglected at its first occasion. Svniptovis. — It sometimes occurs in an instant, as by a horse stepping on a round stone, running in the field, etc., when he may at once be quite lame ; at other times its progress is slow. Some peculiar formations of the foot are more subject to it than others. When the result of sudden strain, there will be considerable heat in the back part of the foot, with well-marked lameness. When it comes on gradually, a slight ten- derness is observed, particularly at starting, which goes off with ex- ercise. This gradually increases ; the foot is found hot, and as a re- sult of increased heat, contraction may set in, the hoof becoming dry and brittle. He steps on his toe, and when standing, points his foot, that is, places his foot in front, rest- ing on the toe ; and if both feet are involved, which is not uncom- mon, alternating the feet. Contraction is not an invariable symp- tom, as feet are subject to it that are entirely free from contraction. Often the foot is found to be round and apparently healthy, the most careful examination by the owner or smith not enabling them to locate any cause for the trouble. In ordinary cases the horse will show no apparent lameness while on a walk ; but on a trot may flinch considerably, showing a great tendency to stumble.* Driving Fig. 747. — Usual Appearance of Fool with Chronic Coffin-joint Lameness. * In some cases, usually fast trotters, the horse may at first only point, and gradually show a little soreness or stiffness at starting, or wliat is termed bobbing — dropping the head. Irrita- tion in these cases is induced very slowly, as hereafter explained. The principle of treatment is the same, — prompt removal of the cause of irritation, developing healthy circulation in the parts, and aiding mobility. 43i DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Fig. T48. — Back View of Coffin-bone ana ridvicular-bone Attached in Place. down hill, or on a rough, cobbly road, will greatly aggravate the lameness, be- cause going down hill in- creases the force of concussion ; and a stony or uneven road so wrenches and strains the joint, or exposes the frog to such in- cidental press- ure, as to greatly increase the pain and soreness. In some cases of acute strain, the lameness may be quite marked, the horse being scarcely able to walk, and When he does, keeping the foot flexed by walking upon the toe, and when standing, resting the toe upon the ground. As this acute stage passes off, which will usually be in one or two weeks, the animal will seem to have grown much better, at times perhaps appear quite well, then grow suddenly worse again, de- pending upon the part of the joint involved and the road he is traveling on. He will go better on hard, smooth, sandy roads, but on soft, yielding ground, is liable to* grow lamer, if the sole is thin and the frog prominent, because of the increased press- ure upon the frog, and thence upon the parts involved, by the foot setting into the ground. As the lameness continues, more or less change of structure takes place in the foot, a gradual drawing in of the quar- ters, the foot becoming perceptibly smaller than the opposite one, the heels higher, the frog smaller, and the sole more concave, the hoof showing a more glossy, hard ap- pearance. The shoe will invariably be worn round at the toe. A result that often follows is a shrink! Fig. 749. —Back View of tlie Bones of itie Foot. NAVICULAR-JOINT LAAfENESS. 435 or wasting of the muscles of the shoulder, called "sweeny," which is caused by a want of properly exercising them. The symptoms are about the same, so far as the lameness goes, whether the mischief has extended to ulceration or not, the history of the case only guiding in enabling to determine how far this has gone. Of course these conditions will vary in degree, as there may be only a slight extent of ulceration, or a high degree of simple inflammation. Yet, in the former case, the lameness will not be so marked as in the lat- ter, notwithstanding the prospect for recovery will be much less. We will now presume a horse, without any apparent cause, to show a little lameness, and we desire to make a careful examination. First, is there any possible cause from recent shoeing, such as a Fig. 750. — Position of the Bones of the Foot too Oblique. a, Pastern bone; b, Coronary bone ; c, Os pedis, or cofBn-bone; d, Usual seat of the lameness; e, Perforans tendon. badly fitted shoe, driving the nails too close, or pricking.' Let the shoe be taken off carefully, by raising each clinch in succession, and pulling the nails out. Now tap and examine all parts of the foot carefully, and especially if there is any bruise or corn at the inner heel, or at any part of the sole, which will be noticeable by being, red, and sensitive to light tappings of the hammer or to squeezing of the pinchers. It is always best to make the most thorough and careful examination, so as to give assurance of being able to point with more certainty to the difficulty under consideration. Pressure with the thumb over the middle of the flexor tendon, on its inner side or its outer, as deeply as can be reached in the hollow of the heel, the foot being bent back, causes pain ; or catching the foot in one hand and the ankle in the other, and while twisting a little, 48(5 DISK ASKS AND TIIKII! TRKATMKNT. pressing,' aj^Miiist the Iciulon, will ciuisc considerable flinching. Tap- |)int( lij^'luly upon tiie bar or sole, (jn each side t)f the frog, will cause nine Iiiii);. Next, if the liorse is taken by the head ami liirmd short round, lie will show increased lameness. Upon an examination of tliese cases by the owner or iiorse- doctor, if no cause of trouble is discovered in the foot, the lameness is supposed to be in the shoulder. Now, there is no lameness that reveals itself more plainly than shoulder lameness; because when the muscles of the slioul- der or arm arc strained or in- jured, the mobility is so serious- I)' inipairc-d that the limb is lifted and brought fnruaid with a sort of tlragging niution. It is easy ti> sei: if a man were to injure his shoulder or arm, that with the greatest effort he would scarcely be ablir to lift it I II put ini his 1(1. it. Hut wrre tlu- tmnhli- ill his hand, or below tlu- clliLW, he- K.nld (li> it with- out the Ir.ist (lillicultN-. The (■iTert is tin- s.mii- npnn the hdise. \\\ nici\ing him back and Icirw.ird, il llu' Iroubli' is ill tlu- loot, or below the knee, the fool will be i.iised ami (.allied forw.iid ii.iturally, but jiut down tenderly, as if trying to protect it fidin the force of concussion ; whereas, if in the shoulder, as ex]ilaiii((l, the mobility of the limb is greatly impaireil, which is sluiwii \iy tlu- diri'iriill)' with which it is raised and brought forward. I udiild (.ill p.ii li( iil.ii .iltciitidii to these symptoms, from the f.ut lli.it allci .111 cs.iiiiiii.it iini b)' persiuis who do not understand the n.itiiic (if the difliciill)', ,iml finding no app.ircnl trouble in the fot)l, the conclusion is ariiscd at that it must be in the shoulder, which is treated with liiiiiiuiits, blisti'riiig, etc., as explained, w ithout doing any good, not onl)- punishing the horse unnecessaril)-, but oc- casioning a loss of valuable time. I would .also remind, in tliis connection, that when the lameness continues in one fool lor some lime, on .acouiit ol tlirowing the Kid Tondoiis anil Liyamonis ol the Foot. N.WK 7/ A A I! JOINT I. A MKNKSK. 4:j7 Wcipht so iniicll II|icmi llic ortant not to expose the horse to conditions that Fio. 7.')8.— As the Scton Should be Inserted into the Fool. A, A, the s<'ton; H, IIk' sensitive frog; C, ii!ivl(iil:i bone; D, Insensitive frog. LAMINITIS, OR FOUNDER. 441 would strain or injure the foot until fully over the effects of the in- jury. Consequently, the horse should at first be driven very mod- erately for two or three months, or more. If the road is rough, frozen, or stony, there is such danger of strain- i n g, wrenching, or bruising the foot, and thereby causing a re- lapse, that the horse should not be driven, if it can possibly be avoided. If there is any con- traction of cither or both quarters, there should be a special ef- fort to overcome this also during the treat- ment. (Sec "Shoeing.") In opening the foot with the spreaders, great _care should be taken not to produce any irritation. The quarters should be opened gradually. When the lameness has en- tirely disappeared, bring the frog again slowly to the ground to the extent it will safely bear. If any soreness is indicated, raise the heel a little, keeping the foot moist to prevent contraction ; and when the soreness passes off, again gradually lower it. It is always advisable to call in a veterinary surgeon if one is available. In ex- treme cases a frog seton is advised. This, of course, can be at- tempted only by the surgeon. LAMINITIS, OR Founder. Laminitis, or Founder, may be described as simply congestion or inflammation in the feet. It may be severe or moderate, accord- ing to the degree of disturbance. If inflammation runs high and is allowed to continue, it is liable to produce so much disorganization as to induce loss of the hoof, which is, however, rare ; or so much change of structure in the feet as to make the horse ultimately so stiff and sore or .so much of a cripple as to become practically worth- less excepting for slow, easy work. This loss of substance and change of structure is shown by a variety of illustrations. Vio. 759— The Navicular Bono Fractured. 442 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. There are two stages of this disease, acute and chronic. The first produces a high state of excitement and inflammation of the sensitive lamina, and more or less of the internal structure of the Fig. 760. — Position of Horse when Suffering from a Severe Attack of Laminitis. foot generally ; the second, a morbid or insensitive feeling of the parts generally. The first or acute stage can be invariably cured, if treated properly, which is not at all difficult to do ; the second, or Fig. 701. — As Itie Horse Usually Lies Down when Suffering from Laminitis. chronic, stage is not curable, but may be palliated to a limited ex- tent. Symptoms. — At first, if the result of exhaustion and chill, there will be the marked effects of great disturbance of the circulation, so that there may be a general stiffness and soreness, with high, LA MI NIT IS, OR FOUNDER. 443 Fig. 762.— Showing the Fool Broken and the Outer Mar- gin Turned up. The Ef- fect of Founder. quick pulse, etc., which will be soon followed by tenderness, con- gestion, and inflammation of the feet. To relieve the pain in the feet he endeavors to throw his weight upon the hind ones. He ad- vances them in- front, resting principally on the heels, when the hind ones are drawn well under him, something like the position shown in Fig. Y60. On backing him, he backs with evident reluctance ; when forced back, he drags one foot after the other, evincing con- siderable pain in doing so. When moved forward, he walks on the heels, his move- ments being slow and difficult. He will often be found lying down, as removing weight from the feet gives relief; and while down he will usually point with his nose toward the feet. Sometimes the inflammation may be in but one of the fore feet, or sometimes in the hind feet, which is not common ; and in some isolated cases inflammation may be in all four feet ; but is usually limited to the two fore feet. Causes. — Laminitis is very apt to occur from overtasking the feet by pounding them over a hard or rough, frozen road, or leaving the horse standing while heated and ex-, hausted, and especially where a current of cold air strikes him ; indirectly by prick or binding with nails, or contin- ued injury from a badly ap- plied shoe, or any cause of continued strain or injury to the feet ; driving through a river while warm ; washing the feet while warm and neg- lectingto dry them ; frequently also from overloading the stomach by eating too freely of oats or other grains, as we often see when a horse gets loose during the night and gets to the oat-bin ; or drinking too freely of cold water when heated and ex- FiG. 763.— Showing the Bone Greatly Reduced in Size and Brol>' thinning out , _^ their soles, anil ™'^^^^^^^^^^^ the feet ])ut into moderate!)- h o t water so as to ex- tract a ([uart or more of b 1 o o d Fui. 7()S. Showing the Extreme Change of Slruclino and Injury fiomeach If this to the Fool The Effect of Laminitis. The Pedal Bone ^ , , „. , J . ^ . „ ^ .. „ cannot be done. Displaced in an Extreme Degree. From the French. then open the veins freely at the coronet. If treated as directed, it is rarch' that the att.ick will not pass off in fuir or fi\'e da)'s. Dr. C'h.irlrs Meyer .uhises t In- f illow ing motle of treatment, which lu- h.is used with great success: — If llic uiiiiuiil is laUi'ii williiu till' past tweiily-four lunu'.s, luivi; llie shoes re- movfd, and piil tlio I'ect into a till) of liol wator. Wiiiil llannel wrappings or l)anil- nges around lioth logs up to tlic elbows, and keep tlicin coiuitanlly wet with hot water for from two to three lunirs. In the mcantiine have the horse well covered with blaukols, and give the foUowini,' rcimclv: Fluid extract aconite 30 drops. Oil of sassafras. 1 oz. Saltpeter 3 oz. Linseed-oil 1 pi. This is to be given at once. Tlicio will bo a profuse perspiration in from liftii'i to twenty minutes. Keep the blankets on about si.\ hour.s, then remove and (mt on dry ones. Keep wet swabs on the horse's feet, and stand him on wet clay. All stillness and soreness in the feet will be removed in from thirty-six to seventy two hours. In tlie meantime fjive one of llie followinij powders ; — LA Mini T 1 8, or founder. 447 Bicarbonate of potash 3 oz. Nitrate of potash 6 oz. Make into six powders, and give two every eight hours until well. Fio. 769. — Showing the Great Change of Structure Produced by Severe Inflammation. Dr. William Shepherd, of Ottawa, III., in an address before the State Veterinary Association, advised treatment as follows : — In the treatment of acute laminitis, as soon as possible after having discovered Fig. 770. Infernal View of Fig. 769, Showing the Great Displacement of Pedal Bone. The Dotted Lines Show the Point to which the Foot Should be Trimmed. that the animal has been foundered in the feet, or has acute laminitis, whirli is the same thing, have the shoes taken off, place the feet in a deep tub of warm water in IIS /)/A'AM.SA',V ,l.\7> TIIKIi; THKATMEyV. wlildi HiiiiiK liii.v hiiM Ikm'Ii pill to r huii' \\w p..ulll a dcM'p. hhI'I. Ik. I ph.rr.l iin.l. T llic niiiiiiMl l° ai'cMilli', Hii.v trii ih'cips, I'Vi'i'v Iwnily iiiiiiiili'N, iiiilll llic aniiiial lltn liirll llilowil illlo II plnl'lIM' pi'l'spirallnll. r..\rl' lllMI Uilh WMIIM hlllllUrls 'I'll.' pollltil'I'M .'.linul.l he rliMii-i'd lul..' a diiy. miI'I iHlrr liiU hii': lliriii ..IV pill III.' I.tI III wiilrr. aM iili..vi' Fill, 7'n. ShnwlMfl lli« nii'iiolion nl iv.'.imiiirndi'd, Ciiilhiiu' Ilii. Ii.mIiiii'iiI l'..r lliH BonniKillsas Iliniwnmil liiiia ""' '".V" "t 1''1inI. 1''i''' tic. It .1'. .1 l.v.i l.u .ill\- .111.1 ;',.ini.ill\ , (ii\r .1-; si'ii.il i\ T.'i .U'.iiiili' itiii nil. I iiitnn.ilK, witii i.mlui;; .iiiplii .it i.>ii'. l.u.illy l.> tin- IccI, II tin- iiill.imm.il i.Mi i'. >.<> cxticnu- ,i-. to i aiisc .i ilcst nut ion ^A tlu- sus- cimoMc I'oi' .\ niii;. ll!» jiciiSDiy piivMi III llir l.iiinii.r, llicn il is .i,U|.„ilil.' I.. I.U-. ,1 ,|iiu kl\ II |mim;.iIivcs .111' .iil\ r..il>lr. .;i\i- I .iliiniil ,uiil .ili><"i ill I ill- I II (i| II II I lull nl I In '.! (I I .11 111 11'. Ill I .ill MUC I ti. I I.I V nl .lln,-,. ClIKONIt |m)1IN|i|':U. WluMi tile iiill.iiniii.il inii is vny inlriiM , .111(1 is .ll low 111 In ( nil I I line \r\\ Inn. I, I 111 I c is ;m CM II 1.1 1 lull nl 1\ 111] ill I 111 n\\ II .ml I li.ii scp.n.ilis 111.- w.ill liniii (lie s. II situi- I. nil iii.r .il 111.' I. II'. Ill liiiii' ill. I.- .Ill- nil lllnl |>lllr. Ill II II . I'll'. i;l I i\\ II II nlil I 111- '.111 siti\'.' I.llllill.r. Ill pllilllnlllnll-. ll'.'.lH'. nl ill. ( nriill-linlli-, ni.lKill); .1 '.nil. '.liiill!'.\ lliilll, «lii( II, incssill^ ;^;;iiiil lln- u.ill in limil, Inn 1". Ilic .■inlcrinr ]..iil nl lli.' I..in.' iI.umi U-.llil .i!;.llll'.l 111.- -..ill. 111. il, 111;; ll lull;;.- ilnwnw.ii il, .mil III ' II' 1 .1-.. '. |i.'i l.ii .ll III); ll, Willi .1 1 .11 I . '.p.iiiilnii; l.illiii;; in .il I lie w.ill .iliiiv'i-, pill. 111. up; wli.il i-, li-inn-il a (Imp snl.-, vvlliill will III' lllnii- nl less 111.11 ki-il .11 I nlilini; In I 111- .mil iiiiil i il ili'. nl |;.llli/.ll inn. I |;ivr Iwn \'\\ i 1 1 1 . - 1 . .1 1 11 j; I , 1. t-,.,, I''iii 771 Thii Solii 111 lliti Toil -.pri nii.-ir. Ill c-xticinc i .r.. ". in I'lj;',. (till .111.1 VVlt. 'lln- liisl \\.v~ iilil.iiiK'.l l.\' nir I, I I'lnl. Ci. ",-,y, . linn.-. Iiil w ilh 111.- M.r, -..ll llir..-l I s Ai;i II nil 111 .ll ('nlli-);i-, iinu' nl . I l.llllnlll, ( iillll. ; 111.- ,,,^~^*^3^^ ,(-..,11.1 li.iiii .1 '.p.-i inn-ii llll III. III. I ll)' llll' < nllllll- jii.i Vi-t.-i ill. II \' < I iM.'i;.', nlNrw N'lilk ('il>'. Tliry ';^* •', .^iil .III- lll.lWII ll.lll '.i/,.', .Illll .III- (■ \,ll I I I pi n.llll I h 111') nl III.- .iMMIII.ll'.. W'll.-ll I ll. I .- t-> lllll.lllllll.il I. Ill ill 111.- I.'.l, iiu.iK'iiM; llii- lll inc., il i', '.III pi I'.in;; '" uh.ll .|.'.;li'.- 111.- pi.l.ll Kid. 77'1. Tho Siilislam:" 111 Ihr 11.111.- I,.., Illy Hmliicdd In '"'H'- !• li.il'l'' I" li.inin.' Sl70. Tho Edfli'.t ol Aoiili) Liiiiiliiili'.. .ilisnrlnd .il ili.iiii;i.l in iiinkiiii Tluoiiiili. Tim Elliiol nl Siivcini liilliiininiitlOM In llll) I oiil, or Aiililii LnnilnllK. ioO DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. I'orm, and have its texture weakened. Figs. 770 and 777, which were also obtained from Prof. Cressy, show the great amount of Fig. 77.5. — A Sectional View of Fig. 771. An Exact Drawing of Specimen Showing Grain of New Growtli of Soft, Spongy Horn. change and absorption that may be produced from this cause. They represent the superior and inferior views of a bone that had been very much absorbed and turned up at the outer edge, cut in two, and united to sections of an ordinary healthy bone, to show the ex- treme change produced in its form. The part outside the dotted lines was so porous that it could be looked through as plainly as through the texture of coarse cloth, and its fiber was so weak that it would crumble between the fingers. Fig. 778, also obtained from Prof. Cressy, is another in- teresting specimen showing the upper view of another bone of the same character. Fig. 779 is a side view of this bone, taken on an exact scale, showing the remarkable bend- ing up of the edges, and its thinness, it being not over Fiii. 770. — Posterior Sectional View of Pedal Bone, Sliowing Ctianged and Weakened Con- dition from t)ie Effect of Inflammation. ClIBOXIC FOUXDER. 451 M. —Inferior View of Bones Shown in Fig. 776. Part to ttie Riglit Diseased. three quarters of an inch at the pyramidal process, or front of the joint.. Fig. 780 is a bottom view of the same kind of bone, and was obtained of the Columbia Veterinary Col- lege. Being engraved from a photograph, it did not work up so well. Instead of being flat, as it appears, the outer edges were bent upward over a quarter of an inch, with the edges ragged and broken. I include also a specimen showing effect of inflamma- tion by the pressure of the toe-calk and excessive rasp- ing of the wall. These re- markable changes of structure in the foot generally, especially in the pedal bone, when compared with that in a state of health, we see to be very great, and explain the destructive effect of inflam- mation when allowed to con- tinue for any length of time. Reference can also be made to the many interesting speci- mens following the section on " Navicular-Joint Lameness" showing this. Many of these specimens will show not only the navicular, but the outer edge of the pedal, bone to be fractured. In some extreme cases where inflammation runs high, and is allowed to continue very long, this separation of the wall from the internal structure may be continued so far as to cause ulceration of the coronet and loss of the entire hoof; but this is rare. There is no cure for chronic founder. All that can be done is Fig. TT8.— Showing Absorption and Change of Form in Pedal Bone,— the Effect of Inflammation. 452 nrsBASFS Axn their treat mext. Fig. 779. — Side View of the Above, Showing Bending up of the Edges, etc. to palliate it to the best advan- tage. Some good practitioners, when they suspect any exuda- tion at the toe, and a separation of the laminae, open the toe, so as to give free vent to it. This I would regard good practice. When there is some dropping of the sole, the best way to produce a healthy condition of circulation and cell-growth is to put on tips or very thin shoes that will allow pressure upon the sole. (See "Tips" in "Shoeing," pages 334 and 389.) Better still, in addition, would be allowing the horse to run on soft or gravelly ground. (See Treatment for Peditis.) Peditis, or Inflammation OF THE Os Pedis. When there is severe in- flammation of the feet (1am- initis) the periosteum (mem- brane covering the bone) and the pedal bone some- times become involved, when it is termed Peditis. This is indicated by the horse showing intense pain, getting up and lying down often. No local treatment seems to check the structural changes tliat go on ; it will run from one to two months ; the horse has a ravenous appetite all the time, and as a rule does not lose flesh. If temperature rises, give sedative treatment, — opium, aconite with nitrate of potassa in small doses (not over 1 ounce a day, divided into two parts-and given in water). When the temperature gets down to 102°, stop inter- nal treatment, and treat locally about as follows : It is necessary to have astall wilha soft bottom, as saw-dust, ashes, etc. Occasionally it is best to dampen the ashes a little during the daj-, and rake them up so as to form a yielding body to the feet. Throw a little bedding over it at night, and also during the day, to give the horse a chance to lie down. Treatfiient. — Apply cooling applications, such as cold swabs ; that is, cover the feet with two or three thicknesses of blanket, and keep wet with cold water. After the acute symptoms subside, blis- ter. The point is to lower the fever, and check the flow of blood to the feet. Fig. 780,— Inferior View of Pedal Bone. Last Referred to in Text. Chapter XXIII, CATARRH. REFERENCE is made under the heads of " Circulation " and " Dis- eases of the Air-Passages," especially on pages 406 and 483, to the importance of guarding the horse from such variation of temperature or serious disturbance of the circulation as would pro- duce conjestion of those parts ; and what is said on such pages should be studied in connection with this subject. Catarrh, or " cold in the head," is an affection of the lining mem- brane of the nasal chambers and cavities of the head. It consists of a conjested or inflamed state of that membrane, giving rise to a glairy discharge from one or both nostrils, and when the head of the windpipe (larynxj is implicated, accompanied by a cough. Causes may be classed under predisposing and exciting, as the majority of young horses under five years of age may be said to be predisposed to this affection. The e.xciting causes are sudden va- riations in the state of the temperature ; undue exposure to cold when an animal is in a heated state, especially after a hard day's work or drive ; standing in stables badly ventilated, or any place ex- posed to cold draughts. Perhaps the most common cause in young horses is placing them in warm stables in the fall of the year imme- diately on taking them off the pastures. A sudden change from a cold to a hot temperature is more likely to cause catarrh than a change from a hot to a cold one. Symptoms. — If the horse is standing in the stable, he will appear dull, and incline to hang his head in the manger ; the mouth is hot, and the pulse quickened and weak ; the coat is staring, and the lin- ing membrane of the nose is reddened and injected. If the larynx is involved, steady pressure on that region will cause coughing. (453^ 454 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREAT M EXT. Fig. 783.— Suffering From Cold. This is the congestive stage, which speedily passes off, and exuda- tion takes place from the vessels, causing a discharge from the nos- trils, at first watery, gradually becoming thicker, and of a yel- lowish color. In some instances this matter becomes pent up within the sinuses of the head, and comes away in large quantities every three or four hours. A watery discharge from the eye is also very often an accompaniment of catarrh. If these symptoms become aggravated, the appetite is impaired, the bowels are costive, and the feces passed are of a clayey nature, the legs and ears are cold, and the breathing accelerated. Ca- tarrh, if improperly treated, or the animal kept at work and exposed to sudden changes of temperature, is very apt to descend to the chest, and is a prolific source of other and more se- rious diseases, as inflammation of the lungs {pneumonia), or of the covering of the lungs {pleurisy), or of the bronchial tubes {bronchitis). In the majority of cases catarrh is but a simple affection indi- cated by a little increase of pulse, a slight discharge from the nose and eyes, the hair roughened, not much appetite, and some cough, which is sometimes severe, and if the patient gets anything like proper usage or treatment no very serious results generally follow. Treatment. — At once place the animal in a comfortable, well-ventilated, loose box, as should be done in all affections of the chest ; blanket warmly, give aconite or some of the fever med- icine ; if the case is serious, as stated, it may run into general inflammation of the air-passages, as bronchitis or laryngitis ; also hand-rub and bandage the legs ; the clothing and bandages must be removed twice a day, and the body well rubbed over. Give one or two drachms of aloes in solution, combined with one half drachm of powdered ginger. Steam the head by means of a nose-bag partly filled with scalded bran, into which put an ounce or two of turpentine. Hang the bag on the head same as in cut, being careful not to have it so tight around the nose as to heat or scald it, and be oppressive. Many horses have be'en suffocated by having the bag brought too tightly over the nose. A Fig. 783. —Nose-bag. LARYNGITIS, OR "SORE THROAT: 455 few repetitions of this will cause the nose to run freely. Nurse by giving bran mashes, boiled oats, etc. Rest and care will usually do the rest. In mild cases it is not necessary to use the nose-bag. A few doses of tartar emetic and nitrate of potash may be given daily in a bran mash, and the throat rubbed with a stimulating lin- iment. If there is much inflammation of the throat and air-pas- sages, any good liniment may be applied on the throat and around the chest, and bandaged as shown in the figure. Laryngitis, or " Sore Throat," consists of inflammation of the mucous membrane of the head of the windpipe (larynx). It is generally called " sore throat," and is a very common affection among horses, occurring in a variety of forms, being sometimes of a very acute nature, and running its course with great rapidity ; in other cases of a milder type, and assuming what may be called a sub-acute form. Causrs are similar to catarrh, as undue exposure to cold and variations in the temperature ; but in some seasons it ap- pears as an epizootic disease, large numbers of horses becoming affected with it about the same time. These cases are always of a typhoid nature, more especially when occurring in stables insuf- ficiently ventilated. Syiitptorns of" sore throat " are well marked. The horse holds his head stiff, with his nose poked out, showing the muscles of the neck prominently ; he has con- siderable difficulty in swal- lowing ; if he attempts to drink, part of the water is returned through his nos- trils ; the throat is painful to the touch, and the least pressure excites a violent fit of coughing. At the com- mencement of the disease it is difficult to distinguish it from " dis- temper " (strangles). By the third or fourth day the difference can Fig. 784.— Simple IVlelhod of Covering the Throat. Fig. 785. — Method of Covering the Throat and Chest for Laryngitis. From iVIayhew. il.'Kt /'/.vA'.i.s'A'.s .(.\/' nirii; r i; k \ r m i: .\ r lu! t'lisil)' S("i'H ; till' U'Ui.il lumm nl ilislrmpci ilm ■. unt .ippi ,ii ri\i' |>llUl' varies, III -..Ullr I ,IM ■. ImiI lilllr .ill. 1, .1, in ..ill, 1 •, \ . I \ .jiinl. iiuti wi'.iK. IhiiiMl I'l iilsii >,i,iiiu|4, .111.1 ill. Iiuu iii'ii-. ol ill.' Uiil ll.\ ■■ |>,ll I U ,11 If. 1. 1 1 III He veil- CilHi'S lli. Li . ,il Imi;; li.i .Mill ■, li. ,i\ \ ,111.1 I. ill.. I I. Ml'.. 1>\ ill.' lllil.l >'l I. .mill il.i\ li.'lil till' l>r;;illllllli; i.| I 111 ,ill,ii K, ,1 |;ii'i III .Ii \ . II..U 1 1 1, 1 1 1. 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Ill It, 1 .11 rots, cu, , ,ui\ ti.iul tli.it lu- I .III r.il r,iMl\ Wlu'H tlti- Imwi'U (>ii" coi\stip.itiHl, .!•. i-. ..tirii till' vasi', clystri's ol" soap M\\\ \V(>ti'i' \i\uHt l»<- lVoi'l\- usi'il \\ lull til.' loii^h is sfVfi't' <»uil h.u'kiii^, tin- lollow iu{.j ImU u\.i\ l>i' j^i\rn oiur 01 twiit- .i il,i\ riiimil»i>i' I'.iVVlllMlsl iniiiuu K.\l. lituiiii. .1 ill . I iti. \) Sl'l'. It ll\i' Ivorso is tlviiMtiMVi'il with sulVoiMtioii, tlu- \viiul|>ipc shoiiKI l>i' op.'iu'il, iiml ,t tiilu- insi'i'ti'il. (^Sri- ilfsii iptiou of opt-ratiou iimlfv lii'.ul ol '" ri.ii'lu"otoiu_\'."") Olio of tl\i' liMiliii^ juai'litioui'is ol tlu- loiiiitrs ilii t.itiil to llu- wiitt'f thi- lollowiny »>s his hi-st tri-ali\u>«t : I'umiti.f icrllMtliiii oV tUi> liu'viix. 'Wiu IimmUuHu'Uu) vviuvil^v wnuUi W ; K\l Im.IIoiIoiiuh . riilin'iilo iif )>rtl»»ti »dr. I i»». Willi H aiilUt'ii'iil i|iiiMilit,v i.f lii>i li|. iiiiiilt. Into lilt- t'onu i<( till t-li'i'tmiiv. iiiul n|>- .V Ti; . I .\(; I. /is, 1 1 1; m > //.v A' t>is n; .1/ / ■ /■:/: •I .'.7 pili'.l w III! M M|MMMI In III.' I.ii.knl' llli' lullL'llr M-." ir >r llllll ulllHc' dimi'Mnl' > lllnllllc ul' |i..lii'.|i |Mll illlM M piiil nl' Wilier. Mini llllowr.l I > IvliMihl In rrnlll Ml Ihi' niiiiiiMl. SrUANKI.I'.S, 111; I liiKM I »1M IMITK. riii'. is .nil it liii riiriH III siiir llllll. il i.iMiMini; iiii I'.l l\ in \ iMini; llnl MS II 1 nil U\ I 1 111 In r \ 1 ,11 s I illl, .lllil W llll ll Is l.lllllll.ll I I t "'V'n I'll' lis ill M'Mi SI iins I.I ''s vrf<%iPirJii||illl\V In- 111 I III nu Miinr |iinsiiiiiMi . in.lllri linlil till- s\'slciu, .iiiil Illl .i|l|l 1 I Slll.lllll 111 111 1.1 I'll III! slli'll!;lll 111 (111 .inllll.ll lip, .iih! Ii.ritcii sii|i{ Mil .ll lull 'I'lli' c'xcil iii|; 1 .iiisi ■, .11 .■ sun .,-'- d il.ii ll. 1 .il.ii ill. I i.in ll Imm Ki.i 'iMj. Hormi will) Nlrniiuitiii. I iilil 111 111 .ll, .IS liiiin Illl {MS lillr 111 III.' sl.ilil, , 1 li.ill^;r iilsLllil.' Ilnin ill'' iiMinllN' In Hn i ll\ ll m I III s iniisl I iiinnii.iil)' ill •.piilli;, .iiul IS iisii.ilh' seen III inlil, .l.iiii|i Wl .llllll. Till' |.i 111 i.il s\ ni|.li.nis .III- vrry liiiu li lIu' ■..inn .1-, 1 -.iil.uin .1 in lln- |iii \ ii.ir. ihllii iillic-. I 111 ili-.lin.Mii-Jiiiij; |ii>iiil'.. .iinl llllll I lini'.l'i 111 '.Innilil Ik- ii|irni ll , 1 mil inn. '. In ilr.i li.ir^i'C Illl '.llllll I iini , .mil |;i .nin.il In iiVfiy l.il,. •. |il.i. .' I'.nl ll I In . ,i',r.' is Vfiy H'lu. iHH 8l,n,.l« IWiminil 01 Covorin,, •'■^"" " "'" K'-nv wmsr, nCt.n Ihi) Tumor v»h.m Sllmulnlml. 1 In i.il iinni; In. .iiisr HllllnCil I In- jnii'..' i'. .ilili 111 I'.il III iliiiil-. Inil III ll. , .mil '.liiniMli I'. In, I i,i|inll\ linilniriil I'l . ,v n Ir .1 1 1 .mini I ,il)li', uill v.'lll ll.il 11 1 '.1 .1 II , ilnllir w.niiilv; 1 III. .milli.mil.ii;. I 111 li]','. . mil'..' Iiy j',iviii(; In.m ni.r.li."., iinil.-.l ...lis, c. Hints, ftl. Ilnw. I'i slnmlil \n ii|..'n<'il jiy ilijct I inliH. ttoS DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMEXT. Use freely a poultice made of wheat bran and warm vinegar, chang- ing as often as the poultice becomes dry, using the eight-tailed Fig. 789.— The Eight-tailed Bandage. bandage until the enlargement becomes soft and can be opened, when relief will be prompt. Or the following treatment may be adopted, which is very good, and in some cases may be preferable : Take spirits of turpentine, two parts ; spirits of camphor, one part ; laudanum, one part. Put this on the neck with a brush, if con- venient, or in an)- way to apply it without ex- citing pain, three or four times a day until soreness is caused. After each application, have ready three or four pieces of flannel, which should be a good thick article ; put these over the parts, and bind on with the eight-tailed bandage. Or hot fomentations and poultices can be freely ap- plied to the tumor, so as to encourage the forma- tion of matter. When the tumor points, open it by cutting through the skin, and if necessary enlarge the orifice by pushing in the finger, also small dose- of saltpeter should be given in the feed, or the following powders night and morn- ing : — Fig. too. — The Eight-tailed Bandage as Adjusted. Fig. 791. — Opening theAbsoess in Strangles. Niter 1} oz. Tartar emetic 6 dr. Mix and make into six powders. GLAXDEUS AND FARCY. 459 Sometimes the inflammation is so deep as to cause serious sore- ness and swelling of the throat. In this case the horse must be nursed carefully by feeding warm gruel ; the drink should be warm ; grass or anything that will tempt the appetite should be given. Glanders and Farcy. I consider these difficulties mainly to enable the detection of them to prevent their spreading, as they are extremely contagious to both men and horses. They are incurable, and to guard against the possibility of danger when a case is suspected, the only safe way is at once either to isolate or to destroy the animal. I depend mainly for my explanation of these diseases upon several old authors.* They fully agree with the statements of modern authors that it is practically useless to tamper with glan- ders. Farcy in its early stage can be controlled without difficulty, but the medicine injures the constitution seriously, and in addition, it is rarely that the disease will not soon break out again or develop glanders. Symptmng. — The distinctive appearances which glanders present may be slow in their development, and may continue for years, during which he may feed and work well, constituting cKronic glanders; or they may run on rapidly, and in two or three weeks are well marked and soon come to a fatal termination, when it is called acute glanders. The coat is rough and staring ; he is usually hide-bound ; tje belly drawn up, and constitutional disturbance exists, the pulse being easily excited ; the membrane lining the nostrils is of a leaden hue ; the glands inside the lower jaw where the pulse is felt become enlarged, hard, and nfuJuIar like a mass of peas or beans, especially on the side ^^i^l^fB^^ ' from which the discharge takes place — usually the left, 1'. . *'/ ^.'fS' sometimes the right, or even from both; the discharge is rlear and watery at first, becoming thicker and sticky, ac- cumulating around the nostril ; cough may be present, but it is not an invariable symptom. As it advances, the dis- charge increases, becomes purulent, of a greenish color, sometimes mixed with streaks of blood : it is of a heavy specific gravity, and if dropped into water, sinks to the bottom ; it has a very offensive smell ; the gland on the affected side becomes hard and adherent to the side of the jaw ; ulcerating tu- bercles form on the nostrils, which have a mouse-eaten appearance, being raised and irregular at the edges, and depressed in the center : they run into patches, and spread Fig. TOi. — An Ordinary Case of Farcy. Fig. 793. — A Farcy Bud. * Turner, Touatt, M. Volpi. White, and others. 460 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREAT MEXT. over the whole nasal septum ; weakness and emaciation set in. The ulceration in some cases extends to the cartilages, and even the bones are sometimes impli- cated, when occasional bleedings ensue. Cough is troublesome ; fare}- buds appear in some cases over the body, and he dies a disgusting and loathsome spectacle. Farcy. — Farcy and glanders are essentially the same disease, and depending on the same specific poison in the blood, but manifesting Itself in a different locality. It often occurs in connection with glanders, but is also seen independent of it, run- ning into glanders as it progresses. Symploms. — It usually affects the superficial absorbents of the hind limbs in the groin, extending downward on the inside of the thigh, following the line of the lymphatics, also along the absorbents of the neck and shoulders ; little tu- bercles, or farcy buds, form, which in some cases be- come indurated and lie dormant for a time, but in most cases they go on to ulceration, producing angry, irregular ulcers similar to the ulceration in glanders ; the virus being conveyed along the absorbents, the buds extend in knots; lines of corded and inflamed absorbents are felt extending from below upward, the hair being rough and bristling along their course ; -A Piece of Farcied '^y ^°*^ ^^ swelling of the legs sets in ; as it goes on From Mavhew. ^® becomes emaciated ; the ulceration attacks the nostrils, and glanders and farcy are combined, and death relieves him at last.* A disease called watery farcy must not be mistaken for genuine farcy. As there is liable to be considerable difficulty experienced in diagnosing glanders from common running of the nose from cold, strangles, or nasal gleet, I include the best description I can find of the symptoms as they progress : — • The earliest symptom is an increased discharge from the nostril, small in quan- tity, constantly flowing, of a watery character and a little mucus mingling with it. Connected with this is an error, too general, and highly mischievous, with regard to the character of this discharge in its earliest stage of this disease, when the mischief from contagion is 7nost frequently produced. The discharge of glanders is not sticky when it may be first recognized. It is an aqueous or mucous, but small and con- stant, discharge, and is thus distinguished from catarrh or nasal gleet or any other defluxion from the nostril. It should be impressed on the mind of every horseman that this small and constant defluxion, overlooked by the groom and by the owner, and too often by the veterinary surgeon, is a most suspicious circumstance. Dr. James Turner, an old English veterinary surgeon before referred to, deserves much credit for having first or chiefly directed the attention of horsemen to this im- portant but disregarded symptom. If a horse is in the highest condition, yet has this small aqueous constant discharge, and especially from one nostril, no time should be lost in separating him from his companions.! * Fig. 794 is a very good illustration of a bad case of farcy photographed from life. ■f Mr. Turner, during his experiments, referred to a fine mare that had simply a slight run- ning of mucus from one of the nostrils, which he pronounced glanders, and highly contageous. GLANDERS AND FARCY. 461 This discharge, in cases of infection, may continue, and in so slight a degree as to be scarcely perceptible, for many months, or even two or three years, unattended by any other disease, even ulceration of the nostril, and yet the horse being decid- edly glandered from the beginning, and capable of propagating the malady. In process of time, however, pus mingles with the discharge, and then another and a characteristic symptom appears. Some of this is absorbed, and the neighboring glands become affected. If there is discharge from both nostrils, the glands within the under jaw will be on both sides enlarged. If the discharge is from one nostril only, the swelled gland will be on that side alone. Glanders, however, will fre- quently exist at an early stage without these swelled glands, and some other diseases, Fig. 795. — A Bad Case of Farcy. Photographed From Life by Prof. Cressy. as catarrh, will produce them. Then we must look out for some peculiarity about these glands, and we shall readily find it. The swelling may be at first somewhat large and diffused, but the surrounding enlarge- ment soon goes off, and one or two small distinct glands remain ; and they are not in the center of the channel, but ad/iere closely to thejain on the iiffected side. The membrane of the nose should now be examined, and will materially guide our opinion. It will either be of a dark purplish hue, or almost of a leaden color, or of any shade between the two ; or if there is some of the redness of inflamma- tion, it will have a purple tinge ; but there will never be the faint pink blush of health, or the intense and vivid red of usual inflammation. Spots of ulceration will Regardless of his advice, the mare was sold. Months afterward he found a number of horses in a stable suffering from glanders, all having undoubtedly taken the disease from this mare, she having been worked and stabled with them. A large number of cases are referred to by others, caused by being put into the stalls that had been occupied by horses showing the above symptoms ; in one case one horse was the means of inoculating a whole troop of army horses, making it necessary to destroy them all. So it is best to be on the safe side, by taking the greatest possible precaution when a case is suspected. 4r,2 i)isi:.\si':s a.vu tiieiu theatmest. jpriiliulil.V Miipcm- (111 llic iiicialiriuic I'livniri^,' llic i'iirlilaf;c nf the iki.mc, iint. merely Korij pliiceH, or HlreakH of iiliniHiiiii, and (|uile Mi|icMll<'iiil, but small iih'orH, UHually iiliproaeliiiiK to a cireiilar form, dceii, and willi llii' edtrcs abrii|it and ]iroiiiinciit. Wlieii lliese appuaraiK^CH aru ohHorved, llnre can he no dcnilil alioiil, IIk' inalt.er. When idcerH bcKin to appear on tlie iiuMidiraiie id' Ihc imsr. tlie ciiiisliliitinii of the horse Is hikmi evi(hMitly alTeeted. Tlie palieiit loses llesli ; his belly is tiieUed up ; Ills eoal, iinlhrifly, and readily comes oil' ; tin! appelilo is impaired ; the Ktn^n;,'th fails ; cou(ih, moro or less ur^iMd,, may be heard ; lh(! dischargo from the nose will ineroaso in (luantity, It will bo discolored, l)loody, olTensivo to tho smell ; the ulcers In the nose will bw^omo lari,'(M' and moro numerous, and the air i)asHaf,'e.s beinj^ oh- Hlruclcd, a f.'ratin.i,C. ('hoking noise will lie heard al every acl of lircalhin;,'. Tlierc is now a, peculiar tiMidernesH about llu^ forehead. 'I'lii^ iiiciniiraMc liniii^j; Ihc I'l'imlal nImuscs is inllauied and ulcerated, and Ihc intc<;'ument of tin; fondiead liecomes thicUi'ned and somewhat swelled. I'.niy i^ mow superadded to f^landers, or glanders has def,'enerated into farcy, imd moie of the absorbc^nts arc involved. At or lieforo this time littlo tumors appear about tho nuisch^s and faoo and noek, following ths will be llirown CLANDERH AND FARCY. 403 (ilT, Iciivin;; a peculiar kiiiddl' ulcer, vvliicli will dflcii s|ircnil rii|ii(lly, I'aiisiiif^ a pain ful HWclliii;^ of llio udjacont partB, wilh c(}nl(Ml lyiiiplml,icH ami farcy hiid.s. In almul. a fnitni,i;lit the (,'laii(l(;rH will appoar. I'rof. Koljirt Jcimings, of Detroit, ail old vc-terinarian of much experience, speaks in tiic Veterinary Jonnial of Comparative Medi- cine of a number of cases supposed to be glanders, which proved to be caused by ulceration of the teeth, which lie ciirc'd withf)iit dif- ficulty. Could refer to ;i nimilur of cases f)f this cliar.ictc:r if neces- sary. The test of inoculation would of course be conclusive. Treatment. — The followin^^ are favorite prescriptions for farcy : — Arsenic 5 \iy. Kxt. iiu.\ voin I (jr. h'or a drench in a ])int of water twice a day. — Prof. W'illiniiis. Sulphate of copper , 1 ijr. Iodine 1 dr. This amount in a pint of water twice daily.- — I'rof. Williams. iHulpliale of copp(;r \ dr. Bulpliate of zinc ^ dr. Auise-sei^d I) dr. Make into a ball with common mass, and give once a day. — Prof. Gam gee. Hulpliatc of cop|)cr I dr. Calomel I ,scr. (/'oninion turpcnlliie. 8 dr. to .J oz. Licorice powder, enough to form the ball.-- Prof. Colniiaii. Three draehni.s of Kuljiliate of cop|H!r j^ivcn (rvery iiiglil in llie food until the animal refuscH to eat. After a few day.s repeat ; but if the case Ih bad, give the nujd- ieine in water aH a drench, if he will not take it in his food. — An Old Practitvmer. The following, which was obtained by the writer years ago in Ohio, was regarded as very valu.il)le for the cure of farcy. It was claimed to be a great secret, and was r<-j)eate(lly sold for fifty dol- lars as a specific for farcy : — Sulphur 1 Hi. Saltpeter \ lb. I'lac'k antimony 1 oz. If acute, give one tablespoonfid twice a day. If sidj-acute, once or twice a week. Two parties who have used the above assured the writer that they had cured farcy with it, and regarded it as a very valuable prescription. The ulcers are to be ojjcned and dressed with disinfi.'Ctants, and treated as for an ordin.iry ulcer, great care bc-ing take-n not to get 464 DISEASES AiXI> Til El 11 TREATMENT. any on the person, as, should there be the least abrasion of the skin, it would inoculate the system. It is pro])er in this connection to state that glanders may be de- veloped in consequence of being kept in low, damp, badly ventilated stables, when debilitated by hard work and insufficient nourishment ; also as a sequel of weakening complaints, such as neglected or im- properly treated strangles, influenza, etc. When glanders is known to have existed in a stable, or is se- riously suspected, it is advisable to thoroughly cleanse the manger, etc., so as to prevent the possibility of contagion. The most careful experiments ha\e ])rovi(l that glanders can only be communicated by the virus ; and though it may be dried and lay for even a year, it has still sufficient vitality to impregnate with the disease. It has been supposed that the only way to get rid of it would be to tear down the stable and build it anew — an old veterinarian of much ex- perience so stated to the author as his opinion. But the following precautions are now regarded to be entirely sufficient : The manger, rack, or whatever there has been within the reach of the horse, upon which matter could he thrown or could touch, — and this will include partitions and every part or object in the vicinity,— should be scraped, and scoured with soap and water, and then thoroughly washed with a solution of chloride of lime, about a ])inl of the chloride to a pailful of water ; the walls should be whitewashed ; the pails newly painted, and the iron work exposod to a red heat ; the halters, clothing, etc., used upon the case should he burned. The onl\- means of preventing the disease is to keep the stable cool and well ventilated. Hot, close, and badly ventilated stables, it is claimed by all authors, are strong causes of the disease. There are many jockeys who make it a business to trade for horses of this character, fi.v: them up by cleansing the nostrils, etc., and trade them off. As before stated, during the early stage it can only be detected by slight running from the nose. Such villainous l)ractice cannot be too severely condemned as a crime, which should he prom])tly ])unishcd to the e.vtent of the law. Chronic Couiwi is often a secjui-l of sore throat Haryngitis), as also of distemper (strangles), ami is a disease from which, when once fairly estab- lished, complete recover}- seldom occurs. It consists of a chronic inflammation of the manv glands imbedded within the lining mem- brane of the larj-nx, causing an irritation of that highly sensitive organ. The cough is easily excited by jiressurc externally, and is cimoxn: ('vuaii. 465 of a deep, hollow nature, dilTcrin^' matL-riaiiy from the louil sonorous sound of a healthy cough. It is often associated with other diseases of the chest, as broken wind, thick wind, etc. The cough is generally most severe in the morning or after meals, and is always aggravated by gross feeding. Ill many cases chronic cough interferes but little with a horse's use- fulness, especially if he is used for ordinary farm work ; but it must be considered an unsoundness. Treatment. — If the horse has been affected for some time, treat- ment is generally very unsatisfactory, and must be more of a pallia- tive than a remedial nature. If only recently, treatment may be undertaken with better chances of success. Give the cough ball as recommended for laryngitis, and apply the following liquid blister, or any good counter-irritant, externally, and in some cases great benefit will attend the use of setons. Olive-oil, oil of turpentine, aijiui aininoniii, (mjiihI |)iirts. To be shaken well, and rubbed on with the hand. If occurring from intestinal disorder, the treatment of course must be directed to the proper seat. The medicinal treatment is greatly assisted by feeding the animal ])ro])erly and regularly, giving small quantities of food at a time ; carrots in winter, and green food in summer should be given. Feeding nice clean corn-stalks is much better than hay ; if hay is fed, it should be bright and clean, or the dust shaken out of it, and dampened a little, and of this only a lim- ited quantity should be given. If a greedy eater, either remove from his reach the bedding, which he will be likely to eat, or put on a muzzle. The following are also excellent cough remedies : — Camphor 1 'If' Powdered opinni 1 dr. Powdered di;,'it!ilis 1 dr. Calomel -1 '"K '" work. The lisil,il mil IkhI c.r tic.il nii-nl .tclMpli-d liy " jni keys," is to UviX thi: liorsc; nii < iil i yi- -t i .iw , to Iced vclj'litllr h.iy , and I o fcrd ail .•diinciil '. d.iiii|i(ncd. Kyi.' .straw is cut ;is you would rut li.iy, then mixed w'illi III. in or middliiif^s, into which a li.millul of salt is aildcd, and il.im|ienc (1 with ualer. This is fed cvcrj- iiijdil. Oats and other j^i.iiii is always (lam|)(ned. 1 )r;nij^'lit lior?ies W-xX in litis way seldom show any sign of heaves. j'rof. Law rej.;ards the foMowinj.; ;is the liesl |)re|).irat ion for heaves : Arsenic (Fo whir's solution.) 1 o/.. Milladoiina exi 1 dr. 'I'iiict. of Kii'k'er. \ dr. Mi.\ with ,1 piiil of \\,iter for ,i dreiuli ,iiid L;ivc every morning' for ;i mont li or t wo. !\ r.u'oiite reined)' loi- lie.ives, used by I'ldf, 1 )iek-, priiieipal of I'dinhiirj^h College, and undoubtedly of great value, is: — Camjihor, digitalis, opium, calomel, of each, .'10 j^rs. l;OAI!INC„ Fig. 811,— Showing Adhesive Inflammation of the Pleura. 4KH DISICASICS AM) Til Ell! Tl; i:.\T M KXT. f(ir |)Ic-iiiiHy, ;i'i so ddiiii; will ( ,iiim- i- iMiiilcil !))' N'mu.iII .hkI iillicT j;ii(((l nld .ml h'ii ll i(", wliu iiiwii i.dily .idviMil llii', 1 1 i-,il iiiiiil . TIm Ii.IIii I., ,iid WW K.idir,, I III! Imlr ,iIm. ih,' ilii ,-i t i.nis l^ivc-n li>' I'lnf \V. W. Willi, nil'., |.r( ••.idiiil ..I llu n.-w V'\ r.diiiliiiiidi, :m , ,11,111(1 : I I'lnrr IJM' i.iiliMiil In M wrjj v.'iilliiili'il I ,' \h,\, hijl wlictv III.' iiir Ik not loo I'liiil •i. CloMlx MIkI WII>|> lllc' ImmI^. <'M in.iil Ir: . I ImmmI ill Mlihll.lr IpiiI linl Ino Imiivy rliilliH. !l. (Ilvii ll M'. I ll wiili'i MH ll will iliiiilt. imMiii;.; ll. Ilii' wiili'i, 11 llii'ir I' iinirli fi'Vi'l. Mill. Ill Mil i.lllirr i,r lillrr, or 'Jll In III! i||'i,{im oI° IIiii'Iim'k nl' lli'iillilr, In lll<< llll. Urlllll 'I. ir lliii liiiWdU am lioiiiiil, IniiHiin lliniii liy liijcrllmiH nf nil m wmimi ivnli-r n. ir Ulltril Ih llllll'll WdllkllltHH, k'VII IWn llnichlllH ('Mill nf rMllmllUll' III M Ilill itiiil i'iiiii|ilini', In lliii rnriii of ii liiill, Iwli'ii iliiily. ' II. I,i>l. lliii I' I Iki Hliiiplii, liiviillvK, mnlliiK. Iinil liillrlllniiH, in liiiiii. Imiliil liii nimmI iniml, ){nnil hiiy, or innKiiil riiirniN nr liil'nl|iH. 7. If liincN'iiilii illiuilli'll nr |iri)l'llHii hIiiIcIm^^ cniiwi nii, lliry mi' 'm nn mi niiiil In )lii I'liiu'kiMl, UN IIiIh Ih iiii cirnrl nf iiiiliiin In llii'nw nil' llin iIIhuuni'. H ir llirin III i^nuil. i.xliiuiNllnii. in. .ilii'Mld linHi'N n|' wliUUy limy lie kIvi'M, lull IIm'K' I' I'lr III' pilNhlllK Ihnni. mil i llnll (.'niMJ i>ir>'>'lN itrn Nonii HiMMi. rill .llli til lull I.I lllr Willi I jl.r. Ill I'll |l.ll I II lll.ll 1\' dill, ll'd In till- v.iliK 1,1 llii I, Ml iiirdii nil 1,1 Inn- III iiiiuiniidid in llir lir.il- liii III 1,1 |,li nii.\ .mil |iniimii ,111.1. lliiMin; llir \i.ii i,l lir. -.lay in Hull. ill, uilli hi. Siiiimn I \ llir, il w .r. iii\'.iii.il ily n id Im .ill ciscs 1,1 llnll'. .mil li\'ii Willi I iin.il L.iMc .success, llidird, llir wiiliT (l<,i', 111,1 ii'iin mill I .1 Mirdi- l.il.il , a-.v, c-vcll (if IIh.m lli.il li.id l„iii caused l,\' is|ii,-.iiii , 1,1 In, 111 l,.idl\ \ ml il.ili d •.l.iMi., m i.l .in (■pi/(ii,lii I li.ii .11 ll I , ^\ Inn III. ill ll williiii .1 I I'.i'.i ni.dilr Ii'Ii;M|i iif linn lllr iiMl.il i.iiii-.r w .n. I il.i like I i iii' llir lli,l-.r i i nil 1. ,| 1 .1 1 ,1 \' W.iiin .mil {;i\ nn; tlin. iiinl n iiir, in .dunil llir pi i ,| n n I n ni .iiid .it I lie illlrl \-.ll'. ■.I.lird, lllr '.i/r .mil lllr > i ,| i d 1 1 li ,l| i,| lllr i.r.r i Id r I ll 1 i 1 1 i llj; lldW mill ll ll, !'.i\'i'. .A r.ii'.il iii.m\' linii', wliilr mi llir in. id tlic wiilii li.r. li.id i,ii.i-,imi In II-, r llin, nirdn mr Im iliill. .iinl IcvcT, and .d\v.i\-. Hilli Mil < (■',•.. inilrid, il llm, n, r|\,n pmiiipiU, witl> anylliiiii'. Id.r nidm.in i.iir, .ndril |i\ nllin inr.iir, .n, diirilrd, tllrlr nrrd |,r |,nl 1 1 1 I Ir il,m | ;r I . .| I.l 1 1 ll I i II 1 1 pi 1 1 1 1 1 i ■., .1 ■. I r pr .1 1 - rdU •. I.lird, In l.ikr lllr i.r.r III li.md | pll\ .il lllr '.l.iil ; w.lhll ( liiM U Ihr inlldlllnll nl lllr .mmi.ll lll.ll ll.l. Iiirll rxll.lll'.lrd, n|' ll.ilil dlUrii, .Mill 1 \pi,,ril In I nld, (■■,piii.ill\ diiini:; illilU. I.im\- Wcilllri, .mil ll .my mdii .lllnii .,| iliill n. in ,| n r.il ,lr , ;m\ r .i lil I Ir nl' ri.ia'h'ISY IHO ^ll(• Icvt-r iiuiliiiiic li\ I >i , Simimci villi- M.' Sons, .iiicl .Lihlc- kccpcis will (In will 111 iiidcr il of lliciii. Ailili <•■.'., I'l. Win. Siiiii- nuTvillcvS,' Sons, l'_'7 I'.rir Si.. Itnll.il.., N. \'. I)K. Mi;vi;k's Tim^.x rMi'.NT hou 1'nI''.iim()NI.\. In iiin v<-i'..il inn willi I )r. M(\(i mi lli<- 1 1 r.il inciil nl |inMil.inl .nldilion In wli.il I li.us- .ilnsidy jdvcn nn 1 111- suiijfi I : Iliivit tlm lUiliiiiil wi'll hliiiiKcli'iJ mihI imii'iI Inr In n iduMiy Hhill. wlii^ic lli«i'« In pldiily iif I'li'i'iiIiLllii)^' nil', and Kivii oiiii cil' llin riillowliiK IhiIIn iivmy (il^lit. Ikiiiih: (!|irllllll!llll llf IIMllllllllIll I o/,. I'lilvcMl/.cd c'liiiiciiim ImrU 'i\ o/,. I'liJvrM'l/iMl mix voiiilcM ..^ , .,,.,, J «/.. I'iilv.-il/,.(l .IlKllnliii liMVii II dr. I'lilvci'l/.i'il ^.M'iillnii 9 oai. Make inin .iidll l.alls. Also c.ivc IJii- lollowinn in w.ilcr tvviic ii day.: — Nli.niii^ (if |.(iImhIi 07-. Hlc.inli(iiiii.l<; ri'olii llm HiMll lo III.' ,'I;/I>||, ,li,y. I)K. Mi':vi';u's 'luiiATMiiNr i(ii< I'l.i'.iiuisv. SlimploiiiH ndlicr nliNciirn. Aiiliiiid ilidl, diij.M'Icd, (dT IiIh fund. mwimiIm I'liNJIy. pulHiiUon rriMii (Id Id H(l, Hiiiiill mid wcitk. liiiii|iiinilin'ii |li;!J|" lolOI"; idiovd UiIh In Niirit diiiil.li. HoiiiiHliiicM llii'i'd U II. coii^li I'lniii coiMiiiniii'KMKiiil. lull, on.i'ii III' III alioiil llidf llin i^ltNi'H llKM'n III no coiirli. Duiiii;' llii- lln.l. IIuimi oi lour diiyrf llin nx 1 1 1'inll Inn and (iiii'H arn alU^riiiili'ly liol. iiml i old, ii|>|M'liln iilnioi.l. wliolly loiil.. 'I'lin Ircid iind urinary Hncrnl.lniiH urn conHldcialily InnHnnml. 'I'lin ininilniiin' ol' noun and cynH am liiJiM'titd. Toii/^iKi Ih \t,Mwri\.\\y find, InOly liii'liml ii|i. dori not. Iln ilowii. 'I'lio t.linrarln wiiIIh am lUrd, lirnalliliiK mIiiiohI. wlinlly aliilinnliiiil, llin nllioWH Uiriind. If iniiiln to inipvii Hiiddniily, nHpiTlally \nrn\n\i, hlioil, iiroiiMil. Minin Im a (^roaii or Krnwl. HrnallilliK <|llli'U or i'mIi'IiIiik llkn iiiid hIioiI. Ofli'ii tint tIkIiI nidn only U allVrlnd, TrmlMimt. Ilol apiillitiil.loriH to llin clini't,. 'I'IiIh inn Im donn lunt, liy wrln^liiK lilanlciitM (lilt (if hill, water and applyliiK tliniii to llin iliitnl. two or llintn liliiiiKntH. oiin ovnraiKit.liitr. and nil rovnicd witli oII-iIdIIi or olliir lilanUnl.H no an to Imnp In llm liniit. Kill) lliiiliH with ali'oliol ; tiny iiiiiy alno lin looNnly liandiiKnd. Oim of llin followln^i: InillM nlionlil Im kIvcii nvi'iy rl|.dil. InnirH : - 490 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. Powdered opium J oz. Muriate ammonia. 1 j oz. Powdered cliincona barli 3 oz. Mix and make into six balls. Give the animal anything he will eat or drink. If the horse is taken during the early stages, this will cut it short in from 48 to 60 hours. If in an after stage swelling begins to show itself below the chest walls, that is, between the fore legs, and extending backward, shows the least symptom of the trouble known as hydrothorax, give the following remedy: Fluid extract digitalis, from twenty to twenty-five drops, more or less according to the size of the horse, every four hours, and continue until the swelling begins to lessen, then the intervals of giving the drops should be lengthened to eight hours. If the swelling is very large, the skin should be punctured in from twentj- to thirtj"- places, and the parts bathed with hot water three or four times a day. Hydrothorax, or Water in the Chest. This is a sequel of pleurisy when neglected or not treated properly, and which can scarcely be said to be curable. When pleurisy is running into this difficulty, there may be some appear- ance of recovery ; the breathing and fever are not so intense ; the horse will perhaps eat a little ; the skin looks sleek and glossy ; these signs of improvement may continue for several days, but if the pulse is gradually increasing in frequency, and its strength diminish- ing, there is undoubtedly water forming in the chest. When this has taken place to any great extent, there is diffi- culty in breathing, and a flapping of the nostrils ; the eyes are clear and unnaturally prominent ; the intercostal spaces bulge out, and the ear applied to the chest can only detect the respiratory mur- mur above the surface of the fluid ; the legs and breast will swell ; the circulation becomes more and more impaired, the pulse getting weak and indistinct. Prof. W'illiams states, in relation to the cause of hydrothorax : "Of the termination of pleuro-pneumonia in hydrothora.x, I have only to say that since I have abandoned the heroic or counter-irri- tating treatment [he advises hot fomentations to the chest ; discards all blisters and irritants], hydrothorax has been almost unknown to me. For this the principle of treatment is stimulants, tonics, and diuretics." I give the treatment of a leading authority, who advises as follows : — Give a pint of warm ale combined with one ounce of nitrous ether three times a day; blisters applied to the .sides, and iodide of potassium in 1 drachm doses twice a day; feed the animal on nutritious and easily digested food. When a large accumulation of fluid takes place, it must be removed by tapping. The puncture is usually made in the intercostal space between the seventh and elev- enth ribs, near the junction with the cartilages. The space between the eighth and TYPHOID FXEUMOKIA. 491 ninth is usually recommended. An incision is first made with a lance through the skin, the trochar and canula is carefully pushed through the muscles and pleura, directed slightly upward and backward, keeping it close to the anterior border of the ninth rib, so as to avoid wounding the intercostal artery; when the trochar is with- drawn, the fluid flows freely through the tube ; sometimes it gets obstructed by co- agula of lymph, which should be cleared by inserting a small whalebone staff. Care must be taken not to allow air to enter the cavity, as death has often occurred from this cause during the operation. It is advised before making the incision to draw the skin aside so as to form a valvular wound, at the same time taking care to prevent the entrance of any air. The operation may be repeated in a day or two on the other side ; but in most cases the relief is but temporary. In any event tonic treatment, such as sulphate of iron, tincture of gentian, stimulants and diuretics, iodide of potassium, are to be depended upon if successful. Hydrothorax was a very common result of pleurisy, when treated by bleeding, blistering, etc. The congestion or inflamma- tion in the first place is due to debility, and bleeding only increases it ; and especially when the bleeding is repeated, though for a time there was apparent relief, fever and increased debility followed, re- sulting usually unfavorably. The treatment advised for pleurisy, if the case is attended to promptly, even though very severe, will be found so effective as to leave but little probability of any serious effusion taking place. Typhoid Pneumonia. Cause is mainly attributed to those influences which interfere with the general health and vigor of the animal, among which stand pre-eminently overcrowding, improper ventilation, confinement in damp, filthy stables, drinking bad water, holding in solution decom- posing, organic matters, insufficient nourishment, and undue expos- ure, together with what may be termed, generally, atmospheric causes. Syviptovis. — The horse is off his feed, disinclined to move, appetite gone, pulse weak and low ; will sometimes eat a little, will not lie down, stands hanging his head, is listless and stupid, not much cough, rarely any discoloration of the membrane of the nose or eyes ; urine scanty and high colored ; feces hard and coated. After two or three days the membrane of the nose and eyes is a little discolored or red, pulse quicker, 65 or 70, breathes quicker. About the fourth or fifth day there is usually a discharge from the nostrils, of a blackish brandy-colored serum. Treatment. — As the word typhoid means low, it is necessary to watch it carefully in that stage, which will last, as described in the symptoms, the first four or five days, when in many cases the pulse may run down to thirty. Stimulants should be used at this st^ge, 4!)2 J>/S/:\tS/:'S AM) Til I- 1 1: Tl! F. AT MHXT. siicli as a lilllc liiMiuly and vv.itii- nr w liisk\- ami u.itcr. A ^ill or two of 11(111111 In Ik- ).;ivcii as a diciu li ; dr what is much l)cttcr, take I .irl)iiiialf nC aiiiiiiiiiiia, iVnm mic In tun di.u Inns, pnu ilcicd tjint;iT runt, mu- to two diaihius, inadr into a hall with lioiu-y or molasses, and |,nvi-n twiit- a day. it shmild he icincinhircd that this treatment alone is intended only Inr the Imv sla.i;e of tlu- disease. When the |iiiKc snins tn lisc to til'ty or sixty ahoiil the fiftll or sixth day, the patinil slnuild then he treated as liir plemisy, with le\er niediiine. I'nder the inlliieiiee of the latter treatment the imlse will leeede and resume its natural number of heats (liiit\ 1. Ill tliis fnrm nf disease the horse is extremely pros- trated at liist, the whole s_\stem hein^; inactive. The ])ulse may run up in time to seventy, or even eij^hty. The horsi' should be kept moder.itely w.irm, clolhinj^ thoroi'ii^hly the he. id, nei 1^, .ind e\l remit ies ; he should h.ive a Comfortable, well- \'eiil il.ited St. ill ; open tile bowels by ciiciu.is ; {.jive tepid water to drink, in w hieh is ,i little nit i .ite i if potash, as advised for pneumonia. Nurse ihe horse with anjthiuj.; he will e.it, — ;i handful of wet hay, a cariiit or two, .in .ipple or a potato, or anything; of an alterative n.iture. He e.ireliil not to e.xercise loo soon, Hki iM III ris. HroiK'hitis, or inll.imm.itinn nf the miienus nuinbrane of the brniuhi.d tubes, is often ass(jciated with inll, iinm.it ion of tlu' liin^js, but also occurs as a separate affeetinn. Causes are similar to nt her puliiinn.u)- dise.isis. It is a result of laryngitis or catarrh ; or il ni.iy depend on atmospheric inllu- enccs, and in these cases il is .dwa_\'s accnnip.inied with i;ie.it we.tk- ncss and prostration. Syi>if>toiiis. — There is .i short, drv, .md hiiskj' couL;h, speedily becomiuL;' more prolonL;ed. When ,i horse gives a natural cough, he ojiens his mcuith .i little ; but w lun l.iboriiig iiiuier this disease, he keei>s his mouth closed, tiyiiii.; to suppress tlu' cough. As the disoase aiU'.uues, the mouth becomes hot .iiiil dry, Ihe e,irs and ex- tremities alternately hot anil ct)ld, the pulse not hard and wiry as in pleurisy, but soft and compressible, and the respirations are cpiick and llollow. If ihe e.ir be applied to the bre.ist, a r.ittling sound can easil)' be detected ; the bowils .ire iiKictive, and the a])petite is gone. Death may occur in from three to five ilays. Trcatiucut the same as for I. iryngitis, explained on page 455; counter-irritation to the thro.it, and if there is fever, give fever med- corjn. 493 iciiic nr a(()iiilc, as for piu'umoni.i. ICtlic couj^li is very dislrcssiiij;', [rivr tile Inllnwinj^r cvfl')' iii5_;lil ami lllninill^ : — E.vlriict (if l)cllail()iiim 1 dr. I'owdoicd (li(,'itiillH 2 Hcr. CiiriiplKir 1 ilr. I'liWlllTod (i|>il]|ll 1 Hy hots ; anolln r pciiia|)s be- lieves it is Ijelly-ache ; wliili- others who may be pr<;sent are likely to be equally ])ositivc in su])|)osinfj llu; trouble to be caused by somcthinff else. 'I'lu- treat mint, loo, is usually on the same iirinci- ple, eciually doidjllul, if not lidii nious. The first and most common remedy is plunf,nnj,'' a knife into the roof of the- horse's moutii to i)lei;d, " so as to i(ive blood to tlir hal s, or rcliriu' llir < ulir, or w/uitriifr it is " ; this hai)-hazard cuttiiif^ is li.able lo srvc r the jialale arlcry, and cii- dan^^erthe horse's bleedin^r tn death, 'riie mxt resourci: is likely to be that of runiung the hors<- up and down the street, or kickiiij^ him in the belly, ^ivin^ sweet milk and molasses, etc. No one woidd pretend to be .able to e.xplain dilinitely the nature of tin- Iroidile; but they /)r/ii-,>((/ it was this, that, or somclhin;( else, ,incl the conse- ciuence was that the poor horse was liabK; to be tnrlnird for hours. 494 DISEASES A XI) THE Hi Til EAT 21 EXT. often killed, by cruelty or repeated dosing with remedies that were not applicable to the case. While it is true a horse may show the symptoms of colic, from a variety of causes, which would mislead the judgment of even good practitioners, it is so exceptional as to be scarcely worth referring to here. It was stated in another part, by the writer, that he employed a veterinary surgeon of unusual skill and experience to instruct him in his method of treatment for the cure of such diseases as are most common and dangerous to horses in this country, including the prescriptions used by him for the same. The first morning, while waiting in the office for the commence- ment of this instruction, the doctor came in hurriedh-, saying, "There is a horse here that has the colic ; I wish you to observe his condition carefully ; notice what will be done for him ; in the meantime read ev- ery authority in the librarj' on the causes and symptoms of colic, but do not read the treatment, as the treatment given in books is not re- liable, and would only mislead you." As directed, I noticed care- fully the condition of the case and uie effect of the treatment, which was favorable. In the meantime I read up on the subject, and that evening I was given a lecture on colic, when the doctor informed the writer that he had killed hun- dreds of horses before he knew how to treat it successfully ; and that the treatment given in books, and generally advised, could not be depended upon to cure colic with anything like certainty ; that even veterinary surgeons of very high standing could not feel any certainty of being able to cure colic ; that it was found especially difficult to cure flatulent colic, or tympanites. " Now," said he, "we can cure every case that comes into this stable, if we can have an opportunity of treating them within a reasonable length of time, or before there is a collapsed condition of the circulation. The opportunities for treating colic in the Infirmary were very many. The Erie Canal heads at that place, which necessarily con- centrated a large number of canal horses in the vicinity, which, with those of the city, brought to the Infirmary almost every day a number of horses suffering with colic ; and during my experience there of a year, there was not a single death from this cause ; and Fig. 813.— First Stages Of Spasmodic Colic Somewliat Exaggerated. Mayliew. COLIC. 495 since then, extending over a period of twenty years, I have used the same treatment in the cure of a great many cases, and had it used under my supervision, without the loss of a single case ; this treat- ment I give first, having the utmost confidence in its great value. There are two forms of this disease, namely, spasmodic and flat- ulent colic. The first is wholly of a spasmodic nature, and if not promptly relieved, will, in severe cases, run into inflammation of the bowels, causing speedy death. The second, while exhibiting the same general symptoms, shows marked enlargement of the belly, from generation of gas, which, if not checked and neutralized, results Fig. 814. — First Stage of Spasmodic Colic. fatally, by rupturing the diaphragm, causing suffocation and death. The advantage of this treatment for colic was, first, in making a fair trial of the best antispasmodic, laudanum ; then, if it failed to give relief, or if there was relapse, bleeding promptly, which not only gave relief with more certainty, but prevented a tendency to inflammation, thereby making a cure when medicine proved unavail- ing. Second, in giving peppermint for flatulent colic. He found by experiment that peppermint was the only remedy he could depend upon for neutralizing the distending gas ; and its combination with ether, as the best for giving relief. Causes. — The common causes of colic are a sudden change in the feed ; very often during the summer, when running at pasture. 496 DISEASES A .YD THEIR TREAT ME XT. if taken up for a day, and a feed of oats or dry food given, it is apt to cause gripes ; feeding new oats or new corn is a common cause ; applications of cold water to the body ; drinking freely of cold Fig. 815. — Second Stage of Spasmodic Colic. water when heated, especially if hard well-water, often gives rise to a severe attack ; worms and other intestinal irritants may induce it ; costiveness and unwholesome food often cause it ; overloading Fig. 816. —Third Stage of Spasmodic Colic. the stomach, or being put to work on a full stomach, will give rise to it. Symptoms. — The animal is suddenly seized with pain in the bowels, becoming restless and uneasy, crouching, sometimes strik- ing up toward the belly with the hind foot, looking round to his COLIC. 497 flanks, evincing great distress ; he gets down after several apparent efforts, rolls about, sometimes on his back, sometimes quite over.* (These symptoms are in part illustrated by Figs. 814-816, which are ideal, but will serve to give an idea of the symptoms. Fig. 813, which I copy from Mayhew, is considerably exaggerated, the head being held too high, showing too excited and nervous an expression, and the hind leg brought too near the body. Fig. 81-i shows a com- mon symptom during the early stage.) Profuse perspiration breaks out over him. The paroxysm soon passes off, and he gets up, shakes himself, and begins feeding ; during the interval the pulse is unal- FiGs. 817, 818. — Forms of Graduated Hypodermic Syringe Frequently used in Treating Colic. tered ; the legs and ears are natural in temperature. After an in- terval of longer or shorter duration, the attack returns, perhaps with increased violence, when he gathers himself, falls down and rolls about as before. As the disease advances, the symptoms become more severe. Youatt, in his description of colic, contrasts its symptoms with those of inflammation of the bowels, and though not exactly accord- ing to modern authorities, it will materially aid the reader in de- termining the difference ; so I include it. I would also refer the *He may also act as if he wanted to make water, which he cannot do, there being a spas- modic contraction of the urethra. Hence the desire to give diuretic medicine. Straining in this way is usually prompted by a desire to relieve the muscles of the belly. No diuretic medi- cine should be given, as the horse cannot pass urine until the attack of colic ceases, or it is taken from him with a catheter. It is very seldom necessary to use the catheter. In fact, it is not necessary to p.ay any attention to this symptom. As soon as relieved of the colic, the horse will pass water freely. 33 a 498 DISEASES AXD THE 1 1! THE ATM EXT. reader to the description of each by Dr. Meyer, which follows on page 5011. COLIC. INFL-^MMATIOX. Sudden in its attack. Gradual in its approach, with pre- vious indications of fever. Pulse rarely much quickened in the Pulse very much quickened, but early stage of the disease and during small, and often scarcely to be felt, the intervals of ease, but evidentlj' fuller. Legs and ears of natural temperature. Legs and ears cold. Relief obtained from rubbing the Belh' exceedingly tender to th,e belly. touch. Relief obtained from motion. Motion evidently increasing the pain. Intervals of rest. Constant pain. Strength scarcely affected. Rapid and great weakness. If not checked, or there is not relief, it runs into inflammation of the bowels, which is very fatal, and the point is to combat and overcome it before running so far as to resist treatment. This disease being wholly of a spasmodic character, it must be counteracted by antispasmodic treatment ; and laudanum being the most powerful and reliable antispasmodic, it is indicated. Treatment. — Give from two to three ounces of laudanum and a pint of raw linseed oil.* If not better in an hour, give two ounces of laudanum and the same quantity of oil. If there is not relief in a reasonable time after the second dose is given, take from six to twelve quarts of blood from the neck vein, according to the size of the horse and the severity of the attack. t Always in bleeding make the orifice large, and extract the blood as quickly as possible. In the Infirmary the practice was, as stated, to try the medicine, and as soon as convinced it was not sufficient to relieve the case, no time was lost in bleeding. Or, if a case was brought in that had been suffering some time, not only medicine was given, but bleeding was resorted to at once. TV.MPANITES, OR FLATULENT COLIC. Symptoms the same as in spasmodic colic, with the difference of * This is the dose advised for a large horse. For a medium or small-sized, nervous-tem- pered animal, two thirds the quantity would be equally large. f It will rai-ely be found necessary to resort to bleeding if the case is attended to promptly, and in only very serious cases, where the horse is fat and large, is so large a quantity of blood to be taken. In ordinary cases, six to eight quarts would be sufficient. TYMPANITES, OR FLATULENT COLIC. 499 there being so great an accumulation of gas in the stomach and in^ testines that the belly is swelled. This disease will often prove fatal in from one to three hours. It is generally very sudden in its at- tacks, often occurring while the ani- mal is at work, particularly dur- ing warm or changeable weather ; but it is generally caused by in- digestion, producing gases in the bowels and stomach.* Treatment. — Blanket comforta- bly, so as to keep up evaporation, and immediately give the following as a drench : — Peppermint 2 oz. Sulphuric etlier. 2 oz. Water. 1 pt. Shake up thoroughly, and keep covered with the hand or cork before administering. If not relieved, it should be repeated in one Fig, 819.— Early Stage of Flatulent Colic. Fig. 830. — Advanced Stage of Flatutent Colic, or Tympanites. * Tbere are two locations for this disease, the stomach and the colon and ccecuni ; but in either it requires the same treatment, as it is generally produced by the same causes. When in the stomach, it wi!l be distinguished by eructations, or belchings of gas through the oesopha- gus, or gullet. If in the colon or coecum, the horse is violently swollen along the l)ell3', flanks, and sides. The pulse is rarely disturbed until the disease advances, when it will become quick- ened, running to its bight qnickly, and receding as rapidly, if fatal. If to terminate fatally, It will become weaker and slower until it is almost imperceptible. If the animal is allowed to fall down suddenly, while the pressure of gas upon the walls of the stomach is very great, there is a liability of rupturing the diaphragm, which would cause almost instant death from suffoca- tion. 500 JJISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. half to three quarters of an hour. If the horse is small, and the attack not severe, less may be given ; while if very large, and the attack severe, even more may be given.* During my practice of late years, when I had a case of colic, I usually gave the following preparation : — Peppermint 1 J to 2 oz. Sulphuric ether H to 2 oz. Laudanum 1 oz. Soft water 1 pt. After shaking thoroughly, I gave this immediately. I have found it in all cases to give relief It is particularly valuable to non-professional men who cannot, during the early stage, tell the difference between spasmodic and flatulent colic, and on this account it is the preparation the writer would advise. Stable-keepers should always keep it on hand, in readiness for an emergency, as it is very important to be able to treat this disease promptly. If the horse is subject to attacks of colic, which are usually pro- duced by irritating matter in the bowels, it can usually be relieved by giving one or two sharp doses of phasic. Dr. Meyer's method of treatment is so good, explaining as it does some symptoms, with other points of treatment not given, that I in- clude it in full : — First, there is a switching of the tail, foUowea bj' a pawing with the fore feet, and acting as if there were an inclination to lie down. Usually gets down and rolls, looks at the belly, rolls, then up again, and seems at rest for a few minutes, when he goes through the same actions again. The pulsation is full and strong, about natural. By looking at the inner surface of the eyelid there will be some sign of in- flammation. When the attack is running into inflammation of the bowels, or be- comes seated, there will be an inclination to sweat, an anxious expression in the eye, increased respiration, the pulsations from 70 to 80, small and weak. The inner lining of the eyelid will be plainly injected or reddened, the animal at times looking toward the flanks; walks almost in a circle ; makes attempts to lie down, coming down about half way, gets up and waits around again, which may be repeated a number of times ; finally succeeds in getting down, which he does very carefully, then will lie outstretched for a few moments : will make an attempt to rise, and will sit up like a pig, as shown on page 504. In colic, the horse throws himself down carelessly, rolls around In a careless manner, and then jumps up, — an important sign of death. After the case has been treated for some time, he may seem easier ; but if allowed to have his own way, and be wanders off to some unusual place, it is positive proof that he is beyond medical aid. Treatment for Colic. — 2 ounces laudanum, J ounce spirits of camphor or 1 drachm gum camphor, 2 ounces sweet spirits of niter, 2 drachms fluid ex. belladonna. Mix *The etlier disturbs the breatliing, making the horse apparently distressed, breathing la- boriously, which will pass off in a few hours. TYMtANITES, OR FLATULENT COLIC. 501 with one half pint of water, and give as a drench. If the patient is no better in one hour, repeat, and, if constipated, use warm water injections. "Flatulent colic, treatment the same as above. In the early stage, if aftei about half an hour the patient seems no better, give two ounces of essential harts- horn in water, with warm water enema. If by this time there is no flatus, or break- ing of wind, and the animal's abdomen or belly is very much distended, and is belch- ing up air out of the nostrils, and commences to tremble in his legs, an operation will have to be performed. Take a lance or knife and make a slight incision through the skin on the right flank, (the ox is always punctured on the left flank, and the horse on the right,) at a point where the tympanitic sound is most marked. As a rule, this point is midway between the edge of the last rib and the hip bone, and about six inches from the lateral processes of the spine — about where the cross mark is on Fig. 823. Take trocar and canula, put the point into the incision previously made with the knife. Direct the instrument inward, slightly downward and for- ward, and hit it a sharp blow with the flat of the hand to send the instrument through to the hilt. Now draw out the trocar, when the gas will escape. When the e.scape of gas has ceased, put a finger over the opening of the canula to prevent the air from filling in, and withdraw. When withdrawn, rub slightly with the finger over the wound, and leave it alone. Before performing the operation, give four ounces of vegetable charcoal which has been kept dry. mixed with one quart of Fig. 821. — Trocar and Canula. milk. The horse will have instant relief after the operation. It he remains quiet, feed nothing for about twelve hours. Give flaxseed tea to drink. After the expira- tion of this time, feed bran mashes, with oatmeal or ground oats, and continue from four to six days, when the animal will be well. When there is no hope by medicine, this operation is the only treatment that promises success. Should the horse be un- easy after the operation, give one of the balls used for inflammation of the bowels, which should be repeated once in from four to six hours until quiet. During the warm months Dr. Meyer usually performs this oper- ation from twenty-five to thirty times, to save life. His loss is about one in ten. I would add that during my experience in Buffalo, I had no oc- casion to perform this operation, the treatment given proving in every instance effective. This operation, according to standard authorities, has been regarded as seldom successful. I think the reason is that the case has been allowed to go too long before re- sorting to it. In a conversation with Dr. Meyer in relation to it, he stated that he regarded it as very valuable treatment, enabling him to cure a large proportion of cases which otherwise would be beyond help. As it may in some cases be found necessary to perform this operation, I give a diagram of the body, showing the location of the 502 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. point to be punctured, and also add an excellent illustration of the method of performing it upon cows or oxen that may become bloated, — a very common occurrence in cattle that are turned into a clover-field, and eat too much. (See Stock Department, page 132.) When a horse is taken suddenly sick, especially after a drive, or after having been given cold water or a change of food, looking at his side, and acting as if he wanted to lie down, etc., simply catch him by the ear, and if it is warm, and the pulse is natural, it is always accepted as a proof of colic. Now, what can be done pro- vided you have none of the medicine recommended.'' Give about a tablespoonful of ginger in a pint of hot water, well stirred ; or giv- ing as a drench from four to six ounces of good whisky or brandy, is sometimes very effective. Hot fomentations to the sides and belly are also very effective, using woolen blankets wrung out of water as hot as can be borne, and covered with two or three other cloths to retain the heat, and to be repeated as they cool. A hot bran poultice would be some- FiQ. 822.— The Cross Show- ^^hat better, as it would retain the heat longer, ing Ihe Location to be ^.^^^ directions for giving fomentations will be found under that head.) The fever med- icine, given in doses of from a drachm to half an ounce, has also been found very efficient. Inflammation of the Bowels. Enteritis, also sometimes called red colic, may occur as a pri- mary disease, but more often it is seen as a consequence of colic or constipation of the bowels. It generally proves fatal. As an idio- pathic affection, that is, occurring independent of any other disease, it may occur from any of the causes of colic, particularly overload- ing the stomach. Symptoms. — The animal is noticed to be unwell ; he is dull and stupid ; refuses food ; has shivering fits, the mouth becoming hot, and extremities alternately hot and cold, the pulse being quick, small, and wiry. He looks toward his flanks ; the bowels are cos- tive ; after a tinle pain sets in, and is continuous and violent ; he rolls about, the sweat pouring from him in streams ; the eyes are blood-shot ; the belly hot and tender. He does not throw himself violently down, as in colic, but lies down cautiously, and tries to steady himself on his back. As it goes on, the symptoms are aug- jyFLAMiVATlOX OF THE BOWELS. 503 mented, the legs and ears get deadly cold, the pulse becomes weaker, and soon is imperceptible ; the mouth gets cold and clammy ; extravasation of blood is going on in the bowels ; mortification sets in, the pain ceases, and he may stand up. He is dull and stupid, surface of the body cold, mouth cold, twitching of the muscles, and retraction of the upper lip. He soon falls violentlj' to the ground, endangering the lives and limbs of the attendants who happen to be near him, and after a few struggles expires. After death, the bow- els are very much inflamed, and the inner surface black and clotted Fig. 833. — Firsl Slage of Inflammation of ffie Bowels. with extravasated blood. Death sometimes occurs in from six to eight hours, and even in shorter time. When occurring in conse- quence of colic or constipation, it is very difficult to determine the exact transition from spasm to inflammation. Treatment. — In the outset, especially when occurring as a pri- mary affection, and not as a consequence of another disease, copious blood-letting will be advisable — from four to six quarts, or sufficient to make an impression on the pulse. He should be turned into a well-littered loose box, and allowed to roll as he pleases. The bow- els are obstinately constipated, but drastic pugatives are apt to in- crease the inflammation ; our utmost efforts must therefore be di- rected to open them by copious injections (of linseed tea, soap and water, tobacco-smoke, or infusion of tobacco), back-racking, etc. A 504 DISEASES AXJ) THEIR TREATMENT. quart of linseed-oil, with two ounces of laudanum, should be given, and repeated, in half the dose, every one or two hours, if required. Fomentations of hot water must be constantly applied to the belly, or bags wrung out of boiling water. Where, from the violent toss- ing of the animal, this is impracticable, blister the belly with tincture of cantharides or mustard and turpentine. If the symptoms do not moderate in a kw hours, the pulse con- tinues full, and the legs and ears not very cold, a second bleeding may be advisable ; but this is seldom the case, as the prostration is rapid, the pulse be- coming small, wiry, and almost impercep- tible, and the legs and ears deadly cold. In this case bleeding but hastens the fatal termination. When it has contin- ued eight or ten hours, if it takes a favorable turn, the pulse be- comes fuller, the sur- face warmer, and he will lie for some time stretched out, appar- ently asleep, being weakened from the disease and bleeding, and probably partially narcotized from the laudanum. In this stage he must be made comfortable, and cov- ered up in straw or sheets. We usually "bury" him in straw. This restores the balance of the circulation, often causing him to sweat ; and after lying thus for one or two hours he will get up relieved, and begin to feed. No hay must be given him. After a little he should be encour- aged to drink well-boiled gruel, or eat a thin bran mash. Injections must be continued until the bowels are freely opened. For a few days he must be kept warm ; a few mouthfuls of cold water may be given every hour ; gentle walking exercise and sloppy diet must be continued for some time. About the fourth day, even though the bowels have become regular, he should have a purgative (from six to eight drachms of aloes, made into a ball), to remove ingesta, and restore the secretions to their natural condition. Fig. 834. — A Sure Indication of Inflammation of the Bowels. INFLAMMATION OF THE BOWELS. 505 The following is the treatment advised by Dr. Summerville : — This disease is generally caused by constipation of the bowels, hard driving, overpurging or looseness of the bowels, or drinking cold water when warm. Con- stipation is, however, the principal cause of the disease, and when this is the case, the first and most important condition of relief is to get an action of the bowels. Symptoms. — For the first few hours the horse is uneasy, paws, looks around at the side, the pulse is slightly accelerated and wiry. As the disease advances, the in- termissions between the attacks become less, pulse quicker, running from seventy to eighty beats in a minute, in some instances even faster ; lies down and gets up, shows much pain, no swelling of sides ; now begins to exhibit fever, bowels consti- pated, urine highly colored and scanty. Remedy. — Give a quart of raw linseed-oil. If constipation is very great, add from four to six drops of croton-oil. If scours, or overpurging, sets in, give an ounce and a half of tincture of opium with six ounces of water. But ^ in order to suppress the in- /^i^—-- tlamniation, it is necessary to '^'^^^ bleed immediately from the neck vein from six to ten quarts of blood, according to :i^^^^^^^^,^ the strength and size of the /^^^S^^^^^S^^=^ _ , ^^^Sk_^ animal. In extreme cases //^/fM^^^^^S^^k^^^^ ' ^"^^^^^^^^ bleeding may be repeated to '''''''"ivm^mUl^U^^M^^^^^^S^'T.^'^i^^S^ the extent of four to six quarts in three or four hours. If j^ i_i» much pain exists in constipa- iS^ tion, give from one to three T7I or.^ He i < I II .■ I 11. o 1 ounces of tincture asafetida. Fig. 835. — A Symptom of Inflammation of the Bowels, „ , , , , „ . Feed lightly for a week at or Great Internal Pain. . . least, giving gruel, roots, grass, and bran mashes, and keep quiet. Do not exercise for several days if there is danger of a relapse. This is a dangerous disease, and requires prompt treatment. Treatment advised by Charles A. Meyer : — The first stage of inflammation of the bowels is when the animal sits on bis haunches like a pig, gradually gets up, and walks around as if in great agony ; makes attempts to lie down, and when he does, goes down very carefully ; may make a few rolls ; will gradually straighten out again, attempt to rise, and sits on his haunches again like a pig. This position is a sign of bowel inflammation, and to save the pa- tient the treatment must begin in earnest. Should the patient be fat and plethoric, bleed from the neck from two to eight quarts, according to the size of the horse. Apply a strong rubefacient to the abdomen, of 1 lb. of strong mustard, 2 oz. aqua am- monia, and water sufficient to make into a plaster ; rub in well, and cover with paper, to keep in the heat. Then give the following medicine : — Opium, pulverized.. 4 dr. Subnitrate of bismuth 2 oz. Chloroform 4 dr. Nux vomica, pulverized 2 J dr. Licorice root Q- S. Make into four balls, give one every 4 to 6 hours, according to the uneasiness of 506 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. the patient, which must be kept quiet, and these balls will do it. Feed soft, nutritious food, warm water, and no hay, for about one week. SUPERPURGATION, DIARRHEA, ETC. An over-relaxed, state of the bowels may arise from various causes. In some animals it is favored by peculiarities of conforma- tion, as is seen in ivasliy horses, animals with long legs, open ribs, and flat sides, with tucked-up bellies, such being liable to purge from the simplest cause. Change of feed, especially from dry to green, or unhealthful food, and sometimes through nervous excitement, is apt to produce scouring. It is usually the evidence of something wrong, and the effort of nature to remove it. Some irritant or undigested food being lodged in the bowels, the intestinal fluids are poured out in super- abundance to remove it. The incautious use of purgative medicines is a common cause of superpurgation. It often occurs in the latter stages of debilitating diseases, when it is always an untoward symp- tom, betokening a breaking-up of the vital powers. The presence of little white worms (ascarides) is occasionally the cause. It some- times follows the drinking of cold water when an animal is in a heated state. Symptoms. — The symptoms vary according to the nature of the case, and the causes that give rise to it. It may be simply an in- creased fluidity of the contents of the bowels, as is seen in washy or nervous animals( unaccompanied by pain or constitutional disturb- ance ; or, on the other hand, it may be (as in superpurgation) at- tended by pain, expressed by uneasiness, pawing, looking to the flanks, etc. He strains frequently, and the feces are very watery ; the pulse is small and hard. Rapid and increasing weakness and emaciation, loss of appetite, and unless means are speedily adopted to check it, inflammation of the bowels is apt to set in. Treatment. — Great care must be exercised in feeding and water- ing washy horses, dry feed being best suited to them. They should not be allowed to drink too freely of water, especially before work. In many cases it may be necessary to give them some starch or chalk mixed up in the feed. In all cases, the main point is to dis- cover the cause. If arising from improper food, it must be changed at once. If some irritant be suspected, nature must be assisted in her ef- forts, by giving a quart of linseed or castor oil, followed up by starch or well-boiled flour gruel, keeping the animal warm. If worms are suspected, or seen in the dung, one or two ounces of spirits of tur- DlSTlilBUTION OF THE GREAT MESENTERY ARTE in'. 507 Fig. 826.— General View of the Horse's Intestines, Showing the Distribution of Blood to them by the Great Mesen teric Artery. The Animal is Placed on its Back, and the Intestinal Mass Spread Out. A. The duodenum as it passes be- hind the great mesenteric artery; B. free portion of the small intestine ; C. ileocsecal portion; D. caecum; E. F. G. loop formed by the large colon ; F. F. point where the colic loop is doubled to constitute the suprasternal and dia- phragmatic flexures; pelvic flexure. 508 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. pentine, or any of the vermifuges recommended, should be added to the oil. Should it not yield to this, neutralize the acids in the bow- els by giving an ounce and a half of prepared chalk and a dram and a half of powdered catechu, mixed in a pint of water. Give once or twice a day until purging ceases. Keep the animal without exercise, and do not give much water to drink. If this disease should arise from nervous excitement, give a drachm of powdered opium in the food once a day for three or four days. Or give the following astringent drench : — Powdered opium 1 dr. Prepared chalk 4 oz. Gum acacia 1 oz. Dissolve in warm water, and give in well-boiled flour or starch gruel. It may be given two or three times a day, the gruel being given frequently. If very severe, injections of solution of catechu and starch, with a little tincture of opium, should be given. The belly may be stimulated with liquid blister. He must be kept perfectly warm, and the legs bandaged. Care must be taken not to induce an opposite state of the bowels by the injudicious use of astringents. An ounce each of carbonate of soda and ginger should be given daily for some time after recovery. Rest and good dry food are necessary for some time. Constipation. Constipation is a condition the very opposite of the above, in which we have a diminished action of the bowels, the dung being dry and voided with difficulty, leading to dangerous "stoppage of the bowels." It arises from various causes, especially from being fed on dry, fibrous food. If in pasture in the fall, when the grass is tough and fibrous, with perhaps a scarce supply of water, the fibrous ingesta are liable to become felted together, and impacted in the bowels. Want of exercise, and feeding too much grain, are also prominent causes. It is sometimes accompanied by inflammation of the bowels. Horses that are kept up, or not worked regularly, and especially if fed on dry food, should have an occasional bran mash with plenty of water to drink, or small doses of laxatives ; aloes is the simplest and best, from two to four drachm doses, with green food. If ac- companied by colic, or inflammation of the bowels, back-raking, etc., must be resorted to until relieved. Green grass is about the best laxative. All horses, especially those advanced in years, should be watched carefully, and when there is any tendency to constipation, it should WORMS. 509 Fig. 837.— Symptom of Worms. be prevented, as before stated, by giving bran mashes, carrots, and raw potatoes ; or, if thought advisable, a little oil or physic, with regular exercise and sufficient water, and there will usually be no dif- ficulty. It is very important to look to this condition ; neglecting it, colic, inflammation of the bowels, etc., may result. Worms. Worms are most commonly found in the stomach and bowels ; the}' are also sometimes met with in almost every part of the body. Investigation shows there are over thirty kinds of worms that infest the horse. Dr. Robert Jennings, about thirty years ago, at that time a res- ident of Borden Town, New Jersey, now of Detroit, Michigan, informed the writer that he had traced out thirty different kinds in the horse, and among others exhibited a piece of muscle that was perforated by a large number of little white worms from one to two inches long. Mr. White, an old author, says : — I have found worms in the wind-pipe, in the mesenteric artery, in an abscess in the substance of the abdominal muscles, and according to Lafosse, they have been found also in the pancreatic and salivary ducts. There are but three or four that are very common. First, the teres lumbrici, a large worm from four to ten inches long, that lives in the in- testines. It looks like the common earth-worm, yellowish white, and tapered at both ends. Second, the ascai-is, commonly called needle or thread worm, of a dirty white color, usually from one to two inches long. They are sometimes found in thou- sands. They have been observed chiefly inhabiting the mucous coat of the cjecum, on the surface of which, it is supposed, they are developed in little cells, which, when matured, burst, producing con- siderable irritation, and often serious inflammation of the parts. They are also sometimes found to infest the rectum in large num- bers, and to relieve the irritation they produce, the horse rubs his tail. Fig. 828. — The Appearance of a Horse that is Troubled with Worms. 510 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. Varieties of strongyli and oxynres also occur, and are sometimes mistaken for ascaridcs. They are, however, distinct species ; the former is tapered, and ter- minates in a spine ; whereas the latter is blunted, with a head like a leather sucker. The strongyli inhabit the cze- cum, colon, and duodenum ; the oxynres, the mesentery, spermatic cord, and in fact almost every organ in the body. The common whip-worm, or long thread- worm, technically called the triclioccph- aliis dispar, are found in the caecum. They resemble a whip, the shank being about a third, and the thong two thirds of the length, usually about two inches. Bots, which inhabit the stomach, will be referred to especially following this article. There is also a small thread-like worm, caWed filar ia, from a half inch to an inch and a half long, which travels all through the system. This is the worm that sometimes gets into the eye and grows there. The tape-worm is sometimes found in the horse, for which I give a specific remedy used by Dr. Meyer with great success. (I give illustrations of a few worms, though not of all that I desired, on account of the difficulty of obtaining them. They will not, how- ever, be of any special interest or importance to the general reader- Fici. 829. — Ascaris Lumbricoides^ A. female ; D. male (natural size). Fig. 830. — Ascaris Marginata, Enlarged. Hence those obtained are put in without regard to much technical explanation.) Sytnptouis of worms are debility, feebleness, sluggish move- WOJi'JIS. ill ments, emaciation, staring coat, hide bound, skin covered with blotches, irregular and capri- cious appetite, tucked up belly, pallid appearance of the lining membrane of the lip, badly digested feces ; rubs the tail, and when fundament worms exist, a whitish substance will be found about the fundament. Many horses have worms, and their presence is never suspected till they appear in the dung. Troublesome diarrhea is sometimes produced by the presence of ascarides in the cae- cum, which are sometimes found in vast numbers in the rectum. Treatment. — The horse should be put on bran mashes for a few days, then give him nothing but water for eight or ten hours, then give the follow- ing drench : — Linseed-oil , . . . 1 qt. Spirits of turpentine 2 oz. In an hour after give a warm bran mash, and the next morning give a dose of physic. If thought necessary, in about a week this may be repeated. Dr. Summerville claimed there was no better medicine for the destruction of worms than cal- omel, and advised it to be given in the following combinations : — Calomel 3 dr. Tartar emetic 1 dr. Mix, and divide into three powders, one to be given at night for three successive nights, to be followed in twenty-four hours with a good purging ball. Or, — Aloes 4 dr. Tartar emetic 1 dr. Ginger 3 dr. Calomel about the size of a bean, and, molasses enough to make into a ball. To be given every morning for three days. Dr. Hamill found, in treating inflammation of the extremi- ties caused by injuries, such as getting a nail in the foot, where ex- cessive, that occasionally after giving a dose of aloes and calomel large numbers of worms were expelled. Would advise from two to four drachms calomel, with aloes according to size and temperament of the horse. Fig. 831.— Ascaris Mystax. a. Male ; b. Female ; c. d. The expansion of its anterior part seen from the front and side. 512 DIS£ASES AXD TUEIR TREATMENT. This is also corroborated by Dr. White, who advises to give one or two drachms of calomel with a dose of physic ; or the calomel at night, and a dose of physic in the morning. Or give a drachm of calomel for three successive nights previous to the physic. The following for worms was given the writer by a veterinary surgeon of very high standing: — Take hickory-wood, sumac-wood, and ordinary wliite ash, and bum to ashes. Feed a large spoonful twice a day for three days. Then follow up with a cathartic. Prof. Gamgee's favorite remedy : — Asaf etida 2 dr. Calomel and sarin \\ dr. each. Oil of male fern 30 drops. Mass sufficient to form a ball to be given at night, and a purge in the morning. Dr. Sheldon, formerly of New York City, de- pended mainly upon santonine, hy the use of which he claimed great success, and which he also claims never fails to clean the worms out of a horse. He treated as follows : — First, give bran mash. In 24 hours give one drachm of san- tonine, which should be dissolved in water ; then mix in a quart of starch, and give as a drench ; in 30 minutes give aloes in solution sufficient to move the bowels promptly. I also include a favorite horse-jockey remedy, which is regarded very good : — Fig. b32. — Young Fila- . -. . Aloes 1 oz. ria Thread-wortn. gp)^;,^ ^^ turpentine 3 oz. , _ Egsrs. 6. A. younf worm as "^^ rolled up in the body of Make into an emulsion, beaten together ;'give to the horse the mother ; A. the after being fed with two or three bran mashes. same unrolled in a drop t-v, iiTi,:t.„ . „. '^ Ur. \\ nite says : — of water ; a. Head, wltb the protuberances and ^ ^"^ ^^ grass in the spring is perhaps the best ready of mouth • b. Oricrin of the ^- ^"r it is the most effectual means of invigorating the di- tail wth the anus gestive organs and purifj-ing the blood. When it is not con- (backsidej. venient to turn the horse out, he should be fed green grass in the stable. The following was given the writer by a special friend (a vet- erinary surgeon of high standing), as the treatment he would advise for the cure of worms ; and though in part a repetition of what is given, it is so good that I include it : — First, lutnbricoides can be removed by drastic purges of aloes, or aloes and calomel. If calomel be given in from two to four drachm doses, on a fasting stomach of twelve hours, then fast from ten to twelve hours afterward, after which give small doses of aloes BOTS. 513 or saline purges, it will destroy nearly all traces of worms or para- sites in the stomach and intestines, even clearing out bots. The best general treatment advised is santonine, areca nut, and male fern. Of santonine, better known as worm-seed, the dose is from one to four drachms, according to the size and temperament of the horse. For the small, nervous, well-bred horse, the smallest dose would be sufficient ; while for a large, coarse-grained cart-horse the larger dose of four drachms will be necessary. Of the same quanti- ties of powdered areca nut and male fern, about one ounce is the average dose. All vermifuge medicine should be taken while fast- ing, as better results will thereby be obtained ; let the horse fast Fig. 833.— Strongylus, Enlarged. ten or twelve hours before giving the medicine, and nearly as long afterward. It is not necessary to give physic after either of these medicines. Nearly all the parasites in horses can be expelled by the judicious use of calomel. BOTS. As among most owners and horse-doctors, every obscure lame- ness in the foot is supposed to be in the shoulder ; so, when a horse is taken sick, nine times out often it is supposed to be caused by bots. If the horse turns up his upper lip, looks at his side, shows uneasiness, paws, and rolls, it is taken as a sure sign of bojts. It is claimed that as a rule bots are harmless parasites, seldom producing much mischief, and to be found in almost every horse that dies, sometimes in great numbers, adhering to the coats of the stomach ; but about this there is much difference of opinion. Prof. Law on the subject : — Bots are the larvae of the gadfly, which are noticed to be so common, pestering the horse during the summer and autumn, darting at him around his legs and sides, and depositing their eggs on the hair of the parts. These eggs are caught by the horse when he licks the parts in defending himself, and swallowed. In the stomach they develop rapidly. By the aid of the hooks around their heads they attach themselves to the mucous membrane, mainly of the left half of the stomach (see Pig. 514 DISEASES AND TUEIR TREATMENT. 834), but often also to other parts, such as the right side of the stomach, the duode- num, or small gut leading from the stomach, and the throat. There the_y steadily grow in the winter, and in spring pass out in the dung, burrow in the soil, and are transformed into the gadfly. The disturbance they cause depends on their numbers and the portions of the canal on which they attach themselves. In the throat they produce a chronic sore throat and discharge from the nose, which continues until the following- spring, unless they are previously extracted with the hand. In the left half of the stomach, which is covered with a thick, insensible cuticle, they do little harm when in small numbers ; hence Bracy Clark supposed them to be benefi- cial in stimulating the secretion of gastric juice. When very numerous, and above all when attached to the highly sensitive right half of the stomach or the duodenum, they seriously interfere with digestion, causing the animal to thrive badly, to be weak, and easily sweated or fatigued, and even determining sudden and fatal indigestion. This last result is especially liable to occur in spring 'or early summer, when the bots are passing out in great numbers, and hooking themselves at in- tervals to the coats of the sen- sitive bowels in their course. They will sometimes accumu- late in such numbers as actu- ally to block the passage. In discussing the sub- ject, White says : — They are generally attached to the cuticular or insensible coat of the stomach ; but some- times clusters of them are « found at the pylorus, and even in the beginning of the first intestine, named the duodenum. In one case they were so numerous in this last situation as to obstruct the passage completelj-, and cause the animal's death. Feron, an old writer, says he has paid particular attention to this subject, and has found that when in large quantities, they are very destructive to horses ; that he has seen several horses whose stomachs had been pierced quite through by them, the bots making their way into the abdomen. James Clark, of Edinburgh, an author of high standing, quoted in " Shoeing," relates a case of a horse's stomach being perforated by bots. Fig. 834.- -The Gadfly Depositing Eggs, and Full-grown Bots. 1. The female fly about to deposit an e^^ ; 2. the egg magnified ; 3. the hot ; 4. the eggs magnified, attached to a hair ; 5. the newly hatched bot ; 6. the hot full grown ; 7. the head of a bot magnified ; 8. the male fly; 9, the chrysalis. BOTS. 516 In " White's Farriery," vol. 2, page 73, Dr. White says : — I have seen several horses destroyed by these worms. In some of them they caused inflammation of the lungs ; in one frenzy, or mad staggers ; and in one horse, the pylorus was completely plugged up with them. There is a remarkable sympa- thy or consent between the stomach and lungs, and it is owing to this that they sometimes cause inflammation of the lungs. In the cases which have occurred in my practice, the most remarkable circumstance was the great depression they occasioned. Symptoms. — There is no way, so far as I know, and |[](| I have consulted a great many veterinary surgeons I on the subject, of determining the symptoms of bots. A horse is taken sick, showing all the symp- toms of colic ; he is treated for that difficulty, is cured, and the trouble is presumed to have been colic. According to the best authorities I can find, the con- clusion is that the symptoms of bots cannot be dis- tinguished from other diseases of the stomach and bowels ; that sometimes, when occurring in dense clusters around the pylorus or in the first bowel, they interfere mechanically with digestion, and keep the animal weak and emaciated, and subject to slight attacks of colic, capricious appetite, and irregular bowels. Beyond these indications, which may be identified with other difficulties, there is no way of determining whether they are the cause of annoy- ance. Treatment. — This is doubtful. I give that which has been advised as the most effectual. White says : — The most likely means of expelling bots is to keep the horse without food during the night, and give him in the morning a quart of new milk sweetened with honey ; and about ten minutes after, give four, five, or six ounces of salt in a quart of water. Dr. Feron remarks that — Common oil given in large quantities has sometimes succeeded in detaching bots from the stomach. It is the only medicine that seems to have any effect in making them loosen their hold on that organ. Blaine says that the continued use of salt mixed with the food appears to be obnoxious to them ; for sometimes under its use their hold gives way, and they are ejected. The popular remedy for bots is sweet milk and molasses, which is more safe than reliable. The following is recommended : — 3 drachms each of aloes and asafetida, rubbed down in hot water, and when Fig. 83.'). — Eggs Greatly Magnified. 616 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMEXT. cool add an ounce each of turpentine and ether. To be given every second day for a week, leaving out aloes if bowels become too open. To relieve pain and uneasiness, any of the colic mixtures are to be given. Prof. Law advises giving potato juice to feed and quiet the bots, adding some colic medicine if thought necessary. In a report by Dr. Adams in relation to the subject, published about fifteen years ago in the " Medical and Agricultural Register," he stated, having made the following experiments at different times on bots three-fourths grown, that — When immersed in rum, they live 25 hours ; decoction of tobacco, 11 hours ; strong oil of vitriol, 2 hours, 18 minutes ; essential oil of mint, 2 hours, 5 minutes. Were immersed without apparent injury in spirits of camphor, 10 hours ; fish oil, 49 hours ; tinct. aloes, 10 hours ; brine, 10 hours ; solution indigo, 10 hours. A number of small bots, with one that was full giown, were immersed in a strong solu- tion of corrosive sublimate ; the small ones died in one hour, but the full-grown one was taken out of the solution, sis hours after its immersion, apparently unhurt. Inflammation of the Kidneys. Inflammation of the kidneys is generally caused by hard work, by slipping, throwing the hind parts so suddenly under the belly as to produce undue tension of the lumbar vertebrze, or from sudden colds by being exposed to rain and cold, the eating of musty hay or oats, or unhealthful food of any kind. Too powerful or too often re- peated diuretics produce inflammation of the kidneys, or a degree of irritation and weakness of them that disposes to inflammation, from causes that would otherwise have no injurious effect. Symptoms. — Less or more fever of the system generally, and un- willingness to move, particularly the hind legs, dung hard and coated, very sensitive to pressure on the spine. The horse looks anxiously around at his flanks, stands with his hind legs wide apart, and straddles as he walks, shows pain in turning ; the urine is voided in small quantities, and is usually high colored, and sometimes bloody ; the attempt to urinate becomes more frequent, and the quantity voided smaller, until the animal strains violently, without being able to pass any or but very little urine. The pulse is quick and hard, full in the early stage of the disease, but rapidly becoming small, though not losing its character of hardness. Introduce the hand into the rectum. If the bladder is found full and hard under the rectum, there is inflammation of the neck of the bladder. If the bladder is empty, yet on the portion of the intestines immediately over it there is more than natural heat and tenderness, there is in- flammation of the body of the bladder. If the bladder is empty and PROFUSE STALIXG (DIURESIS). 517 there is no increased tenderness and heat, there is inflammation of the kidneys. Trcat7uent. — If the pulse is high, about sixty, take five or six quarts of blood, and give a fever ball ; to be repeated in three hours if not better. Fever ball : 4 drachms Barbadoes aloes, 1 drachm tarter emetic, 2 drachms ginger, calomel about the size of a bean, molasses sufficient to make into a ball. Counter-irritation must next be excited over the seat of — ■" 7 ^ the disease. The loins should be fomented with hot water or covered with mustard poultice, or, better, heat a peck of salt in an oven, place it in a bag, and put it over the part affected. If the case is severe and pro- tracted, a sharp blister may be used. No diuretics are to be given, as they would simply ag- gravate, and make the disease worse. After the bowels are open, give aconite, and treat as for fever. After recovery, the horse should be kept very quiet for a month, and if in season, turned out to grass. If in winter, feed with light, mushy diet ; exer- cise lightly by leading, if the animal be valuable and it is desired to aid recovery by extra care. Profuse Staling (Diuresis). Profuse staling, sometimes called diabetes, consists principally of simple, increased secretion of urine, without any apparent struct- ural disease of the kidney, or much alteration of the composition of the urine, so characteristic of this affection in man. Causes. — It arises in a great measure from feeding musty or heated hay, exposure to cold, etc. Frequently it occurs as an ac- companiment of acidity of the stomach, or from the improper use of diuretics, as niter, saltpeter, resin, etc., which are frequently given in large quantities for some time by grooms and ignorant persons, not knowing the harm they are doing thereby. It is of these in- gredients also that most of the "condition powders" kept for sale, which are often liberally fed, are composed. It is not prudent, or at all necessary, to give such medicine, excepting for specific purposes, Fig. 836. — A Prominent Symptom when the Urinary Organs are Involved. 518 DISK ASKS AND Til El II Tl! RAT MUST. and then very cautiously. Intelligent owners give but very little medicine. In.stead, they give bran mashes, etc., with good air, reg- ular exercise, and grooming. Symptoms. — The intense thirst first attracts attention ; he is constantly craving for water, and rapidly loses condition ; the coat becomes rough and staring ; he passes large quantities of clear urine, his litter being constantly wet. He will be seen poking among his litter, which he often eats with avidity in preference to good hay. If it goes on unchecked, great prostration sets in, the heart beats tumultuously, the throbbing being often visible at the side, the pulse being irrcL;ular and intermittent. rnatiiunt. -\\. is generally very easily checked if taken in time ; a complete change of diet is indispensable ; give good sweet hay ; carrots are recommended. The bowels must be freely opened. Iodine in doses of two drachms, once or twice a day, is claimed to be a never-failing remedy, very useful in correcting the thirst and checking the flow of urine. The following ball may be given night and morning : — lodino 1 dr. Iodide of poliissium 1 dr. Uarbadoos lUoos 1 dr. Licorice and syrup sufficient to make a ball. Or, give one of the following balls every night : — Powdercil opiiiin J oz. Fowdcrcd Uiiio 1 oz. I'ri^imrcd chidk 1 oz. Mix with molasses, and make six balls. Tonics should be commenced early. In some cases it can be arrested by making him drink water with pipe-clay or pease-meal shaken ii|) in it. A run at ])asture wiM oILiii cure it. INKI.AMMATION OK 'I'lIK JiLADDIsK I^CN'STITIS). Causes. — It may arise from the too free use of diuretic medi- cines, or from the injudicious use of fly blisters of tur[)cntine ; sometinus from the presence of concretions or gravelly deposits in the bladtler, or an extension of spasm, or iiinammation of other organs. Symptoms. — Almost the same as those of inflammation of the kidneys. Frequent voiding of urine in small quantities, quick pulse ; looks frequently at flanks, paws violently, tender wlieti pressed upon under the flanks. When the biuU- of the viscus is the seat of the disease, it be- BLOODY riilXE. 519 comes very irritable, the urine being passed almost as soon as it reaches the bladder, the act of staling being almost constantly going on. The other symptoms are nearly analogous to nephritis ; when examined by the hand in the rectum, it is found empty, hot, and ten- der. When the neck of the bladder is the seat of the disease, it will be found distended with urine, and, instead of frequent staling, we have almost complete suppression of urine. Treatment. — The treatment resembles that recommended for nephritis, which see. Should the contraction of the neck continue, a gum elastic catheter should be introduced, or a little warm oil may (in the marc) be Injected into the bladder. Small doses of i)i- carbonate of soda or potash should be given to neutralize the urine, which is usually acid. Mere the principal object is to lower inflammation and relax the muscular contraction of the neck of the bladder. Bleed largely, al- most to fainting ; give physic as for inflammation of the kidneys, or a quart of linsccd-oil. A drachm of powdered opium, made into a ball, or given in drink every two or three hours, and blister over the loins. Give aconite, as for inflammation of the kidneys.* Reticntion of Urine. The most common cause is keeping the animal active, not giv- ing time to urinate, and a spasm of the neck of the bladder or gravelly concretions ; any cause of irritation may cause spasm. Symptoms are the same as in inflammation of the kidneys, exce[)t standing very wide behind, and when walking, a straddling gait re- sembling a cow with a very full bag. The most prompt treatment is to use the catheter, and scarcely anything more is necessary. Rut if one is not obtainable, bleed freely, and give a strong opiate : ;} oz. tinct. opium, in half a pint of water. Bloody Urine is generally the result of injuries of the loins, unwholesome food, violent exercise, etc. Treatment. — Give plenty of linseed tea to drink ; if the animal refuses it, drench him. Give internally, once a day, one of the fol- lowing pills : sugar of lead, 1 oz. ; linseed tea, 2 oz. Mix with mo- lasses and divide into eight parts. *If possible, call a veterinary eurgeon, who will Introduce a catheter, which will relieve the auliiiul liiiiiicdlately. 520 lUSliASlCS .\.\l) TIlRin rUEAT.MEXT. DISMASMS Ol-' '1111'; NKKVonS SVSTKM. 'I'lic lUTVDUS systcMii consisls (ifllic 1)1. lin, vvliit li is Iodised in the civil)' of llic slviill (cranium) ; tin- ■.|iiii.il inid, lii(lj;c(i in llu- cavity of tlic vertebral ciiaiii ; anil iinnii i oir. lilllr \\lnlc lurds, called nerves, wliich are ^ivcn out Imni ilic In. mi .md -.iiin.d idid, ,ur1 dis- tribnti'd III llii- dilfiirnt p.ni-, i>| ilic boily, especially tliosc parts enddwi d uilli srn->d)ilit \ , and undii tile control of the will, liesides tliis .system of nerves, there is another set, independent of the cere- bro-s]»inal axis, calletl the sj-mp.ilhetic or ^janj^dionic system, whicii supplies the orf^^ans of nut i i! ii m .uid nl In r viscera, blooil -vessels, etc. it consists of nnnieriin> sni.dl i i iiUi s, c .dl<-d ).;an}.dia, i-xtemlintj in two (^reat i li.iin'. Ii i>ni 1 he In -.id to 1 In- l.nl, mu i-.u h sidr i if 1 In- bodies of the verliln .1-, I IiimI\ .i-.-.m i.iti d wiili ilic nilicr sj'slem by intri- cate conniinnical imi. InI'I.amm.x I i(i\ up I ill-, Hk.mn I l'iiKi;.\rris"). riiic-nilis is not a very connnmi disc.isv, thnii^;h llu- sui)slance (il ihr In. lin itself, m-, as is more iiinnnmih llu- lasc, its niendiranes, in coverinji;s, become inll.inn d. Il ^\ has received various .ippell.il ions, /v^ \ — such as iitiul sliii:;i^t'is, slirpy sttt}^- \ ^ " '^ ( (iiiSiS.- I he causc-s ,ire nut ihninuiddy nnderslootl. Injniies til the skull, iiirtasdisis, m I he li .insleieiu e of iiiil.immal ii Ml Irum sinne iif the ntlui' nij^aus, lliidl ennilitiini .md lAiiwi.ik, unihu' ex- pii-.uie 111 ,1 hut Sim, .ill seem lo be lavin.dile lu its pnuhulinn. I buses th.il ,iie Inn hi;;hly li'd .ire subject In this, wliile nn ider.it el\' led horses are scarcely ever inclined tu it. .S'j'W///(;w.f. — It is usuall\' iisheied in li\ dullness .md persistent ilrowsiness ; he staiuls with his he. id between his hj^s, or sometimes restin(jj a^jainst the m.miu r nr le.iniii}^ a^^ainst the wall ; the eyes shut, and the pupils dil.ited ; the pulse is full, soft, ,ind slow ; the bl-e.ithini; is he.i\y .md Ininl , hi- is very tliflicult to ,iinnse,.ind when st.utled, he looks dre.iinil\' .ibniit ; ni.iy take a few bites ^A \\.\\, but sonii (Imps .isleep .i;;,iin ; the bnwels are costive, ,ind the iiiiiie sc.mt\' .md hiidi inlnreil. In a d.i\ 111 t\\ii Ihe symptoms .ire milii.;ated, or.it j^ot's on ti> Fio. 8!)7.— Syiiiploiii ol liifltiiiiiiialloii ot Iho Brain. INFhAMMATloX UF TIIK IIHALW 521 the second staf^c, vvlicii llit,- pulse becomes c[iiick, t^encral cxcileineiit takes the place of lethargic stupor ; the countenance is wild and ex- citetl lookiiii:; ; the f)'cs arc lilood-shot and staring;' ; (K-iiriiim sets in ; he clashes liiniscif furiously .ihnnl, icils ami slai;^;i'i ^;, ollcii throws hiinscif viiiK'iit ly ddwii ; li<-s 1 re in Mini; , Mow iiu;, .iml i iiiuulscd ; his hliioil shot cNis like lost. Ill oiil oj' thrir SOI kits; lie uill soon l;cI: up, rear and pliiii;;c lorw.ird, brcakinj^' everj'lhinj^' aioniid liiiii, evidcnll}' unidiisi ions of I he injuries he is sustaining ; and, uli.il is char.u tci ist it ol t lu- edinplaint, his dcstruit ion is carried on evidently without purpose, as is e\'iiucd in rabies, or iiianst.inlly .ipplied to the he. id ; a sin. ill hose in.ide to play upon il in a eonslant stream, where it is convenient, will bi; found very useful. The favorite prescription of a very succi'ssful prailit iomr is: " Give on the tongue every six hours about one dr.-u hm of t he ext r.icl of coninm." lie gave this aftc'r the horse h.id lallen. Dr. .Sumnierville's explanat loll and tre.iimeiil of this diflieiilty arc so plain and i;ood, ih.il I im linle Ihem : Ih llrst iii)lk!t!iil)I(! liy diilliiuss (jr Mliii:|)imi.sn of lliii eyes, an llIlwlllill^{ll(^1H lo iikivc, f^uiioral lioavinoHH of llu^ syHloni. Tills dlsiwiHo Ih fr(i(|ii;crs. I have m^viT Hccn ii ciimc whi'i'c il was ncccsHary to Ij'cal, tlir Hloiiuich, liiil, 522 DISEASES A. YD THEIR TREATMENT. always direct attention to the brain, as being the seat of tlie disease, which may be |)roj)crly called head slagfjerii. In case of megrims, or fits, it is merely a lesser attack, or pressure of the blood- vessels on the brain, and viad staggers is a greater pressure of the same vessels on the same part. The brain is divided into two parts, namely, cerebrum and cere- bellum, which occupy a horny box in the head. The bloodvessels passing over the l)nun and coming in contact with the skull, become distended by an increased quan- tity of blood, and i)roduce the feeding which is thus exhibited. There is but one cure for this disease, and that is, remove the cause. Bleed largely from the nock — ten, twelve, or fourteen quarts, or until the symptoms of fainting. After the horse is convalescent, a sharp dose of physic should be given to regulate the bowels. I would advise owners of such hor.ses to dispose of thorn. Once taken with the disease, they are subject to a repetition of tlio attack when the blood- vessels become filled again. Note. — Small doses of aconite (of the quantity for fever) may be given three or four times a diiy as a good preventive. Turning to i)asturc horses that may be li- able to this disease will prove both injurious and dangerous. When driven in the hot sun, the head should be protected with some sort of covering, which is now used very generally in many large cities, or a large sponge, kept wet with water, may be tied on the back of the head. Meguims, or Vertigo. The form of nervous complication known as megrims is not uncommon. Its nature is but imperfectly determined. Causes. — It is often connected with worms or other derange- ments of the stomach or bowels, said also to depend on over-accu- mulation of blood in the head. The late Professor John Barlow found tumors in the choroid plexus of the brain. In these cases, it is often connected with over-feeding, and its consequence is derange- ment of the digestive organs. It is most commonly seen in harness horses, usually during hot weather, occurs generally on a heavy pull going up hill, probably from pressure of the collar interrupting the return of blood from the head; or "the long-continued constraint the bearing-reins put the head to," may prove the exciting causes in animals predisposed to it. Symptoms. — All at once, when going along the road, he is ob- served to jerk up his head in a convulsive manner ; he seems giddy, reels, staggers, may fall down and lie for a few moments insensible ; he gets up, looks stupidly about, shakes himself and proceeds as if nothing had happened. At other times he merely stops, experiences a few convulsive movements of the head, with slight giddiness, which by letting him stand for a few minutes soon passes off He is ever after subject to these fits, especially during the hot summer months. A'^.V ,ST1!0KE. 523 TrcdtiiiLitt. — When depending on organic changes in the brain, it is incurable, and is subject to these attacks from time to time. When a fit comes on on the road, stop him at once, throw the collar forward off his shoulders and let him stand ; if convenient, pour a stream of cold water over his head. Bleeding in the mouth has been recommended, but is quite empirical ; it soon passes off When oc- curring in a young horse for the first time, he should be well phys- icked out, and if worms art' suspoctctl, treat as recommended for worms. Tonics are often beneficial, especially arsenic given in doses of from three to five grains daily. Megrim subjects are dan- gerous hacks, and should only be used where they can do no harm to life or property. Sun Stkokk. This is liable to occur during the hot summer months, particu- larly in large cities. It is usually caused by overwork or hard driv- ing in the sun. Horses that are fat and young, and old, feeble horses are most subject to it. Wearing a sun-shade or a large sponge saturated with water on the top of the head, giving cool water occasionally, and sponging out the nostrils, and wetting the head, with of course moderate work or driving, are the best preven- tives. A very good plan, when driving through the country, where accessible, is to tie a few branches well covered with leaves so as to come over the head. They also serve to keep the flies away. For light driving, a breast-strap is better than a collar, because it permits more freedom of the circulation. Symptoms. — In severe cases the horse will suddenly stop, pant violently, possibly drop to the ground and die in a short time. When the attack is mild, he will flag in his gait, be unsteady in his limbs, spread his legs in standing, and totter. The head is held low, the eyes protrude, the nostrils are dilated, the pupils of the eyes smaller than natural, and the breathing rapid. Pulse is quick and weak, the heart beating violently and irregularly. Relief must be prompt. Treatment. — Unharness, and throw pails of cold water over the whole body, especially on the back of the head, neck, and spine. Next, rub the skin energetically with rough cloths or bagging, or anything convenient. Then repeat the douching. The best of all medicine, it is claimed, is quinine. The quickest way to get its ef- fect would be to inject from 25 to 50 or 60 grains under the skin with a hypodermic syringe. This is the remedy used in the East Indies, and is claimed to be the very best in giving relief 624 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. As a prompt diffusable stimulant during the severe depression, the following may be given : — Sulphuric ether 2 oz. Water 1 pint. Given as a drench. Or, 15 to 25 drops tincture of aconite, in a pint of ale. After the attack has passed off, the horse should be turned out where he will be well protected from the glare of the sun by trees, etc., and allowed to rest for a few weeks ; and if it can be avoided, he should not be driven afterward in the hot sun. AzoTURiA, Partial Paralysis, Spinal Meningitis, etc Under these and other names we will notice a disease which is at times very common in this country, and very alarming in its as- pect, from the suddenness of its attack and severity of its symptoms, producing almost complete loss of power of the hind quarters. Causes. — It usually occurs in horses which are being " fed up," or which have been accustomed to hard work, and are allowed to remain in the stable for a few days, having a liberal allowance of good feed ; the system becomes plethoric, more blood being formed than the system can dispose of, whereby the vascular organs are overloaded, and consequently, under increased action caused by ex- ertion, they are apt to become congested. Symptoms. — The animal is apparently in excellent health and spirits. He starts off lively ; but before he has gone far, he sud- denly stops, crouches, seems very much distressed. The sweat rolls off him in streams ; he blows and heaves at the flanks ; he cannot move for a few minutes. He drops on his hind quarters ; can hardly drag them after him. When made to move, he drops as if his leg was dislocated or broken. The pulse is very high, from sixty to eighty, and the muscles of the quarter are swollen and hard. In some cases he gets down, and cannot get up again ; but seldom is loss of power at first complete, or sensibility entirely lost. The urine is generally very high colored ; we have seen it black or coffee colored, which is a sure proof of the trouble, and always voided with difficulty. Treatment. — When seen in the early stages, abstract six quarts of blood,* remove the urine with a catheter, and give from 7 to 8 drachms of aloes. Persistently apply hot-water cloths to the loins, * There is some difference of opinion as to the propriety of bleeding. Some of the best practitioners do not now bleed for this difficulty, and while I should regard it good treatment, it may be omitted, as physicking, with other treatment, will usually give sufficient relief; but if the case is very hearty, short-necked, and full blooded, bleeding would seem to be advisable. PARTIAL PARALYSIS. 525 and cover them up well with dry blankets, changed every half hour. Give 20 drops of tincture of aconite in a little cold water every two hours, till the fever subsides. If the pain is very severe and twitch- ing; give the following drench : — Sweet spirits of niter 3 oz. Tincture of opium 2 oz. Cold water 1 qt. Mix. Injections of soap and water should be given, and the legs well rubbed and bandaged. It is important also that he be turned gently, about every three hours, and that his bedding be made as comfortable as possible. According to modern practitioners, who have had decided success in the treatment of this disease, it is not at all necessary to put in slings. In fact, the better recoveries are made without putting in slings ; neither should he be urged to get up too soon ; will usually do so of his own accord when able, but may be helped a little. In most cases it will yield to this treatment, and in three or four days he will be convalescent. However, in many the loss of power increases ; he makes frequent efforts to get up, but cannot support himself behind. In these cases the spine should be freely blistered with mustard and turpentine, or with the strong ammo- niacal liniment. Good nursing and care are everything ; in fact, indispensable. Give restricted diet, carrots, bran mashes, etc. When all fever and acute symptoms have subsided, and recovery of power is tardy, give the following ball night and morning : — 1 drachm nus vomica in powder, made into a ball, with linseed-meal and ex- tract of gentian. Or, 2 grains strychnine, made into a ball in the same way. The nux vomica or strychnine, whichever is used, should be gradually increased, until to the maximutn of what the system will bear without serious disturbance, when it should be stopped, or the dose diminished. He should be well bedded up with straw, and as before stated, turned as often as once in every three to four hours. It often runs its course in from thirty-six to forty-eight hours, usu- ally, however, in from three to six days. It is more fatal in stallions and geldings than in mares. If a veterinary surgeon is available, he should be called in promptly when this disease appears. In a conversation with Dr. McBeth of this city (Battle Creek), on the foregoing disease, he informed the writer that he had treated a great many cases during his practice, with success ; that a short time before, directly after a severe storm, which was the cause of keeping the animals idle while kept on their usual amount of food. 62fi DISICASliS AND TIIICII! THEATMKST. ho h.'id six discs, as u C(>nsc(|iicii(i-, in one week, .\\\ of wliicli matle (^rood recovery. One case li.id Ikcii ilovvii lort y-ii-jil Ixjiirs, another sonic i-ii'lilicM honi',, :imi .1 lliiid .il)r)nl luiKi- houis Ixlon- lie was CI I led. This snc ( (••.■. indue i-il ni<' lo ni.d.i- 1 lir i((|ni ■,! iji.ii hr would l^ivtr I1U-, ill the fewesi \\ 01 iK, tin- out line of Ins iind( r'.l.mdin", of I lie disease, with Jlis treat imiil , w liu li I i;ivi- lure as du l.ilcd liy liini : 'I'hiH (liM-iiHi' iM ki'Iii'IhII.V '111 n In JKirMi-M Hull, iiiv wnil,r(l Iniril, Mini nIhikI Hiill Willi ri'Kuliir IVml. Wlii'ii piil, lo wuik, uv wlii'ii ilriviMi, |jiTliit|iN mil n'oiiiK iiioni Miitii II i|iiiirli'r In liiiH' \\, iiilln, liii^'lii In hwciiI iirDl'imi'ly, luiil in a I'nw iiiiiiuldK iil'lcrwiiiil mIiiiw nn'iil wciikiicHH in llic lim k, iiclintr iih If linvlnt;' Insl. jiiiwrr In inovo llir liiiid liTH , ill riMl, M,|i|M-iirlii;'; Hl.lir Mil nvir. II' iM.I iK'Ipcil ,|iii(kl.v, llir iKirmr in liahlr lo lllll lldWll. 77/c niUH,' nf III.' ili:,|.|ihr iH Mic lininr iMiiKiiiK iiinn' III I, wliilr idlr. Ilinii llir nyi'l,nlii rnii M|i|irn|iiiiil,v Wlicii piil In wc.iU, 1,1 i.srI.'H ill Mm liiiiilnir rrfiinii lir < 1 l/.',l','.li'il. HIkI lllr ii,lll,n|lll'llri' in llll' llol-HI) 1(IH(!H pDWcr 1,1) rilisr' nr rcilllKij Ills liiiiil |iMi'lii, ir lii'iiliil |irn|iiTlv, will iiMiiiilly n'Kiiln IiIh Hlr(rii)^l,li In Irinii Iwcnly I'mir In Ihiily hI\ liniirM, 'I'ntiliiii III. l''ii'Hl Kivi' II Nliiir|i nillmrl.ic, iiLsn apply ciiniilcr ii riliinlH nvrr Ijii' rv H'ldii ol' lllll klilni'yH, imliiK hI p Hkiii nr (■(iiinl.iir IrriliinlH ; iiIho uhii llic ciilliclcr. (Ilvci Hiniill (IdHi'M 111' NplillH III' iillcr. Willi 101(1 If) (li'iipH iicdiiilii luliidd, I'niiii I'our tciHlx iKMii'H iipiii'l. VViii'ii I'l'viT HiiliNiil(!H, f^ivK nrrvinn IdiiicN Willi Nirycliiiliir in nnc Imlf gnilii (liiHiiH, 111- piiwilcii'il mix viiniicii in niiii liiiH' (inicliin ilii.miH, in Ir [wn In I'nur liiiiirH iipiirl,. 11 iinl vi'iy ^•l'l'illllH, lUioiil, I'liiir limirH iipiirl,. ir III!' linlHi' i'l nnl lllllr In I'IkI'. IIIIInI llnl Irl liilil 11 1 nnc silll' Inll^ri' llnill llirrc llnniMlllll li , 'I'llcMC ril.sns HIT lli'lM ill,M ii li.l llinsl nnl hr f.vcilcil, 'I'liry iiiir.l 1.1' liiiiullril ^('r^ MCiilly mid uiilknl m.Hiiid vrr\ ..iivrnlly Allci llii'. .iiliilr w.e. wiillcn 1 rc( ri\'((l a l'. S. Wlriiiiiirv 'li'iii iiiil \i^\ l>riciiilHr, iss."., |iiililr,lird in (liii .li'.o, III,, in uliiili I lind an rxirllcnl essay on this siilijcil irad li_\- W. 1.. Williams, \'. S., JnloK- llll- Illinois Si. lie \'rl ciiiLii \' A ss( H'i.il ion , .md ,is an addil ioii.il .lid I o siu ( issliil I |i .il ineiil , 1 i opy t hat .id\' isedi))' iliiu : - 'I'll!' Ki'i'iil iiNSKiilial in Iri'iilini'iil Ih iiiri'l'iil mir.-.in;;. willmiil wliii'li siicccsH iH nu'cly piiHuililn ill Hi'vi'iT i-hhi'h. Ah hiumi iih Mm llrht HyinptniiiH iippnir, ki'i'p Mm iiii- iiniil UN <{iilnl iiH piiHHilili'. If iiliii' Id Hiaiiil ('(iinrnrtiilily, iiiivn liim Hliiiui iis hIIII us pnHMilild ; 11' rnciimlKinl,, prni-iiid liiiii a nimd linil nf hIi'iiw at niicis and by an iiiilrl iiininH as pnHHllilc try In pri'Vi'iil, any clVnrl, ill finUiii;,' up. TIiIh ran u.sniilly lici dnin' ri'iidily by liiiviiu; a Hlnady nniii liold Urn lirad. nr Im can be iiKHislcd by iinoMicr imiii Kci'piiij', llic Inwcr I'nrc Ic;; llcvcd iirniiiHl llic clicHl h\ mcMiis nf a sirup ii|inii llic fnnl. Sliniild llic iiniimil 111' MlMiidiiiM, bill .>;ri>wim; iiinrc .'ind iimri' linblc In lull, In.M' nn Hum in Ki^'I1"K ''i'" i"'" Hn' nm,'4l cninfnrliiblc pbicc iil bnnil, Wlicn nirc.idy dnwil. IIIlldNH Mm Wcillllcr III' inrlcmclll nr llic Inclllinll uld.'IMilllblc, dn llnl .'llh'llipl In innvn liiin fnr Iwn nr llircc liniirs. wlicii lie Nlmilld be reinnvi'd In a well bi'dded, ('ninl'nrlablii Innne Imx nr nlied, lie eiin willi lillle dilllcnlly be rolled nn a Inw nled nr a farm f;ale, wlien a wnnd Hpiin nf linrsen will rciidily ilriif,' lilm In Mie sliill dnnr, lUid live nr hIx men will Hmm place liiiii wlierc ilesired, I'iimh llie <-iillielcr early, and I'M! A LYSIS. r.>J7 Uoo]) It up l.wici) 111' Ihricd (liiily so luiin- iin l.lwi iiiiiiiial roiiiniiiM rccimilK^iil. IliMiuivo llui nIkhin fniru llm fDni l'<.(il, In |ii-cvriil Imiislti;; cif IIkm'Ih'hI, iiikI <'11>ows while lyiii.ir ; apply lint. clolliH III' .sli^'lilly Hl.iiiiiiliiliii^' liiiiiiiiiit In llic Idiiis niiil >{I|iii'Ii'I'h. Kciip Ulii )miwi'Ih open hv ninili'i'ilUi (MtMliirllcs iiiul CM IIS. Mini lliiis iisslsl. IIh' UidiicyM III cxiHTiiUiiK 111.' cIlV iiili'i'liilH I'l'diii riid lilond. 'I'lic MdiicvM iiNiiiilly iii'l. lively imdiig'li, lull sluiiilil llii'v iiol ilo HO, (liui'iil.ic.H kUouIiI imi, be ;^ivi'ii iluriii!.': Ilii' ciirly HtllJJOS, IIM tllcy U'iPlllil liiiisl, likely ilU'l'l'llHI! Ule lllicil(l\ exiCHNive eniiL;'eslliili. Allow pli'iily 111' I'lesli wilier 1111(1 ■■(inil, mil riliiiiiH. eiisily diKeMlcil fn.id. i I' llie Miiiiiiiil will eiiL After the Hiii'oiid ill- lliird dii.v. should tiiei'e lie ^'ri'iit deliility, vi'^elaldi' louien Willi alcoluille. NtliiiulaiitH nIiiiuIiI lie ;(lveM ill iiiimIiu'iiIIiiii. 'riin iillliiial Khniild lie turned ('roiii side In Hide three or four limes dully, hut on no aeeoiiiit iii'j!'ed to n'et up, liorKlioiild Hliii.lTM ever lii^ used, as lliey only ii!;;.',ra vnle llie i'iimi> and reliird llie reeov iiry. When tiii' iiiiiiuiil is lit lo be up, he will i^et up al willioul iir-iiu;. Should Nome (le;;i'ee of piiralysiH remain afli'r two or tlin^i wihiUh, mux voiiiiea coiijoiiKMl with diuretics are to he used. In mild ciiHes, a ^I'litle ealhartle, witli a day or two of rest, is sulllciiuit. The proffrimH is ravoraliln, most canes maiiiiiK a rapid and (MUiipiete recovery. In the more severe eases, if the aiiiiniil liiM'omes ipiiet afti^r 1:3 to ilO hours, witli regular, not much ipiieiu'iied pulse, the iippetlle reliiriis, and tlie iininuil lies a liirne part of the liiiii^ upon his eliesi ; rei'overy niiiy bi^ looked Tdl', iilthouKli the animiil liiiiv he iiiinble to rise for live or six days. When the aniinal eolitliiiies resth^ss and weiiU, will not lie upon IiIh clieHt except whiui liold, refuses food almost entirely, llie pillne lieeomeH weaker and ipilcUer, with consideralile elevation of leinperaliire, Ihi' ease is to be eonsidi'red a very K'rave one. The liormi is takun Hiiildciily, falls dow moHt cMimpletoly lost In posterior ex trunilties. No iiKU'ciiHii in the pulsa- tion ; tompnratiirn will lie found at lO'J' lo l(l!t". The usual remedy Is to kIv" h- Hharp cathartic (see " I'liysieUiiif? "), and liavo the iinimal )ilnced in sliii/,'s. Next ajipiy Htiinulatin;{ eiiibrociitioiis to the Hpine, and ffive one of tiie followim^ balls every elfflit hours : I'AK.M.NMS. lid HeiiSMlioii al- Aleoholic extract li('lliuloi\iia liroiiiidi^ potass ,. , l,ii|Uoi'ice root sulllciciit to make into six liails for tile llrsl stiiKc This In'atmeiil slionhl be persisted in for llie rirsl four days, IhoroUKhly hath iii;r the animarN hind ipiarlers with niUHlard water, and Ucepiiif? up llie HlimiilanlH to llio Hpine until sore. Tlii^ ai)pli(;ation of a fresli shecpsUiii or a hoi Halt baUi to the loins would he still lictlcr. There is aiiolher ilillliiilty wbieli ri'seinliles spinal paralysis, namely A/ol,aria (treiitmcnt for which Is ^iveii iiiider tliiit lieiiil). As in the llrsl ciise, tJie aniiniil drops, and loses all power lo j_;cl, up. in spiiiid piiralysis there is a losH of Hi^iiHatlon, l<'i(i. n;ih. Short-nor.koil Horsos Mast Suli|ocl lo this Troiililo. 528 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. and a constant dribbling of urine, and involuntary fecal passage. Temperature 102° to 10a°. No perceptible change of color in urine. In Azotaria the animal has sud- denl}' ])artiiil loss of sensation, the urine and feces not voided. No perceptible rise in temperature. The urine, if withdrawn from tlie patient, will be of a coffee- brown color. The animal is uneasy, struggling and sweating over the flanks, and ia great pain. This difficulty is usually found in short-necked horses that are fed too much grain. Scarcely ever find horses in moderate condition subject to it. — Dr. Meyer. Tetanus, or Lock-jaw. This disease is wholly of a nervous character, being a peculiar irritability of the ner- vous system, inducing constant spasmodic contraction of the vol- untary, and after a time the involuntary, muscles, and is very fatal unless treated skillfully and careful- ly. It is more com- mon in the extreme South than in the North ; and is more liable to occur during the warm months. Symptoms. — In the first stage there is a disinclination to move ; then the tail becomes erect and quivers, the ears set back, and the conjunctiva is thrown over the pupil of the eye, and the head is el- evated, with the muzzle and facial muscles contracted, the nostrils open, and the whole expression of the countenance haggard and ex- cited, evincing great suffering. (A good idea is given by Fig. 839.) As the disease advances, the muscles all over the neck and body become stiff" and rigid, and the legs have the appearance of a four-footed stool. The animal has little or no power to move. For the first few days the teeth remain apart, but as the disease advances, the muscles of the jaw become so contracted as to bring them close together. Hence the name " locked-jaw." The bowels are constipated, the urine scanty, and passed with difificulty. The pulse is usually not very high, but is easily raised by excitement ; he is very nervous, starts and quivers when any one approaches him. His appetite remains good, and from inability Fig. 839. — Symptoms of Lock-jaw. TENT ANUS, OR LOCK-JAW. 529 to feed, his hunger amounts to starvation ; he will make every effort to suck up gruel or fluids, when, from the fixity of the jaws, he is unable to masticate. The breathing, at first not much altered, be- comes difficult and loud. The symptoms generally reach their cli- max about the third or fourth day. The causes of this disease are numerous. It commonly occurs in consequence of wounds, when it is called traumatic tetanus; in which case it is not developed until about the period the wound is ■considered healed ; it may occur from causes not apparent, when it is distinguished as idiopathic tetanus ; but it is generally produced from a wounded nerve or bunch of nerves, pricking the tail, and very often from docking, punc- tured wounds in the feet from glass or nails, and sometimes from exposure to cold. Sum- merville says, " I have known one case to occur from fright." Worms and other intestinal ir- ritation sometimes give rise to it. The pulse is almost normal for the first few days. As the disease advances, the pulse quickens, and the animal is com- pelled to stand on his legs un- If favorably, a relaxation of the Fifi. 840. — A Test for Lock jaw. til death, if it terminates fatally muscles begins from the fifth to the seventh day. Treatment. — First, as the disease is of a nervous character, qui- etness is of the greatest importance. The animal should be re- moved to an isolated place, or cool, dark, roomy loose box, by him- self, and the cause of the disease found. If from docking, the next joint should be taken off the tail. If from a wound in the foot, the wound should be opened up and made new, and an application of digestive ointment inserted, so as to produce a healthy flow of mat- ter. Or, as soon as opened up, diligently foment with warm water, after which cover with belladonna, and apply poultices of linseed meal and opium or hyoscyamus to soothe and allay the irritation, and give promptly at the same time a strong purgative, such as — ■ AI0C8 (Barbadoes) 7 dr. Calomel 3 dr. Given in solution or ball, as most convenient. Injections of alkaline solution of aloes should also be given, as it is of the greatest importance to get the bowels open early. Bella- 34 a 530 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. donna in half-drachm doses should be given four or five times a day. If it cannot be given otherwise, place it up in the cheek, when he will suck it up. He must be kept perfectly quiet, and the box cool and dark, no one being allowed to go near him but the attendants, and they must go about him noiselessly. A newly flayed sheep-skin should be laid over the loins, and well covered up to excite perspiration. Very high authorities claim that blisters and other irritating treat- ment must be avoided. He must be treated as in a nervous fever, while average good authorities advise having the spine rubbed well with a strong liniment, such as one part aqua ammonia, two parts sweet-oil ; to be repeated daily until the back becomes sore. He should be allowed all the nutriment he will take ; and when he can- not eat, sloppy drinks of linseed tea, barley water, well-boiled oat- meal gruel, etc., should be frequently placed within his reach. It may run its course in four or five days, or it may continue for one or two weeks. It very often proves fatal. Dr. Mc Beth, of this city, who has had excellent success in the management of this disease, informs the writer that he has recently had two very severe cases, both idiopathic. The worst, owned by W. M. Merritt, of this city, had run four days, with jaws entirely fixed, before being called. His treatment is, first sharp cathartic, aloes, with enemas to encourage action of the bowels, with half- drachm doses of belladonna, in some cases even more ; in this case, being a very desperate one, he gave drachm doses of solid extract, every three to four hours, with counter irritation over the spine, and generous nourishment as described. He of course found great difficulty in giving the medicine, being compelled to push the aloes up into the mouth with a piece of stick, until a sufficient amount was taken up to produce a free action of the bowels. Stringhalt. This is a peculiar jerking or pulling up of the hind legs when walking or trotting, familiar to every one. It is most severe during cold weather when the horse is led out of the stable, also after a hard drive, and is much better when driven and warmed up. Many horses that have but a slight touch of it may move off showing so little evidence of it as to escape notice. If suspected, back the horse up hill, especially after standing awhile, or when cool, and he will show it most clearly. It is claimed that colts suffering from worms, and horses suffer- THUMPS. 531 ing from derangement of the digestive organs, will show some tem- porary jerking of one or both hind legs, from which they recover under good keeping and mineral tonics. The writer has never known a case of stringhalt to be cured. There are a great many theories and pretended cures, but I know of none worthy of mention. Thumps, or Spasmodic Action of the Diaphragm, commonly called thumps, is caused by severe and long-contin- Fio. 841. — The Circulatory Apparatus Indicating the Position ot Heart, Arteries, and Diaphragm. ued driving and hard work. Horses of a nervous temperament hav- ing too much cold water given to drink on a cold morning, nervous irritation, severe work or excitement from any cause, may excite this trouble. Symptoms. — A sudden jerking or twitching of the muscles of the sides and flanks ; pulse wiry, quick, and low ; more or less fever ; extremities natural. Treatment. — This disease being of a purely spasmodic character. 532 DISICASES AM) TIIRII! THE AT M EST. but in tliis c;isc wliolly of ;i nervous nature, Ijlccdinj^ must be omitted, and must be treated wholly by giving spasmodic remedies. Give asafetida, in a dose of frnni 1 to .'! ounces of the tincture, mixed in a half ])int of water. (;i\in as a drench, it will stop it almost in- stantly. If necessary, tin- nicdiciiu- ma)- be repealeil in two hours. Keep the horse well clollicd, and ,ill exciting causes away from him. The bowels should be ki pt loose and regular, by giving bran mashes and niddcrate e.vercise. l.vMriiANcrns \V'i;i;i) — Monday Morninc 1.i:c.. This disease is attributed to high feeding and insufficient exer- cise, generally in working-horses. Those having worked steadily are kept standing in the stable for a few days, given all they can eat, when on ri morning the animal will be found lame. This usually occurs in ilra\' horses. The owner conus in late Saturday night, and feeds ; on Sunday lie givi'S an r.xlr.i allowance, enough, to last all da\' ; the horse eats all. Perhaps the owner does not come again until the following day, when he finds his horse is unable to back out of the stall. I'"or this reason the tlisease is called by some Mon- day morning leg. It usually affects one of the hind legs, and is an infl.imniation of the lymjjhatics. The left leg is usually affected. The leg is swollen, is favored and held from the ground ; the swelling extends on the inner side from the foot up to the body. There is heat, and great tenderness to the touch. Horses that have once been attacked by lymphangitis are liable to a recurrence time after time, until the limb assumes permanently an enlarged con- tlil ion. J'ri-ii/iiiciit. C'lotlu' llu- animal warmU' and give a moderate purge, and balhe the affected limb with very hot salt water 'i^ or 4 times a day. After each bathing, apply the following lotion : — 'riiiiiiur of arnica 2 oz. WllIlT 1 pt. I'"eeil no oats or stimulating fooil, simplj' bran mashes, to which add plenty of salt ; after the third or fourth day feeil one of the fol- lowing powders morning and night : — lodiiio of ])olii8.s 2 oz. IJicarlionato of (lotass 1 J oz. I'owdercil {^ciiliaii root 3 oz. Mix and make into 10 powders. In S to 1<> days, when the sj-mptoms have disappeared, if any l'EniTOi\ITlH. 533 swelling remains, tiiere bcins,' iki i)aiii, apply for a few times an ointment. M(M-(urial ointinont 2 oz. Iddiiic (liiitnient \\ oz. Viis(!liiiL' 4 oz. Make into a salve. TiiK Pkkitoneum. The peritoneum is the thin serous membrane which lines the cavity of the belly, and is reflected over the organs contained within it, forming a complete covering to them. It also suspends and re- tains them in their proper relative positions by its folds and reflec- tions, vulgarly known as the caul (omenta). This membrane also secretes a delicate serous fluid for the purpose of lubricating the sur- face, so as to prevent friction during the ceaseless motions of the viscera. It is also the matrix over which the blood-vessels are dis- tributed to the organs contained in the belly ; hence the inflamma- tion of these organs is apt to extend along this vascular-investing membrane, constituting peritonitis. I'KKITONITI.S. Peritonitis occurs in two forms, acute and chronic. Acute per- itonitis, as a primary disease, is not very common in the horse. Causes. — It is usually caused by external violence, as from be- ing hooked by a cow's horn, or staked in jumping a fence ; it also sometimes follows castration, operations for hernia, and other oper- ations involving a division of it, and occasionally from e.xjjosure to dam[) and cold, especially when heated. Syiiiptonis. — It usually sets in with shivering fits, general uneas- iness in the region of the abdomen ; quick, short breathing ; pulse quick, small, and wiry ; tenderness on pressure on belly ; lying down and rising frequently ; he moves about uneasily in his box, and is very feverish ; the bowels are costive, and he strains occa- sionally. The pain is not so violent as in colic or inflammation of the bowels, for which it is apt to be mistaken. Treatment. — Relieve the bowels by injections, give a brisk jnir- gative, as six drachms of aloes, with a drachm of calomel. Drachm doses of extract of belladonna or hyoscyamus should be given every hour, for three or four doses ; or tincture of aconite, from fifteen to twenty drops every two hours, in a little cold water, till the fever is subdued. Apply smart counter-irritation to the whole surface of the belly by rubbing in a strong liquid blister. The treatment of peritonitis does not differ very materially from that of enteritis, or inflammation of the bowels, which see. 534 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. TEE STOMACH. The stomach is that pouch or bag into which the food passes from the gullet, and in which it undergoes the primary and essential changes in the process of digestion. The stomach of the horse is a comparatively small organ ; its shape is generally compared to the air-bag on a pair of bag-pipes. It has two openings, the cardiac, into which the food enters from the gullet, and the pyloric, through which it passes into the bowels, or gut. Its inner surface is lined by two distinct membranes, a ciiticular and a villous. The former lines the cardiac portion, and is white and wrinkled ; the latter covers the pyloric, and is yellowish red, soft and velvety to the touch. The latter is the true digestive stomach. In it the gastric juice is secreted, and the essential process of chymification, or the formation of the food into chyme, goes on, the former being merely for macerating and further triturating the masticated food. Indigestion. Indigestion in one form or another is very common in the horse. It occurs in two forms, which may be distinguished as acid- ity of the stomach, or heart-burn, and acute indigestion, or total arrestment of digestion. Acidity of the Stomach. Acidity of the stomach arises from bad food and irregular feed- ing. Symptoms. — The animal is observed to lose condition ; the skin is dusty and unthrifty ; he is continually poking and picking among the litter, licking out the corners of the manger, occasionally stretch- ing out the nose, and pouting the upper lip. If turned out, he licks earth or sand, and evinces a depraved appetite ; at work he is easily sweated ; his bowels are irregular, the dung being light-colored and glazed. Treatment. — Change the feed, give sweet, well-cured ha)', a few bran-mashes, and gentle walking exercise. Give him the following laxative ball : — Barbadoes aloes. .v- 6 dr. Orouiul ginfTor 3 dr. Carbonate of soda 2 dr. Make into a ball with molasses or lard. Place a lump of rock salt in his manger, and give a little car- bonate of soda or magnesia twice a day in the feed. When recovery begins, give him tonics for some time, with identic exercise. If he ACUTE INDIGESTION. 535 persists in devouring the litter, muzzle him up for a few days. This, if neglected, is apt to run on to diabetes or jaupis. Acute Indigestion. Acute indigestion is very common in this country, especially in the spring, from the continuous hard work, and necessarily liberal feeding. It is usually induced by overfeeding, that is, eating too much at a time, more especially when the animal has been fatigued and hungry. It sometimes occurs from his breaking loose in the night, and gorging himself at the corn-bin. Another frequent cause is overloading the stomach with clover or green feed when wet ; this often induces violent and fatal indigestion. Symptoms. — Digestion may be arrested, either by "the food un- dergoing no change, forming a dangerous load, or running rapidly to frightful fermentation." In the former case the animal is dull and stu])id, the pulse is slow, and the breathing oppressed ; he is stiff, and inflammation of the feet, or acute founder, is apt to set in. If he have access to water, it speedily sets up fermentation, gas being rapidly evolved ; the stomach is greatly distended, the belly swol- len, colicky pains set in, he rolls about in great agony, looking wist- fully at his flank, kicking his belly with his feet ; he tosses about in despair, the bowels being unmoved. He gets up and down fre- quently, the sweat rolls off him in streams, and in many cases death puts an end to his sufferings in from four to six or eight hours, caused by rupture of the stomach or bowels, or violent inflammation of the intestines. Treatment. — It is more easily prevented than cured, by simply attending to the following rules : Never let a horse get too hungry ; never give him too much at a time ; never put him to work on a full stomach ; and never let him drink too freely after eating, and we will seldom see this fatal disease. Treatment must be prompt to be effectual. The following drench will be found useful : — IJHrh.adoes aloes 8 dr. Liquor ammonia 1 fl. oz. Or, spirits of turpentine .' 3 fl, oz. Dissolve the aloes with a little carbonate of soda, in nearly a (jiiart of warm water, and add the other. Rub the belly well, and apply cloths wrung out of boiling water diligently to it. Give copious injections of soap and water, or a mild infusion of tobacco or tobacco-smoke. If no relief is obtained in one or twoTiours, give at intervals of an hour, two drachms car- bonate of ammonia, \ ounce ginger (powdered), in gruel. Chapter XXIY, THE FOOT. Pricking in Shoeing, Stepping on Nails, Glass, etc. THE foot is made up of the coffin-bone (os pedis), the lower end of the small pastern bone (os corona), and the navicular bone(osna- vicularis), with the tendon of the flexor pedis, which passes over the navicular bone, and is inserted in the soleof the coffin-bone, a vari- ety of illustrations of which I give. The surface of the coffin-bone is covered by laminae or thin plates, running from above downward, fitting into corresponding plates on the inner surface of the hoof. The sole is also covered by a sensitive structure which is villous, that is, presenting elevations and depressions, which fit into recipro- cal horny villi on the sole of the foot. At the back part of the sole we have the sensitive or fatty frog, covered in a similar manner by the horny frog. These, with the coronary ligament (which occu- pies the groove in the upper margin of the wall of the hoof, and from which the hoof grows), and the coronary frog-band, blood-ves- sels, nerves, and lymphatics, constitute the foot of the horse. (To make this more plain, I include drawings of different views of the hoof; reference can also be made to illustrations in " Shoeing.") Accidents and injuries of the foot constitute the principal bruises, — stepping on stones, sharp bodies, treads, etc., and are also causes of lameness. It is liable to injury from various causes, as oc- casionally participating in constitutional derangement ; but by far the greatest amount of injury arises, directly or indirectly, from shoeing. Sometimes, from carelessness, a nail penetrates the sensitive part of the foot (usually called the quick). Sometimes the nail itself does not penetrate, but is driven so close as to cause the wall, in its course, to press on and bruise the quick, (something like Fig. 843,) giving rise to inflammation, and usually terminating in suppuration. Serious trouble is also liable to be caused by driving the nails deep and clinching them tightly, as this will bend the nails more or less inward upon the soft parts, causing a binding, uncomfortable (536) THE FOOT. 5.37 pressure that produces a soreness, and sometimes very serious in- flammation. Symptoms. — Lameness may appear in a day or two, sometimes not for a week. The foot is found to be hot and tender, and the least tap with the hammer causes pain ; in moving, the animal sets tlie foot down so as to throw the pressure off the tender part, and when standing he will rest the foot. Sometimes the leg swells con- siderably ; the swelling is sometimes painful, and is very apt to mis- lead the inexperienced. Treatment. — Remove the shoe, and having with the hammer or pincers discovered the faulty nail, thin the sole around it, and with a fine drawing- knife follow the course of the nail till the matter is evacuated ; make a free vent for it, and immerse the foot in a warm poultice for a day or two. When the symptoms subside, the shoe may be applied, and the sole filled with tow and tar, or Friar's bal- sam, tincture of myrrh, etc., retained by cross slips or a leather sole, care being taken not to bruise the sole. The crust at the injured part should not rest on the shoe. fFor further details, see page 349 in " Shoeing.") If the nails are driven so deep as to bind, which, as before stated, is a very common occurrence, particularly in feet with thin hoofs, the first thing to do is to remove the nails ; if much inflam- mation, poultice until relieved ; then let the shoe extend farther out under the crust, and drive smaller nails, using care not to drive deep. If a nail has been driven into the foot, get the horse to the sta- ble as quick as you can, and take off the shoe. If not done before, remove the nail, glass, or whatever it is, from the foot carefully. See that no part remains, and remove a little of the hoof from around the opening. Drop a few drops of Friar's balsam or com- pound tincture of benzoin into the orifice, both of which can be ob- tained in almost any drug store. If this is not obtainable, use the simple digestive ointment (given under head of "Cuts "),and cover the foot with a large flaxseed poultice. If the injury is at all severe, give a sharp dose of physic, and let the animal stand quiet. The -The Horse as he Usually Rests the Foot when Lame. 538 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. object is to keep down the inflammation. No hot oils or anything stimulating- is to be applied. If there is much inflammation, omit digestive dressing until after it is reduced by poulticing, when dress with digestives. There is liable to be tenderness if the sole should strike the ground afterward, as there may be inflammation of the periosteum, to relieve which, put on a high-heeled shoe, and blister around the coronet. The sole is sometimes bruised by the shoe pressing upon it, causing much inflammation and lameness. Take off the shoe, poultice for twenty-four hours or more ; fit the shoe so as to remove all pressure from the sole ; if sore yet, continue the poultice ; if matter is formed, treat as you would any simple ulcer, with a heal- ing astringent. Several good preparations are given in another part of this -work. Foot Lameness.* Symptoms. — Horse goes gradually sore, walking tender either behind or before. As a rule comes in one foot; if in the hind foot, tries to put the heel down first. Not much fever in the feet. No apparent cause ; hard to locate the trouble. The only diag- nosis is by tapping the wall of the foot, which will give a hollow sound. It is all due to want of cell-growth or nutrition of horn cells, which will cause the wall or hoof to separate from the true foot. At the start the horse may travel sore or tender, growing worse gradually for two or three months ; finally the horse becomes very lame. There is no fever ; no pain by pressure or hammering. The only point noticeable is by the hollow sound of the wall when hammered upon. By examining the sole of the foot at the point where the sole and wall are united, by pricking there with a probe, a granulating substance will be found — little dry fibers of horn, which are the dead horn-cells. These can be found and pricked clear up to the coronary band, with- out causing any feeling to the horse. Treatment. — Clean out the foot properly, and pour nitric acid into the crevice made until all the dead part is cleaned out. Then put on a plain shoe so as to pro- tect the sole and wall ; fill out the bottom with oakum and hot tar ; next fire all around the coronary band, the same as for ring-bone, and apply a sharp blister, and allow the horse to stand five or six weeks. If by the third week there is no sign of bealthy horn, the blister may again be applied. But there is usually after three or four weeks a good noticeable growth of healthy horn. After this, but little more can be done than to exercise the horse moderately, until the new growth of horn-structure has grown down. Fig. 843.— Rucking. * Dictated by Dr. Charles A. Meye GRA YE ling: 639 Seedy Toe. This is the name given to a dry, mealy secretion of horn, which is sometimes seen to take place between the horny and sensitive sole at the toe. It is seldom seen in this country, owing to clips be- ing not much used. Causes. — It is generally caused by large clips being hammered firmly on the toe, bending in the hoof, and bruising the part. Symptoms. — Pain and lameness, with heat and tenderness, on pressure at the toe. The horn is dry and mealy, and matter is gen- erally found at the bottom of it. In bad cases, horny processes are found pressing inward, pro- ducing absorption of the coffin-bone, with a tendency for fungus growths to shoot up, producing a very troublesome disease. Treatment. — In a simple case, open it up, cut down to the bot- tom, add poultice for a few days, when the shoe may be applied ; remove the pressure by cutting down the crust, and fill it up with tow and hot tar, when it will soon get well. In bad cases, with fungus and bony absorption going on, free incisions must be made; sometimes it will be necessary to cut through the wall. Caustics must be freely used, such as muriate of antimony, dilute hydrochloric acid, etc., with pressure judiciously applied ; the process may be arrested, and the part healed. When there is want of cell-growth, with a separation of the wall from the inner structure, which is very common in horses that have been driven hard, or been partially foundered, another high authority advises the following, which is practically the same as that given for foot-lameness : — Treatment. — Thorough and repeated blistering around the coronet. Next pour boiling hot tar or even corrosive substance, such as muriatic acid, butter of anti- mony, spirits of salts, etc., into the cavity formed. Whenever there is a separation of the wall from the sole, with weak or slow growth of horn, this is effectual if there is any life in the parts. In severe cases, as first explained, the firing-iron is necessary, first cleaning out the dead part and filling in with hot tar, etc. This is added in order to give a little more extended idea of th? method of treatment. Graveling. A small stone, gravel, or dirt becoming imbedded under the shoe at the point of the heel between the bar and frog, usually the inner heel, and working through the sole into the quick, is called graveling. If not removed, it will in time work up through the cor- 540 niSHASES AND THEIR TBEATMEXT. onet, or cause matter to form which will burrow between the wall and the sensitive sole. The horse shows more or less lameness on the trot ; is aggra- vated when driven over hard ground or trotted fast. If not inter- fered with, the lameness continues for about three months, when the gravel usually works through the coronet, making a small break in the skin, after which the lameness disappears ; but should the mat- ter be confined to the sole and surrounding parts, it is liable to cause considerable disturbance and injury to the foot. When a horse shows lameness without any apparent cause, this part should be carefully examined, 1. To discover if the sole is broken at the point of the heel ; 2. By slight tapping against the wall of the part with a small stone or hammer, to find if there is any unusual sensibility ; 3. By resting the hand gently upon the part, to see if there is any increased heat, which would of course point to the seat of trouble. Sometimes gravel works into the sensitive part in consequence of the sole being denuded to relieve a bruise or corn. The point is to remove the cause of irritation. If much in- flammation and pain, poultice ; this will lower inflammation, and aid in soaking out and removing any foreign matter accumulated. When this has been done, saturate a pledget of tow with tincture of myrrh, or tar ointment, or Friar's balsam, and insert into the part, covering it completely. Next, fit a shoe so there will be no pressure upon this part, and nail on. It will usually be found necessary to put on a bar shoe until the heel is grown down again and will bear pressure. Bruise of the Sole. The sole is liable to bruise from the shoe being improperly seated, sometimes from sand or gravel being impacted in the web of the shoe, or by " picking up" a stone, which, getting wedged in the foot, bruises the sole. Symptoms. — Lameness first attracts attention to it ; in removing the shoe, the sole is found tender, and the foot hot ; on paring the sole, it is found discolored at the bruised part. Treatment. — A few days' rest may be necessary, with the foot immersed in a poultice, or stopped with some emollient dressing ; and by using a leather sole or felt pads for a short time, it disappears. Treads, or Calks. Injuries to the coronet are very common, especially in the Northern States during the winter months, when horses with sharp calks are driven or worked on rough, icy roads or deep snow, par- TREADS, OR CALKS. 641 ticularly in the woods. Treads, or calks, usually happen on the hind foot, by the horse accidentally setting one foot on the other, or another horse stepping on it. In ordinary cases, if not cut very deep, all that is necessary to do is to cut the hair from the edges, sponge or clean out any hair or dirt that may be driven in, and pour on a little kerosene oil, followed by a little hot tar, or the parts cov- ered with hot tar will be sufficient. But if the cut is deep, it will sometimes prove to be a very se- rious difficulty, and require prompt attention to prevent serious in- flammation of the parts. The first thing to be done in such a case is to carefully remove any dirt or other foreign matter. When thoroughly clean, it may be bound up with a pledget of tow dipped Fig. 844. — The Coronet as it Usually Appears when Badly Calked. Fig. 845.— As the Hair Should be Clipped from the Edges of the Injury. in tincture of myrrh, or compound tincture of benzoin, or Friar's balsam, which, if available, will be found an excellent remedy. The point is now to prevent any excessive inflammation. Keep the horse quiet, feed bran mashes, etc., no grain ; and if there is enough inflammation to cause much soreness, cover the foot with a large hot poultice. If the soreness becomes at all excessive, at once use hot fomentations, following up for at least one or two hours three or four times a day ; after which keep the leg tied up with wet cloths, or poultice. If there is extreme pain, give an anodyne, or inject a little morphine under the skin, as a horse cannot endure pain very long, and continue fomentations industriously ; this, at all events, must not be neglected. In very severe cases it may be necessary to put the horse in 542 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. slings, if he will not lie down. When the inflammation subsides, but little more is necessary to be done than to let the parts alone, dressed with any of the prepara- tions before given. To illustrate the seriousness of these cases sometimes, I will refer to an accident of the kind to one of my own horses. One of my men, who had special charge of and drove a favorite pony, took it into his head during the winter to have the calks pointed with steel and made very sharp. While the pony was standing in his stall, with one foot resting against the oppo- site, he was suddenly startled by some one approaching, when, throwing his weight upon the ele- vated foot, the inside calk was driv- en well into the coronet of the op- posite foot. I was kept ignorant of the accident for several days, when it was made known to me by discovering the horse to be lame. The injury at the surface did not seem to be serious, but it was deep. In conse- quence of being driven on the road, the inflammation soon became so serious that it was necessary, at great incon- venience, to leave the horse behind a couple of weeks, the part in the meantime being thoroughly poulticed and fomented. The inflammation passing off, and being entirely free from lameness, he was again put to his work on the road, when the roads were breaking up. Driving him through the deep mud for a few miles again brought on such serious inflammation of the parts as to ne- cessitate a constant application of fo- mentations for hours at a time, night and day, for several days, to overcome it. Fig. 840 is an illustration Pig. 846. — As the Foot was Held During tlie Period of Greatest Inflammation. Fig. 847. — The Usual Appearance of a Foot Badly Calked, and Neglected or Improperly Treated. QUITTOR. 543 of how he stood when he suffered most severely. I also give specimens of the usual method of sharpening the calks in winter, and as they should be rounded or filed to prevent serious injury. Owners should not neglect to look to this matter very carefully. The toe and inside calk especially should be rounded sufficiently to prevent any serious cutting. Concave shoes should be used in winter ; with such, calks Fio. 848. — Calks as They are Usually Sharpened in Winter. need not be long or sharp to give sufficient hold. Particular care should be taken not to have any calks or sharp shoes on when there is an Fig. 849.— As the Calks Should be Blunted or Rounded to Prevent Cutting. effort to subdue a horse. This caution must not be disregarded, as a horse under such circumstances is liable to cut himself danger- ously. Overreach. When a horse, in a fast pace, overreaches the fore with the hind foot, the inner rim of the shoe cutting a semi-circular flap on the heel or quarter, it is called an "overreach." It should be treated as a tread ; but when practicable, the edges should be brought together by a wire suture, and bound up with Friar's balsam or compound tincture of benzoin. QUITTOR. In all cases in which matter forms in the foot, whether from pricks, corns, bruises, or treads, unless it has free openings to es- cape by, it acts as an irritant, extending in every direction, through 544 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. the tissues, and at last working its way to the coronet, where it bursts, producing a very troublesome disease, and requiring both patience and perseverance to effect a cure. Symptoms. — It is recognized by the small aperture at the coro- net, which seems almost overgrown with " proud flesh." The dis- Fio. 850— A Good Rep- resenlaiion of an In- jury by Over- reach. Fig. ^."iL — As the Edges ol the Wound Should be Trimmed before Dressing. charge is glairy and constant. On examining it with a probe, si- nuses are found running in all directions. The quarter is enlarged and bulging, and the lameness severe and protracted. As I cannot do better than give the treatment used by Mr. Gamgee,* which is recognized as the very best, I will give it in full :— After taking off the shoe, and doing all that Is necessary to the hoof, I prepare to inject a mixture, for the pharmaceutical combination of which I say nothing, though I can say a great deal for its practical efficiency. To prepare the mixture, take bichloride of mercury, one drachm ; rectified spirit, one ounce; after rubbing and dissolving the sublimate in the spirit, add half a drachm of liquor plumbi acetatis. By means of a small syringe, elastic gum, or pewter, with small tube two inches in length, and bulbous end, I inject the mixture down the sinus. This re- quires to be carefully but very effectually done. The direction of the syringe must f Joseph Gamgee, formerly professor iu the new Veterinary College, Edinburgh, Scotland. QUITTOR. 54i: therefore be changed from the vertical to the oblique, in both a forward and a back- ward direction, the object being to infiltrate the mass as far as it can be penetrated by the innumerable small sinuses converging to the outer channel. To do this part well, one strong man is better than several hands, if the horse's head be held steady, and an assistant hand the instruments, etc. I take the horse's foot forward upon my knee, and, as a rule, succeed in performing the operation without giving much pain to cause the horse to resist ; though difficulty, requiring a little exceptional care, may occasionally occur when previous treatment and torture have been resorted to. Now for the effect that follows : The foot is released and placed on the ground, and once or twice the animal stamps, indicating that a smarting is produced by the caus- tic agent; but in a brief space of time that passes, and signs of ease are manifest. On examining the foot in as short a time as four hours after the operation, I have found the tumor sensibly subsided, and all the symptoms favorable. We have been iii the habit (members of my family used this excellent remedy before me) of repeat- ing the injection of the preparation the second time after the lapse of twelve to twenty-four hours, and again, after a sim- ilar interval, a third time. And this gen- eral rule seems to me to recommend itself, S'SjIIW ^"'^ admit of explanation in this way : At Wr ^^^^ ^■'^ ^^^ structures are so engorged that ^ftjjp^" the agent cannot be forced through the morbid deposit ; but in proportion as the diseased structures are reached, they are destroyed, and shrink, and in each succeed- _~i«_'fc. >JX % ing application the fluid caustic is pressed i-ound the withered, wasted substance, until the whole comes away in the space of a week or little more, when the cure is advanced far, and thereafter rapidly effected. This represents the progress of a good cure. Sometimes the application has to be re- FiG. 853. — An Ideal Representation of a peated several times, at intervals of two or Foot Sliowing Bad Condition three days ; but where delay is essential, I of Quittor. diminish the activity of the preparation by adding a double portion of spirit. The following treatment for quittor was given the writer by one of the most successful practitioners in the country, who claims it will cure any case, in fact, leaving nothing to be desired when used properly : — In the first stage of quittor inject into every part carefully two or three times a day the following lotion : — Corrosive sublimate h oz. Goulard's extract 3 dr. Alcohol 4 oz. After the fourth day Inject twice a day equal parts of the following mixture : — Potassa chloras 3 oz. Potassa permanganas 1 oz. Hydrochloric .acid J oz. Water 8 oz. 546 DISEASES AND THEIR TREAT ME XT. This is a splendid thing for ((uittor, and also fistulous withers. Of late, I have great success with it. A bar or three-quarter bar shoe, should be used for some time, and the diseased quarter cut down to keep it from pressure ; and in course of time the foot will become useful, if not sound. Thrush. Copying the language of a standard authority, "Thrush is in- flammation of the lower structure of the sensitive frog, during which pus is secreted with or instead of horn." It is most common in the hind feet, and also occurs in the fore. It occurs at all ages, and is frequently seen in the colt running in the straw-yard, arising from the acrid moisture of urine, dung, etc., softening and corroding the frog, and extending to the sensitive structures above. It is also seen in roadsters whose feet are not exposed to acrid moisture. In them it is caused by contraction, or the insinuation of sand and dirt inta the cleft of the frog, producing irritation, followed by suppuration of the sensitive frog, causing it to secrete unhealthy horn, and dis- charge offensive matters. It may sometimes be constitutional, as we often observe it ap- pear just as the coat is being changed, and other constitutional changes are taking place in the system. Symptoms. — There is seldom much lameness, unless the ani- mal steps on a stone, or sand or gravel gets into the cleft ; but it is always attended by a tender, gingerly action. The cleft of the frog is deeper than in health, and a thin, acrid discharge oozes from its- sides and bottom, emitting a characteristic and fetid odor. If not checked, it extends, and the frog becomes loose and ragged ; scales fall off in layers, exposing the sensitive parts, which are tender and contracted. If neglected, the entire foot may be involved, and it may degenerate into canker. Treatment. — No time should be lost, and no case, however slight, should be neglected. The foot must be thoroughly cleaned,, and all loose, detached parts freely removed. The secreting sur- face should be exposed, and calomel dusted on, and pressed with a spatula or thin slip of wood into every crevice. Keep the foot thoroughly dry, and more than one or two dressings will seldom be required. Sometimes it readily yields to cleanliness and simple dressings, with hot tar placed in the cleft with tow, and retained with cross slips, or applications of sugar of lead or sulphate of zinc. Or, after the parts have been washed, and the diseased part removed as directed, apply powdered sulphate of copper to the parts, and fill CAXKEH. 547 up all parts with cotton packed in so as to keep out all dirt. If nec- essary, this should be repeated in a few days. It is generally advisable to give some opening medicine, and attend to the general health and exercise. Canker. Canker of the foot is apt to supervene in cases of neglected or badly treated thrush, quittor, or puncture, and often follows bad cases of grease. It is most common in heavy draft-horses, that are kept in damp, filthy stables, and is most prevalent about large cities. Syuiptoiiis. — In this disease we find a morbid state of the sensi- tive sole and frog, and instead of sound, healthy horn, fungus excrescences are thrown out, with an offen- sive acrid discharge. When aggravated, the whole becomes covered with a growth of fungi, which are,.like shreds of leather in appearance, with a great tendency to spread over or under- run the sole, separating the horny from the sen- sitive parts. It is very difficult to get the horn to grow again. Treatment. — In no case is so much patience re- _, „_„ ,. quired as in canker, — in fact, it is generally con- FiG. 853.— The Foot, ^ ' , . -^ , . Showing Canker sidered as incurable, from the difficulty experi- enced in suppressing the fungus, and getting the horn to grow again. All loose and detached horn must be carefully re- moved, so as to give free vent to the irritating matter. As much of the fungus as may seem practicable, without much bleeding, should be removed by the knife or cautery, and followed up by some escharotic, such as acetate or sulphate of copper, nitrate of silver, butter of antimony, or sulphuric acid. Whatever caustic is used, it must be applied every day ; for if neglected one day, it is apt to underrun the sole, and may lose more than it will regain in a week. Firm pressure is very beneficial, and should be constantly applied by means of tow, firmly impacted, and retained by means of slips of wood or hoop-iron slid under the shoe ; and the foot must be kept perfectly dry. The caustic may be occasionally changed. To destroy the fetor, chloride of zinc or chloride of lime may be dusted on, or even occasional dressings of dry lime will be useful. With a dressing of tar, in which verdigris and nitric acid, two drachms of each to one pound of tar, are well mixed, and applied with a degree of firm press- ure, at least every second day, the worst cases can be cured. 5-iS DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Moderate work, if it can be done without the foot getting wet, will expedite a cure. The following is highly recommended as a dressing: Take equal parts of pine tar and lard, melt over a slow fire, and add sulphuric acid very slowly until ebullition (boiling) ceases. Apply this to the parts. SPRAINS, BRUISES, ETC. Sprains are so common, and so liable to spoil a horse when neglected or not treated properly, and in addition the treatment i": so simple and easily applied, that the subject is worthy of more than ordinary attention. On this account I have introduced several il- lustrations, showing the parts in the fore legs that are most liable to such injury. Sprain may be said to consist in an overstretching of the part (be it muscle, tendon, or ligament) to such a degree as to cause rupture of some of the fibers of which it is composed, in consequence of which inflammation is set up, and effusion takes place, producing enlargement around the part. The reason why sprains take so long to recover is, the lacerated fibers have to be absorbed, and new ones formed in their place, or, as is often the case in repeated sprain of the same part, their place is filled up by organized lymph, leaving a permanent thickening. Causes. — Natural weakness of the part sometimes predisposes to it. It may arise from whatever exposes the part to inordinate exertion, as, for instance, slipping on ice or on a rolling stone, awk- ward stepping, galloping on rough or uneven ground, and a com- mon cause is allowing the feet to grow too long, SymptojHs — In severe cases the part is swollen, hot, and tender ; the limb is thrown into a position that relaxes the sprained part. If extensive, we have symptomatic fever, and he refuses his food, the mouth is hot, pulse accelerated, etc., which passes off when the more acute symptoms subside. Lameness, of course, is continuous, thus differing from disease of the joint, in which he is always lamest at starting, getting less lame as he gets warmed up. Treatment. — No matter where the location of the sprain is, or what part is injured, the principle of treatment is the same, when we have three indications presented : First, to allay the inflam- matory process ; second, to promote absorption of the decayed fibers ; and third, to hasten the production of new ones. Most authors recommend either local or general depletion by bleeding from one of the large veins near the seat of injury, or from the ju- gular vein of the neck. This, however, I think is now-a-days very SPRAIN OF THE BACK TENDONS. 549 wisely dispensed with, and in my opinion is altogether unnecessary. The bowels must be freely opened, and kept open by laxative and easily digested food, such as bran mash, linseed tea, roots, etc. The continued application of heat or cold to the parts aids greatly in checking the inflammatory action. If pain and swelling are ex- cessive, hot fomentations continued for an hour or two, alternated with cold water, will be found to give most relief (For particulars in fomenting, see " Fomentation.") Gentle and equable pressure, by means of a judiciously applied bandage, is very beneficial in sprains of the leg. Rest must be given from the first, and the pa- tient must be turned into a loose box. Having by these means succeeded in subduing the in- flammation, one or two applications of an absorb- ing blister will generally remove any enlargement that may remain. Should the thickening and lameness prove obstinate, the firing-iron may be resorted to. (For an explanation of the method of using this, see "Firing in Spavins.") Sprain of the Back Tendons. Should a horse, when traveling or running with much force, step on a hub or stone in a way to bring an uneven strain upon one or more of the ligaments or tendons of a limb, there is lia- ble to be caused such a severe strain as to re- sult in serious lameness and injury, which, if neglected or not treated properly, often leads to permanent lameness and injury of the horse This is especially common in sprain of the back tendons. The principal seat of strain in the fore limb is in the tendons at the back part of the leg, usually called sprain of the back tendons, or back sinews. As these tendons (flexor perforans and perforatus) are the chief agents in pro- ducing the motions of the limbs, act- ing like levers over the pulley-like surfaces on the ends of the bones in their passage down to the foot, they are consequently very lia- ble to be overstretched and strained, sometimes in a very slight de- FiG. 854. — The Leg with Skin Removed, Showing Arteries. See Plates in Part on Shoeing. 550 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. gree, and sometimes to a considerable extent. It may be necessary here to notice the arrangement of these two ten- dons. The muscles (perforans and per- foratus) arise from below the elbow-joint, pass down through a theca at the back of the knee ; below the knee they be- come tendinous ; the first is one of great strength, nearly round, and is inclosed in the other, which forms what is termed a sheath for it ; half-way down the cannon, the perforans is joined by a strong liga- ment (the metacarpal) ; the two tendons pass down together through a sheath formed for them at the back of the fet- lock ; the latter splits into two divisions, having the perforans passing between them ; they are inserted one into each side of the lower pastern bone (or corona), the perforans, passing down, is inserted into the sole of the coffin-bone, just in front of the navicular joint, over which it passes. A good illustration of these different parts is given in Fig. 855. Fig. 856 will be found an especially fine illustration of the perforans and perforatus tendons above the fetlock, an explanation of which is i included. A point here is ver nicely explained by White, who says : — Between these two tendons there are in two parts thin vascular membranes by which they are joined together; these membranes appear to serve as bridles, allowing the perforans tendon to move a little way within the per foratus, and then preventing anj' fur- ther motion. The situation of those membranes is about midway in the Fig. 855. — Tendons and Ligaments of the Fore Legs. A. flexor perforatus; B. flexor perforans; C metacarpal ligament ; D. superior sesamoidal lig- ament ; d. Bifurcation of the sesamoidal liga- ment; y. Continuation forward of branch of the sesamoidal ligament; F. continuation of the flexor perforans tendon, afterward inserted into the lower side of the os pedis; E. extensor tendon; M. great metacarpal, or cannon shank bone; S. splint bone. SPRAIN OF THE BACK TENDONS. 551 L_.- pastern. If the coffin joint happens to be extended in a way the animal was not prepared for, iioth these membranes are ruptured. The consequence is an effusion of blood between the two tendons, where- _ by all motion between them would be ef- fectually prevented, were the animal left to obey his own instinctive feelings. In most of the so-called cases of clap, or sprain of the back tendons, the ligament, and not the tendons, is the seat of the injury. Catises. — Whatever tends to throw unusual stress upon these parts may produce it, such as gal- loping on uneven ground, allowing the hoofs to grow too long, thereby increasing the leverage on the ten- don ; sometimes it occurs in leap- ing, often while jumping around in play. Symptoms. — The animal is very lame, the part is hot, swollen, and tender ; the limb is held forward, so as to relax the part ; in some cases he can hardly touch the ground. On taking up the foot and pinching with the fingers, he evinces the pain he feels. If the outer tendon (perforatus) is in- jured, we have a bulging out be- hind, interrupting the evenness of the line which characterizes the tendons. If the perforans, it is felt A. the outside nerve, or that part of it where the branch H communicates; B. the sus- pensory hgament; C. the great hgament of the back sinew ; D. the two back sinews, or flexor tendons; E. E. the exterior tendon; F. the can' non, or shank bone; G. the sphnt bone; H. the back sinews and their great suspensory ligament, apparently joined together; this, however, is not the case ; it incorporates only with the per- forans tendon, marked figure 2, and so inti- j.^^^ mately that they form one and the same substance at the part marked by the letter i ; the perforatus, marked figure 3, forms i perforans as already described in the article on " Strains; " 5, the fetlock-joint. 856. — Flexor Tendon, etc. sheath for the 552 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. between the ligament and the perforatus ; and if the metacarpal ligament, as is most generally the case, it can be felt between the bone and the tendon. Treatment. — As before stated, the first condition of cure is rest. The animal must be turned into a loose box, and if the injury is severe, the swollen limb must be well fomented with hot water ; cold may be preferable, if slight. This must kept up for more than an hour, when the following cooling lotion may be well rubbed in, and a thick woolen bandage applied, well saturated with it, and kept wet with cold water : — Fig. 857.— Showing the Back Fig. 858.— Showing Fig. 859.— Enlargement Tendons Considerably Thick- the Effect of Hard of the Tendons from ened in Consequence of Driving. Interfering or Repeated Injury or Banging. Strain. Niter (saltpeter) 2 oz. Sal-ammoniac 3 oz. Common salt. . 4 oz. Spring water. 1 pt. Or, the following : — Saltpeter 4 oz. Sugar of lead 1 oz. Muriate of amrionia 1 oz. Common salt 1 pt. Cold water 2 gal. Perhaps the simplest and best home treatment would be about as follows : — Make a bag as long as the limb — an old trouser's leg of good size, sufficiently long to extend from the hoof to above the knee, would be the thing. Tie a string rather loosely around the foot be- SFBAIiV OF THE BACK TENDONS. 553 low the fetlock. To keep it in place, secure a wide tape or strip of cloth to the upper edge of the bag, pass it over the shoulder, and fasten to the opposite edge ; next take bran, to which add a little salt, and pour on it as much boiling water as will bring it to a thin consistence. While hot as the horse can bear, fill the bag with it. This will form a poultice around the part, and keep it moist and sweating. It can be kept hot by pouring on hot water occasionally, and should be renewed, if necessary, in twenty-four hours, and so continued until the inflammation subsides. In all cases of severe sprain, a purgative should be given ; it reduces the fever, and acts as a counter-irritant. In any event give opening, easily digested food. Having in this way reduced the inflammation, if the swelling still remains, apply a good strong liniment or blister. The binio- dide of mercury ointment is best in these cases, and should be repeated : — Biniodide of mercury 1 J dr. Lard 1 oz. A run at pasture will generally complete the cure. Sometimes, by repeated sprains, the tendons become considerably thickened (as shown in Fig. 857), in which case firing is preferable. Sometimes, from repeated sprains, the tendons become contracted, causing the animal to go on his toe ; in these cases, the operation of tenotomy, or cutting the tendons, is advisable. The following treatment for sprains, which is given for insertion by a leading practitioner, will be found good : — First wash with very hot water five or ten minutes at a time, then apply the following mixture : — Tincture opium 2 oz. Chloroform 1 oz. Fluid extract aconite .' 1 oz. Soap liniment 7i oz. To be applied two or three tiines a day after bathing the parts with hot water. If constipated and feverish, a slight purging ball should be given. If the case has run two or three days, and is assuming a sub- acute stage, then stimulating liniment must be used. The follow- ing may be used : — Aqua ammonia : . , 2 oz. Spirits of camphor 2J oz. Alcohol Tj oz. To be rubbed on two or three times a day until the skin be- comes sore. 554 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Breaking Down. The suspensory ligament is one of the strongest in the body ; it is placed immediately behind the cannon-bone, from the head of which it rises ; passing down, it divides, one division going to each of the small bones at the back of the fetlock (ossa sesamoides). (See Fig. 855.) This ligament is the great main-stay of the fetlock joint, and sustains the most of the weight at this part, consequently we frequently find it snaps asunder under the great weight thrown upon it in leaping, galloping, etc. It is sometimes broken above the division ; but more commonly, one or both bifurcations are torn. Causes. — Violent exertion, or sudden jerks, as is the case in leaping, galloping, or jumping from a hight. Symptoms. — It is sometimes mistaken for rupture of the flexor Fig. 8G(). — Method of Applying the Bandage. Fig. )S(il. — Showing Ihe Leg Bandaged. tendons ; but this is so improbable an occurrence, that we are almost skeptical of its occurrence at all. If it does occur, it is ex- tremely rare. In rupture of the ligaments, the fetlock descends to the ground ; but when raised, the animal can flex the foot, which he could not do were the tendons ruptured. It usually occurs near the sesamoides, when we have swelling, heat, and pain. Treatment. — Slinging is almost indispensable to keep the limb steady. Splints and bandages should be judiciously applied, and a high-heeled shoe put on so as to keep the parts hi situ; and the inflammation must be regulated by the constant application of cold, laxative medicine, and cooling, easily digested food, sparingly SPKAIiV OF THE FETLOCK. 555 supplied, when reunion will take place, but a permanent thickening is generally left. When the animal is able to use the limb, the slings and splints may be dispensed with, and it may be fired or blistered to consolidate the new fi- bers, and form a permanent bandage to the part. The horse can never afterward be passed as sound, nor will he stand much hard work. Sprain of the Fetlock. The ligaments of the fetlock joint are sometimes sprained, giving rise to swelling of the joint, pain, and lameness. Its na- ture, causes, symp- toms, and treat- ment differ so little from those of other parts that it is only necessary to state that the treatment is the same. But suppose we have a strain of the extensor tendon or of the ligaments of the fetlock joint, and the horse must be moved. In that case it would be necessary to apply a woolen bandage over the part carefully, drawingit tightly, and holding it in place by sewing it on. But as soon as the stable is reached, F this bandage must be taken off, and a loose one put on. Ifthere is notvery much inflammation, simply lameness and weakness, good treat- ment would be keeping the bandage thoroughly wet with hot vin- egar and salt, by pouring it on. In one instance, one of my horses, Turco, was so seriously sprained that he could scarcely step, the Pig. 802. -Turco's Leg as it Knuckled Forward. Showing Tendons and Ligaments of tlie Hind Leg. 656 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. joint knuckling forward as shown in Fig. 862. It was absolutely necessary to drive him eight or ten miles. By bandaging the leg tightly as described, he went along quite well ; but as soon as the stable was reached, this bandage was taken off, and a loose one put on, which was kept wet as explained ; and being compelled to drive him every day, this treatment was repeated ; and though he was driven over one hundred miles in two weeks, he was at the end of that time entirely over the effects of the sprain. At another time, when in Maine, Tommy sprained the tendons of one of his forward legs so seriously that he could scarcely step. We simply raised the heel-calks of his shoe, rounded the toe, and bandaged the parts loosely, and kept wet as explained. Next morning the ankle was tightly bandaged, when he was able to do considerable work in the ring, and walk through to the next town, ten miles. This course was repeated, and at the expiration of about two weeks, he was all right, though in the time driven about one hundred miles. Sprain of the Perforans Tendon, or Naviculak- JoiNT Lameness. The symptoms are very fully explained under that head, page 432, but I would Here state again, that in an acute stage, the prin- ciple is rest, with hot fomentations or cooling applications ; next aiding mobility of the parts involved to prevent irritation, by the construction of the shoe, etc., as explained in " Shoeing," Figs. 562-576. Shoulder Lamenes.s. This is not very common, but is liable to happen from the limb slipping sideways while running in a pasture, or slipping accidentally on a wet plank, or ice, etc. To guard against error in diagnosing affections of the shoulder, it must borne in mind that all muscular tissue is apt to waste if it is deprived of its usual amount of exercise, as we frequently see in the shoulder, the shoulder shrinking on one or both sides, while the real seat of the disease is in the feet ; therefore it is very necessary to be able to distinguish shoulder lameness from many other affec- tion with which it is apt to be confounded. Many horse doctors and those about horses are apt to attribute every lameness they do not understand, and whose seat is not self-evident, to an affection of the shoulder. We have seldom any recognizable tumefaction, nor much heat, unless it be recent and violent. When the horse has strained the SHOULDER LAMEXESS. 557 shoulder, the limb is brought forward with a peculiar dragging mo- tion, as shown in Fig. 864 ; whereas if the trouble is in the foot, the limb will be raised and brought forward without much difficulty, but put down tenderly to lighten the concussion. While standing, Fis. 864. — As a Horse will Travel with Lame Shoulder. Fig. 865.— Dislribution of Capillaries in Muscle. the joints will be somewhat relaxed, the heel raised, with the toe resting upon the ground. In shoulder lameness, the head will be carried low, the limb brought forward with a good deal of difficulty and pain, and without ability to bring it in front of the other. Treatment. — Give a dose of physic, foment the shoulder and inside of the arm close to the chest with hot water, which is to be continued for at least one hour, and to be repeated as long as there is inflamma- tion ; give fever medicine three times a day ; give food of a light, opening nature, such as grass, bran mashes, etc., and keep him quiet in a box stall until the lameness disappears. One of the liniments for sprains, etc., may be used after the acute stage passes off This is about all that can be done, though some bleed from the inner plate vein during the acute stage. This method is Fig. 866.— Method of Putting on Bandage. not now often practiced, however. When the case becomes chronic, blisters and setons may be employed with good success. 558 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Liniment for Shoulder Lameness. Aqua ammonia 2 oz. Spirits of camphor 2.V oz. Rectified spirits of vini 7^ oz. First, foment the part with hot water ; then rub as near dry as possi- ir'VV^' ^ \\^\ ^ ble, and apply the liniment twice a day until the skin is quite sore, and iK'l'' !^* . '>!iVv then stop for a few days ; if the lame- /I 'r'»f ^ y^^Skj ness is not gone by this time, renew ffl^ ''l^Ml^j?^^^ the treatment as before. WA' ' ' v^^^^ Jf ' ^ ■■ Sweeney. Tliis is a sprain of the muscle which fills up /SlJSall the posterior cavity on the outer side of the shoulder joint (outer tubercle of the head of the humerous). It occurs mainly in young horses when first put to plow, or in others go- ing on uneven ground, and stepping unexpect- edly into holes. In the endeavor to recover the equilibrium on stepjiing into a furrow or hole, this muscle which forms the outer sup- port of the joint is injured, and there results VMTWJ heat, swelling, and tenderness on the outside Pp^^ of the joint, and a most characteristic gait. Mii I The horse may walk, or even trot, without Il//I much apparent lameness ; but standing directly in front of him the affected shoulder is seen to roll outward from the body to a far greater ex- tent than the sound one. Soon the muscle be- !/*ifS gins to waste rapidly, and in bad cases the '':;~.,^ ii^^if shoulder-blade may be denuded until it appears to be covered by nothing but skin. — Law. » 1 ,1 ct..- n ri. • Fig. 867. — Internal Aspect of the A badlv fittinsj collar often ^ives *^ . " , . , Left Fore Leg. rise to It. A prominent cause also is some injury to the foot, which would prev^ent a proper use of the muscles of the shoulder, and thereby cause an atrophied, or wasted, condition of them. So that when there is wasting of the part, the foot should be carefully examined to see if there is any cause for it, and if so, removing the cause will of itself be sufficient to make a cure. SymptoiHs. — At first, though it is seldom noticed, the muscles swell up, are hot and tender ; in the course of a fen' days, the swell- ing has disappeared, and the muscles are becoming fast absorbed. In many cases this goes on till the bone can be felt. There is little HIP LAMENESS. 559' or no pain on pressure in this stage, and no positive lameness ; but there is a peculiar rotary motion of the limb, from the other muscles having no counter-balancing power. This is sometimes mistaken by non-professional men for dislocation of the shoulder joint. This, however, cannot occur, unless it is accompanied by severe laceration, or even fracture. Treatment. — In the first instance, rest and hot fomentations are indicated, which, as the process of reproduction begins, should be followed by stimulant embrocations or mild blisters, frequently re- peated, with moderate walking exercise. In this case, we must trust more to nature than medicine ; and in time the muscles will be reproduced, and by gentle work and well-fitting harness he will be- come as sound as ever. Many do nothing for them, but turn them to pasture, and in most cases they come up all right. The simplest and most effective treatment for filling up the shoulder is the rubbing on thoroughly with the hand of soft soap, to which a little salt has been added. This do four or five times in the course of a week. This simple remedy, which is very effectual for this purpose, has been kept as a great secret by a leading horseman in Toledo, Ohio, who has repeatedly sold it for five dollars, first showing its effect in pj^ filling up the shoulder, when he could easily sell the prescription. Hip Lameness 1. — An Ideal Representation of the Shoulder with Sweeney. Sprain of the whirl, or round bone, as it is commonly called, consists of a sprain of the round ligament of the femur, which holds the ball in the socket. Sometimes it is almost torn asunder ; but so strong is this articulation, that dislocation cannot occur, except as an accompaniment of fracture. Symptoms. — Very seldom any external swelling unless it is very severe, and the muscles surrounding the joint are involved ; whert by making him stand square on his hind legs, and standing directly behind him, and comparing one hip with the other, any enlargement can be easily df^tected. Sometimes we have heat and tenderness x r,m /;/,VAM,S'A',S' Aj\'/> 'I'IIKII! T It K .\T M ICNT . I'm Mill) Uiiii|) MiiHiihtH ul (hit Hl|i iiiul Thl||li. lull ill 1 110'. I I .v.v. I lii',f ,11 1- j1)',( III , ( )iii ( li.ii ,u III i-.l 11 •.yiii|)1i)iii is •il iniilli!; ■Jinil, IIm' l.iliir Ic;; !•, iinl liiniii'lil Mi (.11 loivv.iicl .r, t lie 111 III I (iiir, .11 II I III- (Il ii|)', nil 1 1 1. 1 1 (|il,il |i I . 'I III- 1 illijiill III I 111- 1' I III .11 r; iii.i.-.liiiir., ;ri il. |>.i''"i"i "VII I 111 I i m li.iiilii , i. 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In 1 In |,,ii I .■•mt Iwii nl lliii 1 I inn -. .1 il.i\', u lin li .Imiilil III- 1 nil I I II in I I .III linn I nl lllnl i' i .11 II linn , .illi'i II. ill il wil II lln |iniii m;< mi nl I nlil w .ill I Winn 111! .11 nil- ■.l.n'.i- Ililt^M ". nil, 1 ll|> I 111 ll.lll 1 In M-|\' llnlll .1 larc.i- Mii'l.ii !■ 1 1 II nl I wi K'l- nil III ', ill lli.lllll'll-l n\ I I lln ji.ll I , .1111 I .|||{>I \ .1 .ll.il |i llll'.ll-l ; .1 111 111 I 1 nllllll inn nl I nimlrl II I II .il Inn Will III I Ini 1 il li\' .i|i|il\'iii{; .il I In- '..mil- linn I w n •,r| i nr., wliii Ii .in- to i)C rxlcinli il mil II i lln ,1. in .il I six iiu:!u-s cMi II, ' I liiiii', nl I In Im m as ■ In i\\ II in I' l|;. KVH. ( In n -.ini i.il in •,liin linii, M-i- "Srlmr,,") II iniil l.r, I 1 |ir.il I In Ml'. I n '. Kn n\'ri \- in, II. illy I .ll-.r-. |il.n 1 III 111 nil i iiir In I w n w i-rk', ; Inil i-; -,niiii I inn '. .i \ri)' m rimi-. I.mirin-'.'., ,iinl inn-. I In- .il I iinliil tc I Inn iiii|;lil\' .i ml |ii iiiii{il ly . I'm N70 Sotont. hWncKi.ixc i)V Ki; 'm 'I'Ik- rollowin;; is llw I 1 1 .il imiil ailvi'.cil \ty very al)lc |)r,u:ti- lioncrs ; Cilv(! II liixiiUvi^ iukI ii|i|ily liiil, rdiiiiMiliilloiiK to Uiit |iiirl Iwn or l.liii'i! lliiiim it (lay. Ariel i^acli foMii'jiliiliori i>|>|ily a Klroiif^ Hl.liiitiliillM^ lliiiriirnl, CoiiiImik^ UiIm Iri'itliMi'iil. until till: kUIii In hoi'c, Ukmi vMxim Mn- Ircalniiiil, uiiil ii|<|ily l.ln; f'olle knuckled forward. Veterinarians differ as t(> tlu; real nature of this condition, or as ttj the part really at fault. Some suppose that it is from " a relaxed and lenj(thene(l state f>f the ifxtensor muscles ;" others "of the lif;amentous tissue at the anterior ]iarl of liie joint ; " others " an inordinate contrat:li(Hi of the flexors, to sucii a de^jree that the erpiilibrium of the flexors and extensors is destroyed." iJissection, however, fails to confirm these 562 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. views. It appears to us to depend on contraction of the ligaments at the back of the joint. Causes. — It is generally caused by too hard work when young, particularly continued road-work, which causes the joints to start forward, as shown in Figs. 872, 873. Symptoms. — It requires but to be seen to be recognized. Instead of the beautiful, symmet- rical form of the limb, the joint is thrown for- ward, throwing the shank-bone more oblique and the pastern-bone more straight, giving the animal a jaded, tottering appearance. Trcatrncnt. — Some blister, or fire and blister ; but we think this does no good whatever. All we can do is to give rest ; leave the rest to nature. Turn him into a large loose box or small paddock, and feed him well, and it is as- tonishing how the patient will sometimes im- prove. Drs. Hamill and Meyer treat ordinary cases of sprung knees with very marked success, by lowering the heels and lengthening out the toes somewhat ; this can be done both by paring the heels down some, and using thin-heeled shoes ; then rubbing on the legs once or twice a day alcohol, or any good stimulant. The case seems to improve even under moderate work. Very bad cases are incurable. Broken Knees, or Open Joint. It is a very common occurrence in the horse, generally arising from accidents, kicks, blows, stabs, etc. It is most com- mon in the knee and hock ; but all the joints of the limbs are liable to be punc- tured or laid open by some accident or injury. Open joints are generally divided into lacerated and punctured. In the former we have the skin, ligaments, etc., cut through, and the joint laid open, as is often seen in the knee. In the latter we have merely a small opening (it may be only sufficient to admit the probe) into the joint, from which trickles the sj'novia, or joint-oil. Fig. 872. — An Ordinary Case of Sprung Knees. Pio. 873. BROKEN KNEES, OR OPEN JOINT. 563 All cases are alike dangerous, and are characterized by the same general symptoms, and are liable to be attended by the same consequences. They differ only in degree, according to the im- portance and extent of the cavity exposed. Causes. — The causes of open joint are almost invariably ex- ternal injury — in the knee from falling. The horse stumbles ; falls upon his knees ; and should the ground happen to be gravelly, hard, or stony, the knees are liable to be lacerated or cut through. In other joints the injury is usually caused by being accidentally stabbed or cut. Symptoms. — In giving an opinion in these cases, we must bear in mind that the joint is not always open, although we have a dis- charge of synovia from the wound ; we may have it from the theca. or sheath, of some tendon, and it requires close examination in some cases to say which it comes from. What we imply by the term open Joint, is where the skin, ligaments, tendons, etc., have been cut through, and the articulation laid open. In the first place, the an- imal is very lame. On ex- amining the wound with the Fig. 87.5— The Same with probe or finger, it is found "^ir Clipped from Edges ..,,.. ^ of Wound, to penetrate the jomt ; we have a clear, oily fluid, which is very smooth and slippery to the touch. The discharge may be very trifling, still it is not the less dangerous. In most cases we have symptomatic fever, which often runs so high as to cut the animal off. It is recognized by the quick pulse, hot mouth, irregular heat of the surface, costive bowels, and the excruciating pain the animal evinces. Treatment. — This is the most important part of the subject. In the first place, the animal must be removed to a comfortable stall or loose box with a high roof, and well ventilated ; he must at once be placed in slings, which should be gradually tightened until his toes barely touch the ground. The wound must be washed out with tepid water, all gravel or dirt removed, and the real extent of the injury ascertained. The limb must then be placed in splints, weJl padded, and held together by leather straps. A very convenient plan for the knee is to take Fig. 874.— Broken Knees. 56i DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. three slips of wood, about three inches wide, and half an inch thick, reaching from the elbow to the foot, with the edges beveled and well padded, and nailed together with three straps, which buckle in front. This, placed one at each side, and one behind, prevents flexion or extension of the joint entirely, and leaves it open to be dressed at pleasure, without undoing tlie splints. A large poultice of linseed or oatmeal should be applied cold, and continued until the granulations spring up from the bottom to close the wound. This simple plan of treatment is infinitely more soothing, and at the same time more successful, than the former methods of plastering it up with lime, flour, powdered blue-stone, oxide of zinc, white vitriol, etc. To some, these may seem very con- venient and effectual methods of stopping the discharge, and, doubtless, in some cases they may succeed if circumstances are favorable ; but in many cases when an artificial plug is thus formed, it merely plugs it up for a little time. By and by, ulceration of the skin occurs, the plug falls out before the internal parts have healed, and the consequence is, that we have a far larger and more danger- ous wound than before. In changing the poultice, be sure not to remove any of the coagula of synovia that may have formed around the opening. The poultice must be simply removed and changed, without washing the wound. When the granulations become extuberant, they can be regu- lated by squeezing a sponge of cold water over it, or dust on a little oxide of zinc. Nothing, however, must be injected into the wound, as is sometimes done. Punctured wounds of joints must be treated on the same principle ; the joint must be kept perfectly still, and the granulations encouraged by poultices, etc. Very often there are wounds in front of the knees, usually caused by falling or striking against some hard object, which may be more or less severe, according to circumstances. In a simple case of abrasion, but little if any treatment will be necessary ; if much bruised, with skin broken, tie short to a high rack to prevent lying down. Bandage the part tightly, and keep wet with a mild astringent, such as — Sugar of lead J oz. Carbolic acid .50 or 60 drops. ' Water IJ to 2 qts. Keep the horse quiet until the inflammation is subdued. The best lotion in my judgment for these bruises and superficial cuts of the skin, is calendula. It has the best effect in reducing in- FRACTURES. oG5 flammation of a bruise and cut of this kind of anything I know of. (See Calendula in list of medicines used.) Fractures. Owing to the difficulty experienced in keeping the bones of the leg of the horse in place to enable their reunion, with the expense and trouble involved, in addition to the fact that if even treated suc- cessfully the horse is supposed to be of but little value afterward, there is but little encouragement given by veterinary authorities for the successful treatment of such cases. But the success of Dr. Mc Beth, of Battle Creek, Mich., in treating ordinary fractures, has been so marked, and by such simple treatment, too, which is, I believe, peculiar to himself, not being, so far as I know, laid down in veter- inary works, that I am induced to give his method of treatment, which he kindly explained to me with permission to publish, as it may serve to occasionally save a valuable horse. He tells me that within the palst two years he has treated three cases with perfect success. The first, a yearling, with a split of the ossafraginis, or short coronary bone of the fore leg. The second, a four-year-old, a fracture three inches above the fetlock joint of the off hind leg. Third, an oblique fracture, involving the fetlock joint one inch above the joint of the fore leg of a seven-year-old. His method of treatment is as follows : — After providing himself with the best quality of plaster-of- Paris, he prepares from three to four splints made from strips of hickory wood, about an inch and a half in width and a fourth of an inch thick, of suitable length, or pieces of band iron about one eighth of an inch in thickness, with the ends thinned down some- what, and if necessary, the edges and the bar bent to fit the form of the part ; he next provides bandages of suitable strips of cotton cloth, about three inches and a half in width. While the horse is standing naturally, the limb is brought forward a little, resting easily and naturally upon the ground, when the bones are held gently in a proper position. The part is first covered with a bandage of one thickness of the cloth ; next a little of the plaster, after being prepared, is put on the cloth under the splints, so as to level off the inequalities of the surface, and give an even bearing to the splints. The bandage is now started from the bottom, with the aid of an as- sistant ; a little of the plaster is laid on quickly with the knife, in a layer of from one fourth to three eighths of an inch thick, when the bandage is brought quickly over it, and drawn tight enough to cause the water to ooze through the cloth ; this is continued, the ■,C>C, DISEASES AND THEIR TREAT MEXT. bandage being lapped about one half of an inch, until carried be- yond the edges of the splints, when the process is reversed to the bottom, and then again to the top, making in all three layers, which forms a strong, unyielding cast about an inch or a little more thick around the part, when the horse is given freedom to take care of liimself in a large, comfortable stall. An important condijtion of success is in the preparation of the piaster. First, it should be of the very best quality; next, as the plaster will set very quickly, not more than enough for one layer should be prepared or attempted to be put on at a time. Put in a tin dish about as much plaster as will be necessary for one coat Or layer over the part. Pour on sufficient water to wet it well, and stir thoroughly for one minute. Being all ready, instantly com- mence putting on, laying on as stated, until the plaster becomes too hard, when make another batch, and continue the process, and when that is used, making more, and continuing until finished. If the skin is broken, or there is a serious cut, as the splints are being put on, avoid covering the spot with wood or iron, and in the course of from six to ten hours, a hole should be made through the plaster to it, when it is to be treated as an ordinary wound. The point is to make the casing so long and tight as to thoroughly support the limb, without being too heavy or clumsy, yet not to ob- struct the circulation. In each of the cases referred to, there was no swelling or other trouble, and consequently no after treatment. The horse was let alone, and in about eight weeks the cast was taken' off, when there was found to be a complete union of the parts without any notice- able deformity. Dr. Mc Beth tells me this method of management is original with himself so far as he knows, and certainly its simplicity in con- nection with his success, entitles him to considerable credit. Plaster has been employed, I understand, for this purpose, but was put on in such a way as to form a mass excessively heavy and clumsy, and consequently not favorable to success. Of course, when such an accident occurs, if a practitioner is available, he should be at once called in. The treatment is included mainly for the benefit of practitioners. Dislocation of the Patella, or " Stifle." ' This is most common in colts, from the outer condyle not being fully developed, allowing the patella to glide off and on at every step. STIFLE-JOIXT LA MEiVESS. 567 Causes. — It occurs generally in young animals, and is most com- mon on hilly pasture where the soil is gravelly ; the feet becoming worn and tender, causes him to relax the stifle in walking, when the patella is apt to slide off. It sometimes occurs from external vio- lence, or from interstitial absorption of the condyle. Symptoms. — The limb is extended backward, the foot is bent up, and the animal drags the limb as if it were cramped and he was unable to draw it forward. Cramp of the muscles of the legs is not unfre- quently mistaken for dislocation of the patella. But cramp is easily known from the suddenness of the attack, from there being no enlarge- ment of the stifle, and from the bending up of the foot. Treatment. — It must be returned to its place as soon as possible, which can be easily done in the following way : Make one or two assistants pull the foot for- ward, while you push the stifle back, and at the same time push the patella for- ward, when it will slip into its place, and the animal will walk off almost as sound as if nothing had happened. If it is fol- lowed by lameness or swelling about the joint, rest must be given, and to prevent its recurrence, the stifle may be blistered. A very good plan with colts, in which it frequently occurs, is to remove the patient to a loose box, with a level, even floor ; and to put a shoe on, with a tip projecting in front about two or three inches, slightly turned up, which will keep the muscles at- tached to it on the stretch, and so prevent its slipping out again. This may be worn for one or two months, as required. A good deal of a secret in relieving a horse when stifled, is to take short hold of the bridle or halter, so as to throw the head up with a jerking motion, and quickly force the horse back upon his heels. It is rarely the peculiar exertion will not bring the patella back into place ; when, by walking the horse back and forth a little, he will be found all rigrht. Fki. 870.— The Horse as he Usu- ally Appears when Stifled. Stifle-joint Lameness. Besides dislocation of the patella, or knee-cap, from laceration or extension of the lateral ligaments, we frequently find the stifle joint itself diseased. The condyles may be diseased, or the semi- lunar cartilages may be displaced. Sometimes the tendinous origin 568 DISEASES AND THEIR TEEATMEXT. of the flexor metatarsimagnus (the principal muscle in bending the hock joint) is torn or strained. This is always a serious lameness, owing to the flexibility of the part involved. Causes. — The causes are the same as in other joint-slips, blows, wrenches, etc. Sympto7iis. — In moving, the limb is held as straight as possible ; it is moved of a piece, as it were, the stifle is turned outward at every step, and the leg is swung around, and placed farther forward than in hip lameness. In most cases we have heat and swelling. If made to stand on the limb, the capsular swelling can be felt, and pain is evinced on pressure. Treatment. — Rest must be given. If the cartilages are dis- placed, they must be replaced by careful manipulation ; hot fomen- tations, or continued cold applications, must be applied ; and in the latter stages, repeated blisters or setons should be resorted to. CUTS OR WOUNDS. In ordinary cases they are easily managed. All that is neces- Fig. 877. — Syringe (or Washing out Wounds. sary to do is to clip the hair from the edges of the wound, remove any hair or dirt from it by sponging the part with warm water, and dress it with any of the healing preparations or digestives hereafter given, which will cause a secretion of yellow matter, and a healthy granulating process. Each day following, to be cleansed by spong- ing out with a lather made of castile soap and warm water, and the application of the medicine repeated. In a very serious, deep, or contused wound, if any large blood vessels are severed, they should be tied up. Arteries will throw the blood out in jets, and veins in a steady stream. If an artery is cut, it must be stopped promptly ; if it cannot be tied up, it can usually be stopped by touching it with a hot iron, or applying any good styptic. (See " Styptics.") Simply covering over with cobwebs will usually answer a good purpose. Clip the hair from the edges, also any bits of loose skin which would be liable to slough off; but it is always advisable to save every bit of skin that can be kept alive ;. CUTS on WOUNDS. 569 the part to be sponged out daily, and the dressing repeated. The injury will heal from the bottom, gradually filling up, by what is termed a granulating process. If there is serious inflammation, swelling, and pain, poultice ; but if poultices cannot be used to ad- vantage, or if pain and swelling are very severe, hot fomentations must be applied and continued without intermission until it sub- sides ; then dress daily as directed. Care must also be taken to keep the horse quiet in a comfortable stall, free from the annoyance of flies, and fed with easily digested, laxative food ; if there is much tendency to fever, give a small dose of physic. If the cut or wound is deep, dress with a tent, which is simply a wad of tow dipped in digestive ointment, which will be referred to farther on ; the cavity is not to be filled with the tent, but only the bottom, and then the wound will heal up as it ought ; if the wound is merely syringed out, or dressed superficially, it is liable to close over at the sur- face, and appear healed, while at the bottom the matter is spreading and burrowing, form- ing a sinus; in case there is too rapid granulation, or proud flesh, check it by touching with a little caustic. When the wound fills up, and there is not skin enough to cover it, dusting over it a little of the magic healing powder, or any of the astringents given, will cicatrize it quickly. If a wound is in- dolent, or does not seem to granulate, simply use a stronger stimu- lant ; if serious, use a caustic, which will remove the unhealthy parts, and set up a healthy condition of granulation. A very good simple stimulant to rouse an indolent ulcer to action, is an ounce of blue vitriol, pulverized, to a pint of water ; and for a simple healing or granulating effect, a lighter preparation, or about 2 drachms to a pint of water ; to be used as a dressing once a day. If the wound is deep so as to make a pouch of accumulated matter, it must be syringed out from the bottom every day, or better, a dependent opening made from the bottom, and kept open by a piece of tape or string passed through it, to let the matter pass off For deep, incised wounds, from pitch-fork, etc., the following is. claimed to be excellent : — Fig. 878— Severe Lacerated Wound. Fig. 879.— Incised Wound. 570 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. Saltpeter 1 lb. Water 1 gal. Best whisky 1 qt. Inject into the wound with a syringe three times a day until a cure is effected. It prevents inflammation or a tendency to slough- ing or mortification. A gun-shot wound, a foot deep, in the thigh of a horse (the bail could not be found, remaining in the leg) was cured in two weeks by this treatment. In any case of sinuses being formed, they must be opened up to the bottom, and made a sim- ple wound, when it is to be treated as for a wound. Or, the pipes destroyed by a caus- tic introduced and repeated until the unhealthy part is ' sloughed out to the bottom. A Fui. 880.— Small Suture Needles. very simple and effective caustic is that made of blue vitriol, either in strong solution, when it could be injected, or a little powdered fine in the form of a tent, which is simply a little rolled up in a strip of thin paper, twisted at the ends, and pushed to the bottom with a Fio. 881.— Large Suture Needles. probe. Several parcels of this kind, one after another, can be pushed in until the sinuses are filled. In four or five days a core will be formed, which will usually destroy the sinuses to the bottom ; if any remain, it can be ascertained, and the dressing repeated upon that part, until it is all made a clean wound, when it can be treated as before described with a simple digestive preparation. If there is an injury to the bone, ligament, or tendon, and not treated properly, a small sinus is formed, from which matter will ooze. In such a case, a probe must be introduced, and its extent ascertained ; if the sinus extends to the bone, which can be known by the probe striking it, a free opening should be made to the bot- tom, if the situation will admit, the diseased surface scraped off, when it can be treated as before explained, by the use of Friar's balsam, etc. (See " Friar's Balsam."! If all dead matter is not re- CUTS OR WOUNDS. ill moved, sinuses arc almost sure to again form a/"tcr the wound is healed, when the whole treatment must be repeated. Punctured wounds of the tendons, and the capsular ligaments of the joints, which often happen in the hind or fore legs, should be first touched with lunar caustic by making the stick pointed, and in- sert into the wound an eighth of an inch or more ; then if necessary, poultice. This class of wounds, it is found, do not do well by the treatment pursued in other wounds. So long as there is free- dom of the synovial fluid in pasing off or any irritants are permitted to enter such a cavity, they seem only to aggravate it. The point is first to stop this, which can be done best as directed, or by touching lightly with a hot iron ; keep the animal quiet, and use an astringent dressing; if inflamma- tion is excessive, poultice, and there will usually be no trouble. If clean cut, or the wound is of a character that will permit the edges being brought together, as in cases where the skin is widely separated, the point is, after sponging out the part so as to remove any foreign matter, to bring the edges together, and hold them in apposition, if it can be done without the skin sloughing, until heal- ing by first intention takes place ; but this can seldom be accom- Fio. 883. Fid. 884. plished, excepting to a partial degree, in the horse, fm account of the amount of muscular action of the skin; but in many cases it must be resorted to, and will enable holding the edges together suf- ficiently long to allow the wound to heal without leaving much of a scar. The stitches, which should be from three quarters to an inch apart, can be made by means of a curved, flat needle, with silk or linen well waxed. I give illustrations of different methods of do- ing this, which should make it sufficiently plain to be understood. First by stitches ; or by a[)proximating the edges by stitches passed 573 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. around a quill or small piece of round twig placed on each lip of the wound, termed quilled suture. Or, pins may be passed through the lips at suitable distances, and a little tow or thread twisted around each, like the figure 8, as shown ; or the edges may be held to- gether by strips of sticking-plaster. A good adhesive plaster can be made by melting about two parts of Burgundy pitch to one of tallow, and spreading while hot upon cloth ; cut in strips of proper length and breadth, draw the edges of the skin together, and lay on while hot ; the parts to be dressed with a weak solution of carbolic acid, about in the proportion of one part to twenty or thirty parts water. The writer has had excellent success by the use of calen- dula, tincture of the garden flower called marigold. This should be Fig. 885. Fig. 886. diluted with about one fourth to one third of water ; or an)- good antiseptic may be used. The following for this purpose, obtained from one of the best practitioners in the country, is included : — In wounds where the muscles are badly contused and Ulcerated, the following wash has taken the precedence above all other remedies, and by far supercedes car- bolic acid. It acts as an antiseptic, and prevents excessive granulation. Take 1 oz. white vitriol or sulphate of lime, to 16 oz. water. Syringe the parts out well with the lotion, after being well cleansed, twice a day. By taking 1 oz. of white vitriol to 4 oz. of water, and penciled on the parts with a camel's-hair brush two or three times a day, it will cut down the excessive granulations commonly called "proud flesh." For a healing or digestive ointment, the following is unri- valed Palm-oil 2i lbs. Lard .2 lbs. Gum turpentine J lb. Bees-wax \\b. Calamine 1 lb. CUTS AND WOUNDS. 573 Simmer all together over a slow fire, and it will be fit for use. Put a little in the wound once a day. Wash the wound with warm water and castile soap before applying the ointment. This is the favorite prescription of one of the best practitioners in the country, and is among the very best for the cure of cuts, pricks, and incised wounds in the feet, etc., that has ever been used. It sets the wound to running yellow matter quickly, and produces a healthy granulating process. Turpentine and hog's lard, equal parts, simmered together, with a small quantity of powdered verdigris stirred in, is also a fine heal- ing preparation for cuts and wounds. The following is also a fine healing preparation, good for old sores or injuries in the feet, etc. : — Tincture of myrrh 1 oz. Tincture of aloes 2 oz. Water ' 1 pt. To be applied once a day. Healing ointment for cuts, galls, etc. : — Oxide of zinc. ])ulverized fine. 4 dr. Carbolic acid 6 gr. Lard 1 oz. Melt the lard and stir in the zinc. Add the carbolic acid and mix thoroughly. Apply once a da\-. W'ill cause a healthy dis- charge from a foul ulcer. Magic healing powder : — Burnt alum 2 oz. Prepared chalk 1 oz. Pulverized gum camphor 1 dr. Calamine, pulverized 3 dr. Mix, sprinkle on the sore. When a wound will not heal, or there is not skin enough to cover it, dust on a little of this powder, and it will cicatrize it quickly. It is good for galls, saddle wounds, or other parts where the skin is thin or broken, providing there is no inflammation and condition requiring healing astringents. This is the original recipe for the famous magic healing powder, and has often been sold as a great secret, for from ten to twenty-five dollars. A good healing preparation, especially for cuts or incised wounds in the feet : Tar and hog's lard, equal parts, melted to- gether, removed from fire and stirred till cold. The following hoof ointment has been in use in the British army, and used by British farriers with decided success. It is also 57i DISEASES AND TIIETR TREATMENT. highly recommended by our most eminent veterinarians in this country : — Mutton tallow 2 parts. White resin 2 parts. Barba'does tar 2 parts. Yellow beeswax 1 part. Castor-oil 1 part. Melt the resin and the beeswax together, then add the tallow. When melted, add the tar and castor-oil, then remove from the fire a^d stir until cold. This ointment is mostly used for diseased conditions of the feet. It is also effectual for the cure of many of the most trouble- some skin diseases. Blotches and cracks of the heels, to which so many horses are liable in winter, are cured by nothing so readily as by this ointment, well rubbed in, after the parts have been thor- oughly washed with warm water and soap. This ointment is also good for cattle, sheep, and sporting dogs. It is also one of the very best hoof ointments. See " Hoof Ointments." Injuries to the Tongue. The tongue is often injured by violence, pulling it out in giv- ing medicines, either by the restlessness of the animal or clumsiness of the operator, often by being tied up with a "hitch" of the halter in his mouth ; by running back, he sometimes cuts it nearly through. A very common cause also is the use of a severe bit. Treatmefit. — If not too much lacerated, the divided edges should be brought together by the metallic suture, and dressed fre- quently with the following lotion : — Alum 1 oz. Borax U oz. Honey 1 oz. Water 1 qt. If it is nearly cut across, it may be necessary to remove it, and tie the blood-vessels, and dress frequently with the above lotion. Tincture of marigold, called calendula, is so good for bruises and cuts of this character, that I think it worth mentioning. When in Painsville, Ohio, in 1869, a horse was brought in b\- a leading gentleman. He stated that the horse had the habit of pul- ling recklessly ahead against the bit, so much so that he could not be stopped, offering to wager that he would pull six men with the bit. Upon trial, with a breaking bit on, he pulled eight men around the ring. His tongue, becoming caught under the bit, was cut fully half off, and the mouth so badly bruised that it became terribly FISTULA OF THE WITHERS. 575 swollen in a short time. I had a few ounces of calendula with me, which I had obtained to try its effect if opportunity presented. I reduced some of it one third to one half with water, and bathed the mouth and tongue with it thoroughly, repeating two or three times in a couple of hours. Being compelled to leave for Madison the same evening, I di- rected the owner to bathe the part with the preparation four or five times a day at least until my return. I remained at Madison one day, went to Geneva the next, when I again returned to Pains- ville to fill my engagement there, being absent three days. Upon examining the case I was surprised to find all swelling and inflam- mation gone, and the tongue entirely healed. A horse having lost a part of the tongue, cannot drink without plunging the head deep in the water. Cuts or Bruises of the Cheeks. To cure cuts or bruises of the cheeks, use inside — Tannin 1 dr. Bora.x 1 J oz. Water 3 or 4 parts. Swab the inside of the wound once a day. For the outside dressing, use — Tincture myrrh 1 oz. Tincture aloes 2 oz. Water j pt. Mix, and swab the parts once a day. Wash or sponge the parts with warm water and castile soap be- fore each dressing. The writer once had a case of very serious bruising and ulcera- tion of both cheeks of a horse. This treatment was prescribed by Dr. Braily, formerly chief veterinary surgeon in U. S. cavalry serv- ice, and is particularly effective for such injuries. During first or acute stage the persistent use of hot fomenta- tions, alternated with cold, will usually prevent serious trouble. This should not be neglected in any serious case of such injuries. Sore Mouth. The lip3 frequently become sore at the angles of the mouth from cutting or bruising of the bit. Tincture of myrrh and aloes, equal parts, applied to the sore, will soon cause it to heal. Fistula of the Withers. The principle of treating fistula of the withers and poll-evil is 576 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMEXT. the same as for treating other deep-seated ulcers explained ; the only difference is that they are more complicated on account of their location, and require, if anything, more careful treatment. Fistula of the withers is caused by an injury to, or bruising the top of, the first vertebra of the neck, or the ligament covering it. At first there is simply inflammation, with some swelling, making the part very ten- der and sore ; if this is not arrested or dispersed, matter will form and penetrate in different directions around and between the dorsal ver- tebrae, and under the shoulder blade, before it comes to the surface. Con- sequently the fistula may extend to both sides, and if neglected, may seriously involve the bones, in which case the cure will be proportionately more diflficult. At its early stage, when there is simply inflammation and soreness, cooling applications, such as pouring cold water upon it, or di- recting a small stream from a hose against it, and repeating, is good. The part can be kept wet by the following lotion, and then if the inflammation. does not aba^f give a dose of physic and apply an iodine or sweating blister : — » , Saltpeter 4 oz Sugar of lead 1 oz. Muriate of ammonia 1 oz Common salt . . 1 pt. Cold water 2 gal Lay on a few thicknesses of cloth, and keep wet with it. Or the following may be used : — Tincture of arnica 8 oz. Water 1 qt. If, however, matter forms, the sooner the abscess is opened the better. When this is done, the extent of the injury, or of the sinus, if any has formed, must be carefully ascertained with a probe, or by introducing the finger. If this cannot be done to advantage, Fig. 887.— Shoulder in Healthy Con- dition. Fig. 888.— Showing a Bad Case of Fistula. FISTULA OF THE WITHERS. 517 Fistula of the Withers Showing Seton. then the pipes must be destroyed by the introduction of the caustic tents, as explained for treating deep-seated ulcers, under the head of " Cuts or Wounds," so that it will make a clean sore ; then a de- pending opening for the matter to run off must be made by passing a seton from the bottom outward, and sponge or s}-ringe it out once a day with a strong suds of warm water and castile soap. It must be borne in mind that if allowed to heal over with pus, or any un- healthy matter remaining at the bottom, matter will continue to form, and finally break out anew, making, if anything, a more com- plicated condition of ulcer. The point is to see that all foreign mat- ter, sinuses, or unhealthy bone, are thoroughly removed. Sinuses can be removed either by cutting away or sloughing off with caustics as explained, and the diseased bone by scraping. Syringe out the parts well, first with castile soap and water, then with a mild solu- tion of blue vitriol, or carbolic acid and water ; after which treat as be- fore with digestive ointment, tincture of myrrh, etc., as advised under head of " Cuts or Wounds." Soon after leaving the road, my old trained horse Gifford was threatened with fistula of the withers. When able to examine the case, I found there was se- vere inflammation and swelling of the parts, which were so painful the horse would not allow them to be touched. The veterinary surgeon in charge had ap- plied a sharp stimulant, the effect of which was intensi- fied by covering the parts with a couple of thick blankets. The horse was very fat, and there were indications of matter forming, which as the horse was extremely 37 a Fig. 890.— Good Method of Covering the Parts. 578 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. sensitive, would cause great trouble in dressing the parts, which would be necessary for some time. I expressed my fear of this re- sult, but the doctor thought differently, assuring me that he had every reason to believe the inflammation would disperse in time. I left, giving him full liberty to manage the case in his own way, and was gratified on being informed shortly afterward that the inflam- mation was dispersed, and in this way a cure was effected. The se- rious condition of the case, and the success with which it was treated, induced me, for the benefit of my readers, to write to the doctor for the details of the treatment used, which I here include: — The treatment pursued in tbe management of Gifford was as follows: Take two pounds salts, four ounces cream of tartar, mix well, divide into nine doses, and give one dose once a day in his feed. For the local treatment, I took of the tincture of iodine and cantharides, equal parts, and applied to the shoulders every day for ten or twelve days ; after which, I used a stronger solution two or three times a day for three or four weeks. The case was a very bad one. Poll-Evil. Poll-evil is caused by being clubbed back of the ear, striking back of the head against an obstruction, pulling hard upon the halter, or checking the head high, so as to bring undue pressure upon the ligaments of the parts, which will be shown by the in- flammation and swelling over the first vertebra of the neck. If this inflammation is allowed to continue, the posterior part of the occipital bone, and sometimes the atlas bone, also the strong ten- don over them, will be involved, causing serious ulceration of the parts, unless taken in hand promptly. The principle of treatment is precisely that of fistula of the withers. First, cooling applications, a dose of physic, and a cooling, opening diet. A favorite prescription for dispersing inflammation of this kind, used by an old author, is, — Tartaiized antimony, crystallized and finely powdered 2 dr. Olive-oil " " ." 2 dr. Hog's lard 1 oz- Vaseline can be substituted for the oil and lard. When prop- erly rubbed on the part, this will act as a powerful blister, but does not blemish. Should matter form, it must be opened to the bottom ; and, after being cleansed out, ascertain how far the matter has bur- rowed, or the degree to which sinuses have formed. It is not prudent to do any more cutting at this part than simply to make a sufficiently deep incision to give an opening for the matter to pass off. If sinuses have formed, caustic tents are to be introduced, as before explained, until a clean sore is made. If the bones are in- 1 FOLL-EVIL. 679 volved, they must be scraped ; next, a depending opening made by running a seton from the bottom outward. Sometimes the mat- ter extends across the neck to the opposite side. In such a case, the best way is to run a needle across between the muscles, and out on the opposite side, making an outlet on both sides. The after treatment is the same as for fistula of the withers, be- ing careful to remove all foreign growth, or diseased bone. Dress first with slightly caustic solution, then with digestive ointment, as explained. I will include here a remedy ^,^JM*VJ^ii0K^^^ which is claimed to be very ef- e^^^^^^j'\"uif'iiil' K fectual in the cure of poll-evil, fis- tula of the withers, etc. Burn corn- ^^X'^^^^Ki^^Bk cobs, and fill the cavity to the bot- tom with the ashes. It may be necessary to repeat two or three times before a cure is effected. The ease with which this can be ,, _,„^ „, . • , r 1 1 "'■ i^91-— Showing Selon. applied makes it worthy of trial. The following remedy is used by veterinary surgeons of my acquaintance as a remedy of great value, and is kept a secret. The point in using it is, to saturate a little tow with it, and push it to the bottom of the ulcer, so that it will touch every part of it. In about twenty-four hours the diseased part can be separated from the healthy flesh with the finger, from the top to the bottom, and taken out, when it is to be dressed as a simple wound : — Acetate of copper (verdigris) 4 oz. Sulphate of copper (blue vitriol) 4 oz. Alum 4 oz. White precipitate (white mercury) 1 oz. Nitric acid 2 oz. Honey 1 lb. DISEASES OF THE EYE. The eye, or organ of vision, is composed of three tunics, or coats, and of the same number of humors. To the external coat (sclerotic and cornea) it owes its form. The middle tunic is made up of the choroid, or vascular, coat of the iris, or the thin curtain suspended in the aqueous humor, and perforated in the center by an opening called the pupil, or pupillary opening, which in the horse is of an elliptical form ; in man it is round. The inner coat is called the retina, or nervous covering, and is the terminal expansion of the optic nerve. 580 DISEASES AXD TUEIH TREATMENT. The humors are three in number, and they serve as reflectors of the light. They are : the aqueous humor, crystalline lens, and vitreous humor. The last is the largest, and occupies about four fifths of the whole interior of the globe, or eyeball. The appendages Pigs. 892, 893, 894. 895.— Difterent Types of the Eye in Heallh. of the eye are the eyelids, eyelashes, and the membrana nictitans, generally called the haw, which is situated in the inner or lower angle of the eye. It is connected with the different muscles of the eyeball. By the contraction of the straight muscle of the eye, the haw is forced outward, and is one of the beautiful arrangements that nature has provided for the protection of so delicate and sensitive Fk;. S96. a, Optic nerve ; b, Sclerotic ; e, Choroid; d, Retina; e, Cornea; t, Iris; g, li. Ciliary circle; i, Insertion on crystalline lens; j. Crystalline lens; k, Crystalline capsule; 1, Vitreous body; m, n, Anterior and posterior chambers; o, Membrane of aqueous humor; p, p. Tarsi; q, q, Fi- brous membrane of eyelids ; r, Elevator muscle of upper eyelid ; s, s, Orbicularis muscle of eye- lids; t, t, Skin of Eyelids; u, Conjunctiva; v, Membrane covering cornea; x, Posterior rectus muscle ; y, Superior rectus muscle; z, Inferior rectus muscle; w. Orbital membrane. inflam:mation of the eyes. 581 Fig. 897. 1. Sclerotic coat; 2. 4. Veins of the choroid; 3. Ciliary nerves; 5. Ciliary ligament; 6. Iris. an organ. The eye is wholly covered by a thin membrane called the conjunctiva. Simple Ophthalmia, or Inflammation of the Eves, is a common disease among horses, and consists of inflammation of the conjunctival membrane covering the eye. Causes. — It may be produced by many d i ffe rent causes, and perhaps the most common is from the introduc- tion of a foreign substance into the eye, as a hay seed or chaff pickle be- coming lodged in the external covering (cornea), or by direct injury to the eyes, as from the blow of a whip, or something of the kind. When from a blow or direct cause of injury, but one eye will be affected, while if from cold, etc., both eyes will be involved. It is also caused by allowinghorses to stand in foul stables, especially in the summer months, whereby ammoniacal gases are generated, proving very inju- rious to the eyesight. It proceeds from exposure to cold, and is often an accom- paniment of catarrh. Symptoms. — The eyes are weak ; the conjunctiva, or inner lining of the lids, inflamed ; water running from the eyes ; the lids partly, if not wholly closed, ac- cording to the severity of the case. Blu- ish or white film, the result of inflamma- tion, comes over the cornea, extending no deeper than the surface, and may vary from slight cloudiness to entire opacity. Treatment. — This must, in a great measure, depend upon the cause; therefore it is of the greatest importance to make a careful examination, especially if but one eye is affected. Fiu. 898- Capillaries of the Vas cular Layer of the Retina. 582 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. If there is any foreign matter in the eye, remove it promptly, which can be done either by means of a feather or a pair of forceps. The eye should be fomented with tepid or warm water, and the horse kept in a darkened stable or loose box ; next, the eye may be kept constantly moist by means of a sponge or cloth wet with tepid or cold water, and applied over the eye ; or bet- tor, Goulard's extract, used in the proportion of 1 drachm to a pint of water. If accompanied by great pain, the following lotion should be applied around the eye several times a day : — Water}' infusion of opium 1 oz. Goulard's extract 4 oz. Water 13 oz. '^' [^ 'Iw When the cloudiness or opacity of the cornea is tardy in being removed, the eye should be stimulated daily with the following collyr- ium : — Nitrate of silver .5 gr. Fio. SO'J.— Good IVIeth- Distilled water 1 oz. Od of Covering a i u c r ^i. i- i. • ., ^ Apply by means of a feather or camel s-hair the Eye. , '^ •' •' brush. If he must be used or kept in the sunlight, the eye should be kept covered with a blue cloth tied loosely over it. It is very im- portant to attend to any such form of local inflammation promptly ; not only treating properly, but, if possible, taking him from all work, since, if neglected, or the inflammation aggravated by heating the blood, the sight is liable to be destroyed, or run into periodic ophthalmia. It is some- what wonderful how much injury the eye will recover from, when treated with any kind of care. Twenty years ago, when driving horses without reins was regarded as a great feat, in training them to drive in _ „„„ „ ^ ... ,^ . ' ^ Fig. 900.— Reversed View of the this way, it was sometimes necessary to Above. use the whip very severely over the head, when the eye was liable to be struck, and so seriously injured as to close it and make it entirely white from inflammation in a short time. Yet, in every case, by bathing with cold water, keeping in a dark place, and if moved, keeping the eye covered with a cloth, in ?. few days the eye entirely recovered. ."SPECIFIC, OJi FERIODIC, UPIITIIALMIA. 583 Once, while training Gifford, one of my old pair of trained horses, he ran accidentally against the corner of a stair, striking the eye so severely as to instantly destroy his power of sight ; the eye was entirely closed, and red with inflammation. In this case I sim- ply kept the eye covered with a cloth kept constantly wet with water in which was tincture of aconite in the proportion of about 40 drops to half a pint of water. There was entire recovery within a week. This mild preparation has proved for mc very efficient in reducing local inflammation. Specific, or Periodic, Ophthalmia, is the most severe affection to which the horse's eye is liable, and is very common in this coun- try. The parts principally and primarily involved are the internal structures of the eye, and the changes which occur vary in degree according to the severity of the attack. Causes. — T he great cause of this affection can be traced to an hereditary predisposition, always ready to burst forth when exposed to certain exciting causes, such as injuries of any kind, as before ex- Fio. 901. — Physiological Papillae, as Seen with the , . , , . , . ... , plained, bemg kept m very Ophthalmoscope. ' > t. r j dark and ill-ventilated sta- bles, and then suddenly exposed to the glare of a hot sun ; and, like simple ophthalmia, it may follow continued exposure to cold. Symptoms. — Among the first symptoms is a watery discharge from one or both eyes, and on being exposed to the sunlight he ex- hibits a peculiar uneasiness, with a partial closure of the affected eye. As the disease advances, the eyelids become swollen, and if turned upward, the conjunctiva appears reddened and injected ; the eye looks smaller, and retracted into its socket ; the interior of the eye reveals a peculiar muddy or turbid appearance, showing floating flakes, and a yellowish or whitish deposit at the bottom of the cham- ber. Fig. 902 is designed to show, on an enlarged scale, something of this change. The symptoms are very like ihose of simple oph- 5S4r DISEASES AXn Til Ell! THE AT ME XT. thalmia, and often lead to the supposition that the eye has received a blow or other injury. The above symptoms become more and more aggravated, and the patient becomes affected constituticfnally ; the circulation is in- creased, the mouth hot, and the appetite impaired. These symp- toms may continue for several days, and then gradually disappear, or they may be prolonged for weeks, and end only with the destruc- tion of the eye. A prominent and well-marked symptom of this disease is its shifting from one eye to the other ; in many cases, one eye has no sooner re- covered than the other becomes affected. At other times, recovery ^is rapid, and to all ap- pearances the eye looks perfectly healthy ; in a short time, however, the disease returns, and often with increased severity. These oc- currences or shiftings take place in from three weeks to a month or more. As the disease advances still further, the eye begins to clear, the cornea becoming transparent, leaving a slight muddiness in the anterior part (cham- ber) of the eye ; the pupil diminishes in size, and the disease grad- ually terminates in more or less opacity of the chrjstalline lens or its capsule, constituting cataract. Treatmetit. — As a general rule, the treatment of specific oph- thalmia is very unsatisfactory, but still medicinal remedies are found beneficial in palliating the disease. The horse should be placed in a comfortable and darkened loose box, with a plentiful supply of pure air. A brisk dose of purgative medicine should be adminis- tered, and if much constitutional fever is present, ten drops of the tincture of aconite should be given every three hours, until six or eight doses are given. Bleed from the facial vein, and follow by fo- mentations of hot water to the eye. After the third or fourth day, Fig. 903. — Inflammation of the Optic Nerve. a, Papillse of the optic nerve congested; b, Enlarged veins connected by exudation round the papillie ; c, rather dimin ished arteries. SPECIFIC, OR PERIODIC, OPHTHALMIA. 585 cold applications are preferable to hot. The extract of belladonna may be applied around the orbits, and also administered internally, in doses of two scruples three times a day. When the acute inflam- matory symptoms are somewhat abated, the absorption of the effused products should be aided by a stimulating collyrium, as, — Sulphate of zinc. 10 grs. Distilled water 1 oz. or any of the eye-waters advised under that head. Fia. 903. — Generalized Atrophical Choroidites. a, PapillfE of the optic nerve, preserving its rosy color ; b, c, Atrophied choroid, showing the white tint of the uncovered sclerotic; d, e, Blood-vessels of the retina: f, Pigmentary de- posits of the choroid. The following simple treatment, used by a very successful prac- titioner, has by special request been written out for me : — When the lids are swollen, and not due to any disease, such as pinlv-eye, etc., but to a cold, and injuries of numerous descriptions, the eye should first be bathed with hot salt water for a few minutes, then turn the lower lid down and drop on the lid and eye-ball, with an eye-dropper, the following collyrium: — Sulphate of atropa.. 10 gr. Sulphate of zinc 1 dr. Agua rosae 6 oz 586 DISEASES AXD Til EI It TREATMENT. Drop on the diseased eye 15 to 10 drops two to three times a day. This rem- edy is a certain cure in most all eye troubles. In diseases of the eye due to liver complaint, first give a strong cathartic com- bined with 1 to 2 drachms of calomel, and treat the eye as above. Amaurosis, or Gl.\ss Eve, consist.s in either partial or complete paralysis of the optic nerve, or its terminal expansion, the retina. Cniises. — Injuries to the brain, causing an extravasation of blood upon the deep origin of the special nerve of sight (optic), from dis- ease of the internal coat of the eye (retina). It occasionally occurs as a sequel of stomach staggers or indigestion. We have also known it to occur in pregnant mares. Percival mentions several cases of amaurosis occurring in mares with foal, where vision was perfectly restored after parturition. Symptoms. — The eye has a peculiar glassy appearance ; the horse carries his head very high, and is continually moving his ears, and his action is high, lifting his feet as if he were stepping over some obstacle. He is easily alarmed by an)' noise. The pupil is dilated, and loses its natural elliptical form. If the glare of a lighted candle is brought to bear upon the eye, the pupil refuses to con- tract, thus showing that nervous influence is lost. Treatment. — The horse should have rest, and a strong dose of purgative medicine given. If supposed to arise from effusion or pressure on the nerve (optic), blisters and setons to the poll are rec- ommended, and diuretics should be used. In some instances the powdered nux vomica, in doses of one scruple twice a day, has been used with advantage. If amaurosis has continued for a lengthened period, it is incurable, and treatment in such cases would be en- tirely useless. Cataract is the name applied to a deposition of a pearly white substance within the eye, and is a very common affection in this country. It consists of an effusion of lymph, either on the middle humor (crys- talline lens), or on its capsule, and is variable in size, sometimes not larger than the head of a pin, while in other cases it covers the whole lens. Causes. — It is generally a result of repeated attacks of specific ophthalmia, or it may even supervene upon a first attack ; it may follow a severe injury to the eye. DROPSY OF THE BELLY. 587 Symptoms. — The eyesight is either partially or completely gone, and when covering the greater part of the lens, it is easily known by its pearly white appearance. When small, it is somewhat difficult of detection ; the eye is smaller than in health, and the pupil becomes greatly contracted when exposed to light. It may be detected by placing the animal in a bright light, and carefully examining the eye ; if the eye appears smaller than the other, it indicates something amiss with it. He should then be placed in a darkened stable, and allowed to stand quietly for ten or fifteen minutes before being subjected to an examination. Stand in front of him, and bring a lighted candle close up to the front of his eye, when any alteration in the structure of the lens can be readily detected. Treatynciit of the horse is useless, as when permanently established, it cannot be re- moved. When the cataract is confined to one eye only, it interferes but little with the horse's usefulness for ordinary work. The cornea is frequently injured from the puncture of a nail, allowing the aqueous humor to escape, and perhaps' injuring the p^^ 904.-Partial Cataracts, crystalline lens, completely destroying the or Small White Specks with- vision. When the injury is confined to the In the Pupil of the Eye. cornea, the humor may be reproduced. The part should be diligently bathed, either with hot or cold water, and the fomentations must be applied several times a day ; and the eye supported by means of a wet sponge or cloth, which tends to sub- due the acute inflammation and allay the pain, and by keeping the eyelids closed, it supports the lacerated parts. After a few days it may be necessary to stimulate the part, when any of the stimulating applications recommended for simple ophthalmia may be used. The membrana nictitans, or haw, sometimes becomes enlarged, the result of an injury, or from being implicated in other diseased conditions of the eye. Even in its healthy state, we have known it to be mistaken (by ignorant persons) for an abnormal structure, and barbarously removed. It is not an unusual circumstance to hear persons boast of the rapidity with which they can remove this beautiful and most essential appendage to the eye. Dropsy of the Belly (Ascites). Ascites consists of a collection of serous fluid in the cavity of 588 DISEASES AND Til El It TREAT ME XT. the belly. It is not very often seen, unless in connection with some other disease. Causes. — It is usually the result of chronic peritoneal inflam- mation, or a sympathetic extension, or accompaniment of " water in the chest" (hydrothorax), chronic disease of some important or- gan contained in the belly, which it invests. Occasionally it occurs in conjunction with enlarged liver or spleen. Sometimes also from impeded circulation, consequent on abnormal tumors pressing on some important vessels ; and unquestionably, as in the human sub- ject, some animals have a dropsical tendency (diathesis). Symptoms. — The animal is observed to be dull and inactive, the bowels are costive, and the urine scanty ; he is always thirsty, watery swelling appears between the fore legs, which soon extends backward along to the sheath or udder ; the belly is large, and when struck, emits a dull, heavy sound. As it goes on, the breath- ing becomes rapid, and the pulse quick and small, the thirst intense, the appetite fails, the enlargement of the belly becomes more per- ceptible, the external swelling greater, and the breathing much in- creased ; as death approaches, the pulse becomes imperceptible, and as Blaine remarks, " the peritoneal inflammation produces colicky symptoms frequently, and in this way being occasionally but little disturbed, and at other times very ill, a few active symp- toms carry off the poor beast." Treatment. — When the watery effusion is extensive, few cases recover ; however, much can be done to arrest it in the early stages ; the prospects of recovery, of course, depend a good deal on the cause of complaint ; when accompanied by hydrothorax, it almost invariably proves fatal. The strength from the first must be har- bored, stimulants must be given from the beginning ; open the bowels by an active purgative, smart friction being frequently ap- plied to the belly, or if the swelling is considerable, it should be supported by bandages ; should the state of the patient permit, walking exercise should be persevered in. The following ball should be given daily : — Iodine 1 dr. Iodide »f potassium 1 dr. Linseed meal and soft soap sufficient to form a ball. Occasional doses of sweet niter and warm beer should be given. Free scarifications with a lancet or sharp knife should be made in the swelling. Tonics should be more early used than they generally are ; a very good tonic ball in these cases consists of — AiVASAJiCA, OR SWELLED LEGS. 589 Sulphate of iron 2 dr. Iodine 1 dr. Made into a ball with linseed meal and soft soap. Or, — Ginger 3 dr. Gentian 3 dr, Sulphate of iron 3 dr. Molasses sufficient to make a ball. When medical treatment fails, temporary relief may be obtained by tapping, which consists in puncturing the belly, in the line .be- tween the navel and the sheath or udder, taking care not to injure the bowels or any important vessels, in doing which the belly must be tightly bandaged, and kept compressed. Anasarca, or Swelled Legs. If plethoric, fat legs and sheath swclleil. When standing in the Fio. 905.— Thickening ot the Fiii. 9(l().— The Leg Fig. 907.— The Leg as il Tendons, Caused by Bang- in its Natural Appears when " Filled " Ing or Striking the Part. Condlllon. or Swelled. stable without any of the usual symptoms, should first be given a strong cathartic, and twenty-four to thirty-six hours after give the following powders in the feed morning and night : — Sulphate of iron IJ oz. Powdered digitalis leaves. 3 oz. Nitrate of potassa 6 oz. Powdered mix vomica J oz. Make into twelve powders, and give in feed morning and night 690 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREAT MEXT. as above directed, until the animal's feces become of a blackish color, then stop. By this time the horse should be well. If the case is weak and debilitated, omit the physic and powders, and give good, nutritious food. In the meantime the horse in either case should have gentle exercise. It is bad practice to bandage. The application of bandages with stimulating liniment prevents the free circulation of the blood, thereby causing not only debility of the capillaries, or small blood- vessels, but also irritating the skin. It in all cases gives temporary relief, but does not cure. The treatment before given is the only one to be depended upon. Inflammation of the Veins (Phlebitis). Owing to the practice of bleeding horses for all ailments, which is still very common among people through the country, phlebitis is not uncommon. It consists of inflammation of the coats of the vein, involving the surrounding cellular tissues also. Causes. — When it occurs, it almost invariably follows the opera- tion of bleeding, arising from some mismanagement in performing it, or securing the integuments after. Rust\- fleams, carelessness in pinning it up, — as in pulling the skin out, allowing blood to filtrate the cellular tissues, — bringing the edges unevenly together, or, as in cases we have known, pinning the vein itself to the skin. Cer- tain states of constitutional predisposition of the veins to take on inflammatory action are said to exist. Symptoms. — It is easily distinguished by the inverted edges of the wound, which are red and swollen, and discharge thin serum, which soon gives place to pus. The vein above the incision is hard, hot, and tender, and considerably enlarged. The swelling extends upward to the head ; the inflammation extends to the surrounding tissues; the side of the neck is swollen; the neck is stiff, and the head extended. The symptomatic fever runs high. Treatment. — The head should be tied up, and almost constant fomentations of hot water applied for several days. The lips of the wound should be touched with the cauterjr or lunar caustic. A full dose of purgative medicine should be given. When the acute fever has subsided, the wound should be blistered throughout its entire extent, and repeated if required, the head being kept elevated, and the horse's feed placed within his reach. These cases often terminate in complete obliteration of the LA MP AS. 591 vein ; but in course of time the smaller vessels of the neck enlarge, and take the place of the lost jugular. He is not suited to be turned to pasture, as the head is apt to swell. He can never after be passed as a sound horse. Thrombus. Thrombus is the name given to a round tumor which sometimes occurs around the puncture made in bleeding. Causes. — It is usually the result of pinning up the wound by drawing the skin out, allowing the blood to be extravasated into the cellular tissues ; also from the opening in the skin not being opposite the opening in the vein, or too small to allow the blood to escape freely ; often from the tissues being irritated by repeated striking of the fleam, or " perhaps from spontaneous inflammation and serous effusion in the divided integuments and membranes themselves." Symptoms. — It is easily recognized by the appearance of a round, full swelling surrounding the opening a short time after bleeding. Treatment. — It should be opened again, the coagula squeezed out, and the edges of the wound again brought together, and a pad or sponge saturated with a strong solution of Goulard's lotion, or cold water constantly applied for an hour at a time, the pad being sup- ported by a broad bandage round the neck. The head must be tied up for at least twenty-four hours. It usually subsides in a day or two. Should swelling remain, it should be blistered and treated as in phlebitis. Lam PAS. Lampas is the name given to a slight enlargement of the bars or ridges on the palate behind the incisor teeth. It is mostly con- fined to young horses, and is a natural conjestion of these parts, consequent on the shedding of the teeth. It is not so much a disease as a natural and salutary process, which in general is best let alone, and in which cruel remedies, such as firing, should never for a moment be thought of If much inflamed, a slight scarifica- tion, with sloppy feed for a few weeks, will suffice to remove it. In older animals, similar swellings are sometimes seen arising from indigestion ; a slight physicking will generally remove them, with- out resorting to such ^iz^/rd" practices as "cutting out the lampas." Fig. 908. — The Barbarous Method often Resorted to, of Burning out the Lampas. 592 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. DISEASES OF THE SKIN. The skin is a membrane of variable thickness, which covers the whole body, and is reflected inward by all the natural openings, so as to line, by its internal reflections, the eye, the nasal cavities, the mouth, etc., etc. Skin diseases in the lower animals generally do not prove so inveterate as in human beings. Surfeit is an affection of common occurrence among horses in the spring and summer months, and is an eruptive disease, showing itself in the form of small tumors, or pimples, and extending along the neck, or over the whole body. Causes. — It very often proves a sequel to some derangement of the digestive organs ; as from feeding for a lengthened period on one kind of food, and more particularly if it is of a stimulating or heating nature. It is also apt to occur in horses that are in high condition, when subjected to violent exercise, causing them to sweat freely, and then being exposed to sudden chill ; in this form it is often met with in colts when being first put to work. Symptoms. — It appears suddenly ; small pimples or tumors arise on different parts of the body and neck, and particularly un- derneath the mane ; in some instances they disappear rapidly by absorption, while in others they burst and discharge a thin fluid : the hair comes out, and small scales form, which are easily pulled off. At times this affection proves very irksome and troublesome to the horse, causing him to rub violently against his stall, or bite at the parts affected. In its simple form it appears to inconven- ience the animal but little, and is generally easily removed. Treatmeiit. — In the first place the food should be changed, and a mild purgative given, as Barbadoes aloes, four to six drachms ; the kidneys should be made to act freely, and for that purpose the following ball may be given daily for four or five days : — Nitrate of potassa 3 dr. Camphor 1 scr. Oil of juniper 1 dr. With soft soap and linseed meal sufficient to form an ordinary- sized ball. In inveterate cases, small doses of calomel and opium may be used with success. The eruptions should be thoroughly cleansed with soap and water, and afterward dressed with a mild solution of the chloride of zinc, about twenty grains to a pint of water. Ke MAXGE. 593 should have regular exercise and good grooming, using the wisp instead of the curry-comb. Surfeit differs from mange in not being contagious. Urticaria, Nettle Rash, Hives, etc., shown by pimples, or elevations, on the skin, may go and come within twenty-four hours, generally due to a disturbance of the stomach, such as gastric derangement. In any case not serious, the symptoms are as follows : The horse probably not having taken well to his feed (apparently all right), a few hours later the whole body will be covered with little eruptions or elevations all over the skin. The treatment for it should be as follows : Give a cathartic, and have his body well bathed with strong salt and water. This bathing may be repeated two or three times within twenty-four hours ; feed lightly, and reduce the amount of grain feed. This disease is caused by overfeeding and want of exercise ; is always common to fat horses, and makes its appearance during the springand summer months. Mange is another eruptive disease, and is very contagious, and is caused by the repeated attacks of minute insects which burrow into the skin ; these insects are called acart, and can be easily seen by means of a magnifying glass. (I include illustrations of two varieties of mange parasites.) Causes. — In the majority of cases it is the result of contagion, either from coming in direct contact with a mangy horse, or it may be carried by means of his harness or blankets. It is also generated by uncleanliness and insufficient nourishment ; the skin, from being allowed to become covered with dirt, loses, in a great measure, its highly important function in maintaining an animal in health. Symptoms. — Generally, the first symptom observed is the an- imal's rubbing his head and neck against the stall or manger ; small pimples appear, and the hair falls off; the skin is dry and hard, and upon the hardened patches may be seen small red spots. A horse affected with mange is kept in a constant state of irritation, which soon reduces him in flesh. Treatment. — He should be separated from other animals, and thoroughly washed with soap and water every second or third day, afterward dcessed with the following application : — 3S a 594 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Fig. 9(»9. — Symptoms of Mange. Linseed-oil 4 oz. Oil of tar 4 oz. Sulphur 3 oz. Mix, and rub well into the affected parts. Or — Oil of turpentine. . . .4 oz. Oil of tar 4 oz. Linseed-oil 6 oz. Mix. Alternately with the above application mer- curial ointment may be used. The horse should be given a generous diet, and moderate and regu- lar exercise. In invet- erate cases arsenical so- lutions are beneficial, but must be used with caution. All clothing, harness, etc., which have been used on a horse affected with mange, should be thoroughly cleansed before they are used again. The only means of preventing this disease is to keep both animal and stable in a cleanly condition. The following is recommended by a very successful veterinary surgeon : — Take the horse in the sun, and scrub him thoroughly all over with castile soap and water, then wash him well from head to tail with gas water, in which put 2 Mange Parasites. drachms white hellebore to the gallon. He must now be put in another stall, distant from the one in which he has been standing. Thus treated, it rarely requires more than one washing to effect a permanent cure. The harness should- be thoroughly HEN LICE. 595 scrubbed, and put away for six or eight weeks. These precautions are necessary to success iB this otherwise troublesome disease. Hen Lice. It is not known to many that hen lice and common human body lice grow on horses with great rapidity. Hen lice especially arf sometimes very troublesome. Prof. Bouley, in 1S51, first called attention to them. Fig. 912. — One of the Tests for Mange. Syinptouis. — When a horse is taken suddenly with irresist- ible itching, sometimes acting half frantic in his efforts to relieve himself by scratching, biting, striking up with his hind feet, and stamping, examine him carefully for hen lice. This trouble is to be particularly looked for where hens have access to, or roost in, the stable. There is liable to be an eruption of very small vesicles under the skin, the hair falling off in small, circular spots. In a few days these spots are liable to extend. When neglected, or not attended to, the horse is liable to lose his appetite, grow thin and weak, on account of the constant annoyance and irritation to which he is made subject. Ti'eatment. — Remove the cause. Hens should never be kept near a horse stable, nor allowed to roost in it. Wash the animal with a decoction of tobacco or staphysgia ; whitewash the stable, and observe cleanliness. If subject to human lice, and the animal is poor, with long hair, clip it off, and wash the animal with a decoction of stavesacre, one ounce of the powdered seeds to a pint of water, taking care that the animal does not lick himself for some time after the remedy has been applied. — Williauis. Fig. 913. — Mange Parasite. 596 DISEASES A XI) THE Hi TREAT J/EXT. An ounce of arsenic to a pail of soft water, with which to wash the horse thoroughly in a warm place, is claimed to be a sure remedy for destroying either kind oi Wee. ^-Sitiinnervi lie. RlXG-WORM. This is not a common disease among horses. It consists in a parasitic growth of organic cells in the surface of the skin. Ring- FiG. 914. — Herpes — Vesicular Ring-worm. worm is a common affection in man, and is said to be communicable from him to the lower animals. Like other diseases of the skin, it is also generated by uncleanliness. Symptofiis. — The hair falls off on various parts of the body, especially about the face, eyelids, cheeks, neck, and thighs, leaving small and apparently ulcerated patches, which appear white and scaly, and have a peculiar tendency to spread ; the animal loses flesh, and his coat becomes dry and dirty-looking. Treatment. — Ring-worm, if attended to in the early stage, is easily cu<-ed. The affected parts should be well cleansed, and touched with a mild caustic, and dressed daih" with the following ointment : — Iodine 1 dr. Lard 1 oz. CRACKED HEELS. 597 Or, in place of the ointment, a liniment composed of — Sulphur 1 oz. Iodide of potassium 6 dr. Iodine 3 dr. Oil of tar 10 oz. May be used daily. Herpes — Vesicular Ring-Worm. The treatment for this disease consists in purgative, low diet, and local applications of sedative lotions. Scratches, Mud Fever, and Cracked Heels are very common occurrences among horses, especially in the spring and autumn months, and the hind legs are oftener affected than the fore ones. Blip -'^''-'^ Fig. 615.— a Very Bad Case of Scratches. Fig. 916. An Ordinary Case of Scratclies. Causes. — They are very often the result of keeping horses standing in damp or filthy stables. Clipping the hair from off the legs is regarded as a very serious cause of scratches, as it leaves the skin so bare that it cannot as readily resist the effects of ir- ritants of any kind as when protected by its natural covering ; but the most common cause is the habit of washing the legs with cold water, and not drying them thoroughly afterward. The sebaceous glands in the hollow of the pasterns become inflamed, their secre- tion is increased, the skin cracks, and discharges an ichorous matter. Symptoms. — They usually cause lameness, more or less severe, according to the severity of the attack, always most painful for the first few steps. The hollows of the pasterns are swollen, red, 598 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. hot, and tender, with transverse cracks which open at every step, and often bleed, especially in cold weather. A good illustration of this is shown by Figs. 915 and 916.) Treatment must be regulated according to the extent and duration of the disease. In all cases the horse should be kept in a dry place, with an abundance of clean litter ; the heels should be thoroughly cleansed, and if painful, poultices of linseed meal applied for several days. If the horse is in high condition, and the legs much swollen, a full dose of purgative medicine must be given, followed by two or three doses of diuretic medicine, as, — Kitrate of potash. 3 dr. Resin 3 dr. With soft soap sufficient to make an ordinary-sized ball. After poulticing, the parts should be dressed once or twice a day with the following lotion : — ^ Sulphate of zinc 6 dr. i-kuSuM^ Acetate of lead 1 oz. Water 1 pt. BtKS'\\ Jff*W|li^ Occasionally scratches prove very M mi/Mkl'M troublesome and difficult to cure ; if the ~' ' ulcerations extend, it will be necessary to change the dressing, and dry powders, such as oxide of zinc, calomel, etc., should be tried. The following is included from a very successful practitioner, as his favorite treatment : — First, wash the parts off well with warm water and soap, drj' thoroughly, and apply the following ointment twice a day: — Oxide of zinc 3 oz. Carbolic acid. . . 2 dr. Fig. 917. — Showing the Legs in Lard. 10 oz. Healthy Condition. Mix. If the case is serious, internal remedies must be resorted to. First give a lax- ative, then feed twice a day one of the following powders: — Sulphate of iron 1 J oz. Pulverized gentian root 3 oz. Make into eight powders. The following is one of the very best remedies ever used. It was given the writer by a drunken horse doctor for the cure of a very serious case of cracked heels, old Turco, my favorite trained horse, being the case, and it cured him quickly after all CRACKED HEELS. 599 other treatment had failed. See particulars in " Facts for Horse Owners," page 1010. Resin ; 3 oz. Copperas 3 oz. Alum 3 oz. Beeswax 1 oz. Tar ' 1 pt. Tallow size of hen's egg. Boil over a slow fire, skim, and add a handful of the scrapings of sweet elder. When cool, it is fit for use. Another remedy, for which much is claimed, is the following : — Sweet-oil 6 oz. Borax 3 oz. Sugar of lead 3 oz. Mix. First wash clean with soft water and castile soap. When dry, apply once a day. Sometimes a horse will irritate or break the skin by getting a rope or strap around the leg, which, if neglected, will cause a great deal of trouble by inducing scratches or cracking of the skin. The leg should be immediately poulticed with flaxseed meal, until all inflammation subsides. The horse in the meantime should have bran mashes, with a small dose of physic. If, however, it has been neglected, and scratches or ulceration of the skin follow, it must be treated the" same as for an ordinary case of scratches. I have found that tying a thickness or two of flannel loosely around the part for a few days after treatment, is very beneficial. For Scratches and Cracked Heels. The following remedy of great value is given by one of the leading veterinary surgeons in the United States : — Take of oxide of zinc, one drachm ; veterinary cosmoline, one ounce ; pow- dered gum benzoin, ten grains ; camphorated spirits, one drachm ; mix thoroughly. The mode of application is a matter for attention. It should be gently rubbed upon the cracks with the finger, so as to distribute it in a moderately thick layer over the whole of the affected part, and to insinuate it as much as possible under any crusts that may be formed in the disease. Once properly applied, it will prevent further crust from collecting, while it serves the several purposes of a new cuticle to the abraded skin, a water-dressing, and a barrier to the oxidizing action always present in inflammation. The heels must not be washed after the application of the oint- ment ; they may be wiped with a soft napkin as much as may seem necessary, but when the ointment is once applied, it should not be removed by washing without good reason. Or the following liniment may be successfully applied : Take of Goulard's extract, English glycerine, and skunk oil, two parts each ; liquor ammonia, half a part ; mix. Agitate before using, and apply with a soft brush twice a day. 600 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Hoof Ointment. Used by Joseph Gaijigee, V. S., formerly professor in the new Veterinary College, Edinburgh, Scotland, over forty years. It is also used as a remedy of great value for skin diseases, referred to particularly in " Scratches and Cracked Heels." As a preventive of the injurious effects resulting from changes from humidity to dryness, and vice, rersa, I have used a hoof ointment, which I have found an ad- mirable adjunct to all other good management. When I began to see that humidity impaired the texture of the hoof, I had re- course to oil, lard, or tallow, with the view to exclude moisture ; but my experi- ments were attended with questionable effect, except in the case of mutton tallow, which, during wet weather. I found beneticial. The following is the formula, as improved : — Resin 2 parts. Mutton tallow 2 parts. Barbadoes tar 2 parts. Yellow wax 1 part. Castor-oil 1 part. Given on page 9S3 of " Facts for Horse Owners," To be combined according to pharmaceutical rules. This ointment is a perfect antiseptic, and as soon as it is applied to horses' feet with bad thrushes, the offensive odor ceases. Directions for Use. — The ointment should be applied after the feet are washed clean and become dry, and is most effectually applied by rubbing in with the hand. Take a piece the size of a walnut, press it on the sole at the point of the frog, then into the commissures ; and lastly, rub it well into the sole and frog, and then extend it over the wall and round the coronet, using as much as may be sufficient to cover these parts effectively. It may be repeated about every fourth day ; and the evening, after work, is the best time ; or once a week will .suffice to keep the feet in good condition under ordinary work. Good for Skin Diseases. Though I have called the preparation a hoof ointment, it is as effectual for the cure of many of the most troublesome skin diseases as it is good for the preservation of the feet. The breaking out of blotches and cracks of the heels, to which horses are so liable in winter, after the very objectionable practice of clipping and trim- ming, is cured by nothing so readily as by this ointment, well rubbed in, after the parts have been thoroughly washed with warm water and soap. In the same way as directed for horses' hoofs, the ointment is good for the feet of cattle, sheep, and sporting dogs. Grease. This may be considered as an aggravated condition of scratches, and is induced by the same general causes. In the early stage, it consists in inflammation of the sweat glands, followed by an offen- sive, white, oily discharge from the heels. The acrid character of the discharge often causes large portions of the skin to slough away, leaving ugly sores behind. GREASE. 601 Symptoms. — There is generally more or less swelling of the legs, which, if not speedily relieved, is followed by a discharge ; the hair falls off, and the skin is reddened and inflamed. The parts are very painful and hot, and in many cases the least pressure of the hand will make the horse twitch up his leg, and continue to hold it up for some time. In other cases, when made to move about in his stall, or when taken out of his stable in the morning, he will keep twitching up his legs as if he were affected with stringhalt. Exer- cise appears to relieve the pain, as after being walked for ten or fif- teen minutes, he goes quite free. As the disease advances, the skin cracks, and the discharge increases, becoming more and more pur- ulent and offensive. (A good illustration of its appearance at this stage is given in Fig. 919.) The swelling increases, not being con- fined to the heels, but itivolving the front of the fetlock joint, and in some t^v^ cases extending upward to the hock. The cracked condition of the legs and heels undergoes a change of structure, and fungoid granulations spring up similar in form to a bunch of keys ; this is called the " grapy stage," which may vary considerably in structure, at one time being very vascular, bleed- ing readily when touched ; in other instances it loses its vascularity, and becomes hard and horny ; from be- tween the crevices of the grapes an ichorous, glairy discharge contin- ues. There is a small parasite, called sar- coptes hippopodus, which is sometimes Fig. 918.— A Bad Condition of Grease, found in chronic cases of grease (Fig. 919). Williams says this class of insect may be also common to mange. The disease induced by it is called foot mange. Attention is drawn to a horse with this disease by his rubbing his fore legs, or striking constantly with the hind ones during the night. The seat of the disease, and the ready detection of numerous parasites in clusters where crusts or scabs form about the horse's heels, suffice to enable us to diagnose the- malady. Treatment. — Without cleanliness, all medicinal remedies are useless. The heels should be washed with soap and water every 602 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREATMENT. day, and the general comfort of the animal attended to. If the pa- tient is in high condition, a dose of purgative medicine must be given, and the animal restricted to a cooling diet, as carrots, bran, etc. ; or, if in summer, green food is preferable. The following lotion may be applied daily, which, in mild cases, will generally suffice : — Cbloride of zinc 30 gr. Water 1 pt. In cases of long standing, the hair must be cut off, and the parts soft- ened with linseed-meal poultices ; „, J to which may be added charcoal, '*' " yeast, or bleaching powder. After removing the poultices, dust the parts over with oxide-of-zinc pow- ' (0j^^r\^ ^^^■^ °'' ^PPly the following oint- j^^ ment every morning, to be washed *' ''^"SP^ i^ " °*^ ^'^ n ight :— YifiHW J6 Acetate of lead 1 scr. Soft soap 4 dr. Lard 4 dr. As in other skin diseases, small doses of Fowler's solution of ar- senic are generally attended with beneficial results. u\ Tumor on the Shoulder. Very often, in consequence of continued chafing of the collar, T,,^ nif, c 1 u- , which may be neglected, serious in- iiG. 919. — Sarcoptes Hippopodus. . . flammation is caused, sometimes followed by a deep cyst of matter beneath the large flat muscle which covers the front of the shoulder. The tissues around the part become thickened and indurated so that it is frequently difficult to detect any fluctuation of matter, yet it may be assumed, when there is considerable swelling, that has continued for some time, and mat- ter exists, there will not be recovery until it has been removed. In slight cases only, a little nut-like induration usually forms without matter. Treatment. — In cases where injury is vecent, if the horse must be used, change the collar, so that, if possible, no chafing or pressure will be brought upon the part. Bathe the shoulder with hot and TUMOR OX THE SHOULDER. 603 cold water according to the severity of the case, or two or three thicknesses of wet blanket may be slung over the shoulder. Bath- ing the part thoroughly with ar- nica which has been reduced about one third with water, is a favorite ^ m remedy for chafes and bruises. i mL., The following liniments for exter- | vfM—, nal inflammation are very good : — wl^P^ f ^ Wormwood 2 oz. It ^T ^ 'm^^-^% New England rum 1 qt. \j M'/ d "' "^ Steep the wormwood in the ^9b, /s- liquor, and apply the preparation thoroughly to the shoulder. Or, — Goulard's extract 1 oz. Vinegar 2 oz. Spirits of wine 3 oz. Water IJ pt. Fig. 920. — Showing Tumor on Elbow. Cover the part with two or three thicknesses of cloth kept wet with this. An excellent remedy for bruises and soreness, caused by kicks, etc., is made by put- i^'lliHHHilHHL. V ^^^^^^HTIMI ^^^ camphor which it " "llliiWiP^^ T ^^^/' ^^ will cut or dissolve. WlHHir ' \ \ ^^ ~1 i Bathe the part thor- r/,. . T ^ m^i oughly with this. '^^^mk A If a tumor forms, \ ^^J^A^ open it with a knife, ^^ and treat like an ordi- nary wound ; or the ..^ ™„,. .,»»™ss.™s™.™. matter can be drawn vs^ise / ,«i^^yTi^^^^^S. off with a trochar and ^^^^■'■r canula, until the sac is reduced, when it can be opened. If a solid tumor forms, a straight verticle incision is to Fig. 921. — A Good Method of Covering Shoulder with Wet i^g made through the Cloths or Poultices, when Seriously Chafed or Inflamed. , . ti „ ' skin over the mass, and dissected out, when the skin is to be brought together with stitches, and treated as a simple wound. 604 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Tumor on Point of the Elbow. These are, in most cases, caused by the heels of the shoe when the horse lies with his fore limbs bent under him. Treatment. — If in its acute stage, hot or cold applications may be used ; if very much swollen, bathing with hot water will be best. When the acute stage passes off, apply an iodine or biniodide of mercury blister ; if se- rum is secreted," it is recommended as the simplest treatment, to draw it off with a canula and trochar, and inject the sac with compound tincture of iodine, diluted with twice the quantity of water. Or, open the sac freely at the lower part, and heal like a com- mon wound. If a hard mass is left beneath the skin, it is to be dissected out, and the skin brought together with a couple of stitches, and treat as a simple wound. Sallenders Fig. 922. -A Good Method of Covering or Poulticing tlie Elbow when Injured. is a name given to an eruption on the front of the hock joint, con- sisting in a scurfiness of the skin, accompanied by an ichorous dis- charge, and falling out of the hair. Causes. — High feeding without exercise, disorder of the digest- ive system, uncleanliness, and bad grooming. In stallions of the heavy draught breed it is a very common affection, and proves difficult to remove. Treatment. — Dress the parts with mercurial or iodine ointments, keep the legs dry and clean, and give regular but not severe exer- cise, and occasionally a dose of laxative medicine. When only slight, the following lotion may remove them : — Corrosive sublimate 20 grs. Water 1 pt. Apply twice a day. TENOTOMY. 605 Mallenders is the name given to a similar affection located at the back of the knee. The treatment must be the same as for sallenders. Saddle and Collar Galls, a very common occurrence among horses, are caused by uneven pressure of the saddle or collar ; the skin becomes excoriated, and the hair falls off Large inflammatory swellings appear, which may form into abscesses, or the skin may become indurated and thick- ened. Treatment. — The parts should be fomented with warm water, and some simple or cooling lotion applied, as, — Acetate of lead 1 oz. Water .1 pt. If abscesses form, they must be freely opened, and well fomented or poulticed. When the skin becomes in- durated, forming what are called sitfasts, they must be dissected out. The following is said to be an excellent healing lotion for sad- dle or collar galls : — Sulphate copper. .IJ oz. Figs. 923, 934.— Sitfasts. The Result of Saddle and Snlpliate zinc i oz. Collar Galls. Sugar of lead . . .\\ oz. Put in three pints of water. Swab on the parts two or three times a day. Reduces inflammation, and sets up healing granulation of parts. Tenotomy. As the name indicates, it consists in division of the tendons in cases of morbid contraction, giving rise to knuckling over the fet- lock, causing the whole weight to be thrown on the toe. It is only applicable to cases in which we have no anchylosis of the joints. The horse being cast and properly secured, the leg is taken out of the hobbles, and a rope attached to the foot, which is held by as- sistants. A longitudinal incision is made about an inch in length, a little in front of the tendons, and below any point of thickening that may exist. A common small-bladed scalpel, or the curved tenotomy knife, is passed in, care being taken to avoid the artery vein and 606, DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. nerve, and the tendons are divided ; the skin behind must not be cut, as the ends of the tendon may protrude, giving rise to fungus growths. The foot should now be easily brought into its natural position ; if not, some force should be used to bring it back "by placing the knee against the front or pro- jecting part of it, at the same time laying hold of the foot with one hand, and the upper part of the leg with the other, and using considerable force." This is sometimes necessary to break up adhesions which may have formed. A stitch or two should be put in the wound, and a thick woolen bandage kept constantly wet with cold water should be applied for some days. If much inflammation ensues, a poultice should be ap- plied, and some purgative medicine given. If the fetlock descends too much, the heels a, Point to enter the should be raised. If adhesions take place during knife for cutting tije recovery, a tipped shoe should be put on the foot. tcnuoue. j r r i In from two to three months he will be fit for work. In a conversation with Dr. Hamill about this operation, in ex- plaining the simplicity and success of the operation, he referred to a case in point. To make the mat- ter more clear to the general reader, I made the request that he would write out a statement of the method of treatment used by him, with a drawing showing the position of the foot before being operated upon ; also drawings of his method of ad- justment for holding the foot in po- sition after the operation, which are here cfiven : — Fui. 02."). Showing the Position of the Foot Before being Oper- ated Upon. Tenotomy, or Division of THE Tendons. Fig. (I'Jf) Drawing of the Shoe and Bar Used for the Treatment of the Case Referred To. This is one of llie simplest, as well as one of the most useful operations in equine sur- gery, as it will restore to normal position and strength a limb which has been so much deformed by contraction of the great flexor tendon of the foot, as to leave an otherwise good horse utterly useless. This con- traction causes what is known as knuckling, or descending forward and down- ward of the fetlock joint toward the ground. TENOTOMY. 007 Fio. 937. — Drawing of Model Shoe and Bar Designed for this Purpose, and its Adjustment. The operation is ns follows : The horse is secured (in some cases throwing down is unnecessary), the leg is flexed or bent at the knee, a very small incision is made through tlie sl'' ' ^^iSis^ ->-*>''''^^^\ '^ as alcoholic stimulants, bel- /^^if'' *<^^*^^^ / ladonna, and digitalis. The sSm^^ J^'^^ ' first two stimulate the heart, the last is a heart sedative. Of alcohol, brandy, etc., give p,Q 930 _Feellng the Pulse. 2 to 4 ounces, with same quantity of water for a dose ; tincture of belladonna, 10 to 12 drops, which may be given in small doses every hour for an unlimited time, or in 1 to 2 drachm doses twice a day, not to be longer than a few days. Digitalis, being a heart sedative, must be used with greater caution ; from 15 to 60 drops of the tincture may be given twice a day for two to four days, or until the heart's action be- comes slower. This drug has accumulative properties — that is, it may not seem to act for some time ; and then act with such great force as to be fatal. — Hamill. Giving Balls. ^Medicine is most commonly given to horses in the form of a ball or bolas, the size of which should not exceed that of a hen's ^%%. Though named a ball, it is generally rolled up in a cylindrical form, about one inch in diameter, and two and a half in length. In 622 DISEASES AXD THEIR TREAT ME XT. giving a ball, the horse's tongue is drawn out on the off or right side, and held firmly with the left hand, while with the right the ball is quickly passed over the tongue into the pharynx, or top of the gul- FiG. 933.— Bad Method of Giving Ball. let. The hand should be kept as near to the roof of the mouth as possible in giving the ball ; there will then be much less danger of being wounded by the teeth. The moment the right hand is with- drawn from the mouth, the .tongue is let loose, and the ball generally swallowed. Balls cannot be conveniently given unless wrapped up in paper ; Fig. 934.— Approved Method. but for this purpose the softest and thinnest should be chosen. In holding the tongue with the left hand, while the ball is introduced, great care is required, as the rough and violent manner in which this is sometimes done often injures the tongue, or lacerates the under part of it. The muscles by which swallowing is effected may also be seriously injured in this way. In violent colds, strangles, etc.. PHYSICKING. 623 there is often so much soreness of the throat as to render swallowing" very painful and difficult ; in such cases, neither balls nor drenches should be given, as they are sure to do mischief by irritat- ing the throat, and may even suffocate the animal by getting into the wind- pipe. Fig. 93.5.— Alter Giving Ball. Physicking. It is always best, if possible, to prepare the horse for physic by jiving a bran mash twenty-four hours previously, as the medicine r Fig. 936. — Giving a Drench. will act more favorably, and there is less danger of superpurgation. Five drachms of aloes (Barbadoes aloes are always used for horses) will act as forcibly after a mash as seven without. Again, the quan- €24 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. tity of physic should be adapted to age and size. The rule is to give one drachm for each year up to seven. Eight drachms is the largest given at one dose. The following is a good physic ball : — Barbadoes aloes, pulverized 7 dr. Bar soap 4 dr. Ginger 1 dr. The usual way is to mix the ingredients in this proportion, then reduce to the weight intended, and give. For alterative balls simply give from one to two or three drachms of mass, as above prepared, two or three times a week, for a week or two. The following are the details advised : — The horse should be fed with bran mashes for two or three days, and have moderate but regular exercise, or be worked with moderation. He should be allowed only a moderate quantity of hay, especially if he has a voracious appetite ; and if inclined to eat his litter, he should be prevented by a muzzle, or by being tied up to the rack in the day-time, or what is still better, by having his litter removed during the day, and by applying the muzzle at night after he has eaten his allowance of hay. If in low condition, some oats may be mixed with the bran mashes ; but eight to ten pounds of good hay are a sufficient allowance for a day and night. On the morning when the physic is given, neither hay nor mashes should be allowed, until two or three hours after it has been taken. Some practitioners, however, direct a small, thin mash of bran only, to be given about an hour after, for the purpose of dissolving or mixing with the physic. This, however, is unnecessary, though supposed to render the effect milder and more expeditious. But this is not the case ; physic should be given fasting. During the day, the horse may have walking exercise for about half an hour, once only, and be fed with bran mashes, and have the chill taken off his water. Grooms generally consider exercise unnecessary or im- proper on the day the physic is given ; and on the following day, when the medicine generally operates, they are apt to give too much exercise. But as soon as the purging has taken place in a sufficient degree, which is generally the case about the afternoon of the day after it is taken, exercise is unnecessary and improper. And should the purging continue, or be found to be going on the following morning (that is, on the morning of the third day, includ- ing that on which the medicine was given), it should be restrained by gruel made of arrow-root or fine wheat flour, with which the horse should be drenched if he refuses to drink it. Should the PHYSICKING. 625 purging continue after this, about half an ounce of tincture of opium may be given with a little gruel. Horses sometimes appear sick, and refuse their food, after tak- ing physic, either during the afternoon or evening of the same day, or the following morning. This is generally caused by a neglect of the preparation above directed, by the stomach being loaded at the time the physic is given, or by the horse feeding improperly too soon afterward ; and not unfrequently by the physic being too strong. When this sickness is observed, the horse should have walking exercise ; and if it be on the same day the physic is taken, and the uneasiness be considerable, let a clyster be administered ; nothing more is necessary. Should it continue, however, the fol- lowing morning let him be again exercised, and have some water with the chill off; and if the purging does not come on, and he ap- pears to make fruitless efforts to dung, let the clyster be repeated, which, with repetition of the exercise, will generally produce the desired effect. A horse should be clothed, and not exposed to rain or cold wind during the operation of physic ; and when its opera- tion has ceased, he should be gradually brought back to his usual diet and work. Cathartics improve digestion and chylification by cleansing the intestines and unloading the liver, and if the animal is afterward properly fed, will improve his strength and condition in a remark- able degree. Diuretics carry off the excrementitious matter of the blood by the kidneys, and thereby produce a similar effect, but not in so essential or permanent a manner ; for if the system of feeding, which renders the blood impure, be continued, it will soon return to its original state. Cathartics are always useful when the appetite and digestion are bad, and this is known by a voracious or de- praved appetite, both for food and for water, rumbling of the bowels, and a frequent discharge of wind from the anus. This is the case in a remarkable degree with broken-winded horses, and generally in such as have chronic cough, or are crib-biters. Ca- thartics should not be given too strong or too frequently, as they may thereby weaken instead of strengthen the digestive organs, and produce the effect they were intended to remove. Cathartics should always be made with soap, in the following manner, and then, if given upon an empty stomach, they will be carried off, and will not be dissolved until they get into the large bowels, where their effect is intended to be produced ; that is, carrying off all the excrementitious matter that may be lodged in them. When given in this way, they never produce sickness or pain in the stomach, 40 a 626 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. but always operate without pain or danger. The following is a good cathartic ball : — Barbadoes aloes, powdered 4 dr. to 1 oz. Hard soap 3 to 4 dr. Ginger 1 dr. Water 1 dr. Oil of cloves 10 drops. Beat the soap, oil of cloves, and water together in a mortar, so as to form a paste, and if necessary use more water. This being done, add the powdered aloes and ginger, and beat the whole into a ball. Bleeding, or Phlebotomy. The operation of blood-letting is now almost discarded in modern practice. It is simple, and can be performed by almost any Fig. 937.— Raising the Vein. one with a steady hand. For its performance a fleam and blood- stick are required ; the star of the fleam should be large at the shoulder, to make a sufficient opening to allow a free flow of blood, and the blade should be broad, to prevent its sinking in when the vein is deep. The jugular vein of the neck is usually selected to bleed from. The head should be moderately raised and slightly turned off, the eye next the operator being covered by the hand of the assistant holding the head. The left side is easiest operated on ; the vein is raised by the pressure of the third and little fingers of the left hand, which holds the fleam. It is most superficial about two inches from the angle of the jaw, consequently this point is SETONS. 627 Fio. 988.— Method of Placing the Fleam. usually selected for the operation. The vein being raised, and the hair smoothed down by the moistened finger, the star of the fleam is placed in line with the course of the vein, with one smart tap -of the blood-stick the skin and coats of the vein are punct- ured, and the blood will flow. When sufficient has been ab- stracted, the edges of the wound should be carefully taken to- gether, and hairs and clot carefully wiped away ; a small pin is passed through them, and a little tow wound round it, and the point of the pin cut off. The head should be tied up for a few hours to prevent his rubbing the pin off. Setons. Setons are similar in their action to rowels, and are used for much the same purposes. They are usually made of broad white tape. In inserting a seton, the skin is cut with the roweling scissors as above. A seton needle, which should be large and well polished, is passed in and pushed under the skin as far as is neces- sary , another cut is then made in the skin, through which it is passed out ; the needle in its course should separate the skin on each side from its cellular attachments. The lower opening should always be so placed that the matter will have a dependent outlet. The ends of the seton should be tied to circular pieces of leather, so as to prevent its being pulled through. It is necessary to wash it frequently with warm water, and pull it up and down often, to keep it open, dressing it occasionally with digestive ointment to keep up the discharge. Fig. 939.— The Or ifice Closed after Bleeding. 628 DISEASES AND THEIR TREAT ME XT. The Rowel. Rowels are used as counter-irritants in treating deep-seated in- flammations ; and whenever any morbid disease is to be stopped, as in grease and in thrushes, they have long been favorite remedies among horsemen. In applying a rowel, the skin is to be taken up between the finger and thumb, and a cut is made in the skin with the roweling scissors, and with the hook on the handle of the scissors, it is sep- arated from its cellular connections for about two inches, and a dos- sil of tow, or a circular piece of leather, with a hole in it, previously dipped in digestive ointment, is inserted, which must be cleaned and moved every day. A discharge is soon set up, which has a tendency to remove any deep-seated, morbid action. Cm Tr.\cheotomy. It sometimes happens that from the tumefaction of strangles, the impaction of foreign bodies, and other sudden causes of obstruc- tion, the life of the patient is threatened from suffocation. It is found necessary to open the windpipe to avert the untoward result, until the cause of the obstruction be removed. It consists in making an incision through the skin and muscles in the mesian line down on the trachea, or windpipe, cutting through two rings of this tube, and inserting a bent tube, which is usually made of block-tin, with a broad flange, to which tapes or straps are attached to tie it round the neck. It is usually employed to give temporary relief; but I have known horses to work with a tube in the windpipe for years. It must be frequently taken out and cleaned. When the cause of the obstruction is removed, the tube is withdrawn, and the edges of the skin being scarified, they are care- fully brought together, and treated as a simple wound. Embrocations are excernal applications in a liquid form, that are rubbed on a dis- eased part, as in strains and indolent swellings, and as an auxiliary in the treatment of internal inflammation. They are of a stimulating nature, and greatly assisted by friction. Of this kind are opodeldoc, soap liniment, etc. EMBROCATION FOR HARD, I>rDOLENT TUMORS. (No 1.) Olive-oil 4 oz. Camphor 4 dr. Mix. EMBROCATIONS. 629 (No 3.) Mercurial ointment 2 oz. Olive-oil 2 dr. Camphor 2 dr. Embrocations of a more stimulating kind are sometimes em- ployed in swellings of the joints, old strains, or other local affections, such as soap liniment with liquid ammonia, olive-oil, and oil of tur- pentine ; but blisters in such cases are generally more effectual. Embrocations are often improperly employed, as in recent strains, or inflamed tumors, and other cases where emollient or cool- ing applications are required. Both strains and bruises are at first attended with a degree of inflammation proportionate to the vio- lence of the injury, and the susceptibility of the injured part ; there- fore they require, at first, such treatment as is calculated to subdue inflammation, as explained under head of "Sprains," etc. ANODYNE UNMENT. Castile soap 4 troy oz. Spirits of camphor 2 troy oz. Oil of rosemary J oz. Alcohol 2 pt. I Water 4 oz. Good for sprains, bruises, rheumatic pains, etc. LINIMENT OP AM.MONIA, OH VOLATILE LINIMENT. Strong solution of ammonia 1 oz. Olive-oil 2 oz. Mix. To this, camphor or oil of turpentine is sometimes added ; and the solution of ammonia is, for some purposes, joined to the soap liniment. MUSTAKD EMBROCATION. Flour of mustard 4 oz. Liquid ammonia 1 J oz. Oil of turpentine 1 oz. Water, a sufficient quantity to bring it to the consistency of cream. Flour of mustard mixed into a thin paste, with water only, is a powerful stimulant, and may be employed with good effect in cases of internal inflammation, either of the bowels or lungs. SOAP LINIMENT. Hard soap , 1 oz. Camphor 1 oz. Oil of rosemary 1 oz. Rectified spirits 1 pt. Cut up the soap, and let it stand with the spirits until dissolved, then add the rest. Good for sprains, bruises, etc. 636 DISEASES AXD TUEIR TREATMENT. Caustics are substances which burn away the tissues of the body by decom- position of their elements, and are valuable to destroy fungous growth and set up healthy action. They are, consequently, often required to destroy proud flesh, kill the virus in poisoned wounds, stimulate old ulcers, excite healthy action in fistula, and remove warts, tumors, etc. Corrosive sublimate, in powder, acts energetically ; nitrate of silver is excellent to lower granulation ; sulphate of copper is not so strong as the above, but good ; chloride of zinc is a powerful caus- tic, and may be used in sinuses, in solution, seven drachms in a pint of water ; verdigris, either in powder or mixed with lard, is good as an ointment, in proportion of one to three parts. Carrying this treatment to extreme implies using a hot iron, the actual cautery. Vegetable Caustic-^Make a strong lye of hickory or oak ashes, put into an iron kettle, and evaporate to the consistency of thin molasses ; then remove into a sand bath, and continue the evapora- tion to the consistency of honey. Keep it in a stoppered, ground glass jar. This caustic is very valuable in fistulas, cancers, scrofulas, and indolent ulcers, particularly where there are sinuses, necrosis (or de- cay) of bone, and in all cases where there is proud flesh ; and also to excite a healthy action of the parts. It removes fungous flesh without exciting inflammation, and acts but little except on spongy or soft flesh. Rheumatism. When a horse is taken suddenly lame, or appears stiffened, without any apparent cause for it, and especially if the lame- ness seems to shift from one part to another, it may be suspected that it is rheumatism. Horses of a nervous temperament, that arc housed closely and pampered, are most liable to this trouble. It is very important that there should be no exposure to rain or cold, especially after being warmed up ; and, in fact, when there is a tendency to rheumatism, the same care, precautions, and princi- ples of treatment are to be observed that are generally used in hu- man practice. I may refer here to a point in the treatment of rheumatism, of great value, not only to horse owners, but to the profession generally. In conversation with an old veterinary surgeon, of great experience and skill, in speaking of the virtues of aconite in certain derange- ments of the circulation, he stated that years ago his wife had been subject to attacks of rheumatism of the most severe character. RHEUMATISM. 631 There was one physician whose treatment seemed to be wonder- fully successful in giving relief Whenever she was taken suddenly, he was accustomed to immediately call in this physician. The lady being taken with a violent attack, and he going hurriedly for the physician, he found him just leaving to call on a patient that needed his immediate attention. Upon his making known his business, the physician said, " I cannot possibly go now ; but if you will go and get a preparation of aconite [which he described], I guess she will come out all right." Said he, " I went and got the aconite, and gave as directed. She got well, and," he added in a laughing way, " I never went back for him afterward ; and if taken in time, I '11 war- rant it will cure any case of rheumatism." A year or two afterward, being suddenly exposed to a cold, chilling rain, in the fall, without being provided with suitable under- clothing, I was taken with a severe attack of rheumatism in the right side and arm. I was in the country, where I could not obtain any medicine, and was compelled to wait for thirty-six hours, until I reached a point where there was a drug store, and obtained a little of the ordinary tincture of aconite. Of this I took six or eight drops three or four times a day. Within twelve hours I was sensibly re- lieved, and within two or three days I was well. During the suc- ceeding twelve or fourteen years I had several severe attacks, and each time was entirely relieved in from a few hours to a few days, by the use of the same remedy. But I was careful to take it promptly on the first appearance of the trouble. During my professional experience I was constantly subject to rheumatic attacks, there being a constant predisposition to them, compelling me to exercise the greatest precaution. To illustrate some of these attacks and the effects of the remedy, I would mention that there was such a constant inclination to it in the right arm and shoulder that every change of weather would be felt by me. For ex- ample, in Natick, Mass., when getting out of bed in the morning, the arm being strained a little, a violent attack set in, and in an hour or two I could not raise my arm to a horizontal position, the pain being so intense as to be almost unbearable. I immediately obtained a lit- tle aconite, took it as before stated, and by four o'clock that day I could easily raise the arm to the head, and in two or three days the trouble was all gone. The last attack was in the hip, occurring about three years be- fore this writing (1887). It also set in upon getting out of bed in the morning. The pain soon became intense, and I could scarcely walk. This attack seemed so severe that I felt doubtful of being re- lieved by my old remedy. I concluded, however, to try it, and, to 632 DISEASES AND THEIR THEATMENT. my surprise and gratification, in twenty-four hours I was relieved, and in a few days the trouble had disappeared. I give these details, the better to illustrate to my readers the peculiar value of this simple remedy, with the desire to aid them. When, in consequence of a strain, there may be inflammation in the sheath of a tendon, or .any muscular injury, this remedy would be certainly indicated. In one instance where I was strained myself in ridinf,^ a mustanj^ pony, one of the tendons of the right leg was so strained that I was made seriously lame. I supposed of course it would pass off in time, but after a period of three months it became if anything increased, and was a very serious matter. A physician of large experience, whom I consulted, directed me to take small doses of aconite (about six to eight drops of the tincture three times a day). In three days the lameness entirely disappeared, and the pain causing it never returned. Whenever afterward any* of my horses were so injured or strained as to cause lameness, no matter whatever else I did, I gave this remedy in about the same proportion relatively, and there was in all cases a very satisfactory recovery. The remedy prescribed for ])neumonia (p. 485) is about the best preparation, I think, to be used. 1 used, when obtainable, the "fever medicine" recommended in the same chapter, and given also on page 877 in my large book on the horse, with very full facts of its use and manufacture. When rheumatism is suspected, whatever else is done, I would advise giv- ing from twenty-five to thirty drops of this preparation on the tongue, the same as recommended for colds, pleurisy, pneumonia, etc. In one case only that I knew to be a sharp attack of rheuma- tism, (lid I prescribe this when on the road, when there was en- tire relief The ordinary nature and symptoms of and treatment for rheu- matism, as given by our best authorities, are as follows : — Rheumatism is an inflammation of the joints, tendons, ligaments, or muscles, caused by an unhealthy condition of the blood, accom- panied by stiffness and lameness. The inflammation frequently changes its seat, and is rarely followed by suppuration. It is often a result of influenza, colds, and catarrhs, and sometimes is occasioned by exposure to cold and damp. ACUTK RlIKUMATISM, or rheumatic fever, starting with a lameness, with or without swell- ing of a joint, accompanied by dullness, quickened pulse, and heated skin, soon causes a poor appetite, a constipation of the bowels, and high coloring of the urine. An almost constant symptom is ailRONW lUIKUMA TIHM. 633 an affection of the synovial membrane. In severe cases the affected animal stands with difficulty, the limbs are much swollen, and the regions of the joints arc bulged out, soft, and puffy. The remedies for acute rheumatism should be speedy antl ef- fective. The use of salicylic acid, with proper nursing, is recognized as about the best remedy. The followinf^' formulas, in the order given, are highly recommended by Icadiiij^r practitioners : — fialioylio acid 1 '»''■ Hicarbonalc of Hoda ' "Z. Mix in a pint of water or gruel, and give as a drench three or four times a day. Nilrato of potash i f- Powdered coUtliicum ' dr. Oil of tiirimntiiie I oz. To be mixed with linseed-oil and given at one dose, night and morning. Al.so,— Calomel 20 Kr- Quinine 20 (,'r. The following is highly recommended as a liniment : — Compound Boap liniment 10 oz. Ijiquor of ammonia 8 "Z- Tinoture of canlliarides 2 oz. Tincture of opium 2 oz. To be well rubbed in, and the affected limbs incased in warm flannel. Chronic Rheumatism does not change its locality as often as the acute form. This form usually attacks a joint, and results in ulceration of the cartilage and the increase of bony deposit surrounding it. The lameness caused by chronic rheumatism is exceedingly obstinate, and yields only to long-continued treatment. It returns on the least exposure. There is little fever attending this form of the disease, and the general condition of the patient during the continuance of the disease may be good. Hot fomentations, fully explained on page 616, would be the simplest, speediest, and most effective method of relieving severe pain and inflammation. The following remedy may be safely employed : — Carbonate of potawh 1 O"- Nitrate of potash 1 "*■• Iodide of potash 2 dr, Give in a pint ot>two of water ; to be repeated once a day for two or three days, and then omit a day or two, or lessen the amount. €34 DISEASES AND THEIR TREATMENT. Warts. These are very common to horses, and quite annoying to most owners to manage, and it is very important to know how to treat them. Warts are of three kinds. The first is of a cartilaginous nature, and is contained in a sac, or shell, grown from the skin, and when this sac is divided, its contents drop out, leaving a clean cavity, which pretty soon vanishes. The operation is a comparatively painless one. The second kind is also cartilag- inous, but is not in a sac, adhering to the skin, and growing large, with a rough crown and a vascular body. When severely injured, it rarely heals, but ulcerates in a tedious manner. This is the same species of wart usually found on the human hand. The third species is hardly of the same nature as the others, consisting of a cuticular case, inclosing a soft granular substance. When the warts are found to be inclosed in a well-defined cu- ticular shell, the quickest and most humane practice is to take a sharp-pointed knife, and run the blade through each in succession. The edge should be cut away from the skin, and the knife being withdrawn with an upward, cutting motion, the sac and substance are both cut open. The inside may then be easily removed, and the part touched with this solution : — Chloride of zinc 1 gr. Water 1 oz. When the growth proves to be of the fixed cartilaginous kind, it should be at once removed, and this is best done with a knife, and the excrescence should be thoroughly cut away. The bleeding that will follow may be controlled by means of a hot iron. Should excision be objected to, caustics may be applied, such as strong acetic acid, butter of antimony, nitrate of silver, or lunar caustic. (See caustics on page 630.) Afterwards treat as an ordi- nary sore. ADDI770.VAL I'UESC lUl'TIONS. 63£ ADDITIONAL PRESCRIPTIONS. Al.TKRATIVES. I'OWDKKS. No. 1. — Tartar omotio 2 oz. Niter (saltpeter) 4 oz. Mix. Divide into twelve powders, one to be given twice a day in the food. U.seful in catarrh, influenza, and skin diseases. No. 2.— Sulphur 3 oz. Niter 2 oz. Antimony IJ oz. Mix. To be divided intcj six powders, one daily in the food. Useful in skin diseases. No. 1 . — Rarliadoes aloes 10 dr. Castile soap 12 dr. Powdered caraway seed. 13 dr. Powdered ginger 4 dr. Molasses or palm-oil sufficient to form a mass. Divide into six balls, one to be given every morning till the bowels are freely opened. Useful in hide-bound, costive bowels, and skin diseases. Diuretic Alteratives. BALLS. No. 1. — Powdered resin 4 oz. Castile soap 3 oz. Venetian turpentine 2 oz. Powdered caraway sufficient to form the mass. Divide into balls of a convenient size ; one daily, till diuresis is produced. Use- ful in swelled legs, dropsical effusion, weed, etc. Anti-Spasmodics. No. 1. — Sulphuric ether 1 oz. Infusion of opium 2 oz. Pei)|)ermint water 1 oz. Mix. To be given in a quart of cold water. Useful in flatulence, spasm, etc. No. 2. — Ether and chloroform, of each j oz. Tincture of opium 2 oz. Tincture of cardamom 1 oz. To be given in a quart of water. Useful in colic. 630 DISK ASKS AM) Til El 11 Til K AT M EXT. No, il. — HpirilM (if jiiiiiiioiiiii (nroiiiiitic) 2 07,. Diliiln liyilriwyiiiilr, iiclrl 20 (IropH, 'I'iiicliii'i^ of jfiiiK'''' ~ '"■■• To be ^jivcn ill il (|ii;irt of beer, well shiik'cii. Useful in spas- moilic ( olic, etc. ANODYNIO DIlAlIilirr, (ill DIllCNCII. Nil. 'l.--'riii(liirc iif (i|iiiim ' i to 1 o/,. H|iirilH of nilniiiH clIiDr 1 lo 2 oz. 1';hsiii((^ (if pc|i|icrmlnt* 1 to 2 dr. Wnl.T 1 pi. ANoDYNK. ( AllMINATIVK, TINdUIlIC. No. B.- HchI 'l'iirl((?y opliini I oz. (MovcH, liriilwd 2 oz. .Iiiiiiiiicii (fiii(,'cr, liriiiH(!(l n oz. Old CoKiiiu; briiiidy 1 (|l.- While. DuKNcii I'OK Stomach S'ia(;(;ki<,s. No. 1.- UnrhnddcH iil(i(^H 5 dr. to 1 oz. CidiiMicI 2 dr. Od (if pcppcniiiiit 20 dropx. Wiiriii wiitcr I I>1. 'riiicltini of ciirdiimom 2 oz. Mix, .mil y.wr :it (iiic dose. Asri/. Oil (if lnr|>rains, thickened tendf)ns, en- hirfjed (glands, etc. 638 DISEASES AND THEIR TREAT MEXT. Condition Ball. No. 1. — Powdered ginger 1 dr. Powdered gentian 3 dr. Sulphate of iron 2 dr. Molasses sufficient to form a mass. To be made into one ball. Improves the appetite and stimulates digestion. Cordial Drench. No. L — Good old beer (warm) 1 qt. Powdered ginger }oz. Shake well. To be given in exhaustion, and recovery from de- bilitating diseases. Veterinary Aromatic Powder. Powdered caraway seeds 6 oz. Powdered allspice 4 oz. Jamaica ginger, powdered 2 oz. Licorice powder 2 oz. Mix. This is a good cordial powder, and may be given in a dose of two or three drachms in warm ale, in such cases as require the use of cordials. If the form of a ball is preferred, it may be obtained by beating up a dose of the powders with a little molasses. Cough Balls. No. 1. — Calomel 1 dr. Opium 1 dr. Camphor 1 dr. Digitalis 1 dr. Made into a ball, with molasses. One daily, till six are given, when a gentle laxative should be administered. — Dick. No. 2.— Digitalis h . Halter-puUiug, 101, 222. Instances of, 224. Hamill, Prof., on tip shoeing, 335. Harnessing, kicking while, 179. Headstrong stallions, treatment for, 235 Heaves, 466. Heels, opening the, 360. Weak, 374. Hen lice, 595. Herman horse, 234. Herpes, 597. Hetrick horse, 149. High checking, 248. Hind feet, to shoe, 348. Hip lameness, 559. Hip strap, 174. Hitching a colt, 128. To wagon, 121. To stand without, 231. Hives, 593. Hoof-ointment, 600. Horseback riding, 286. Horse distemper, 457. Hot fomentations, 616. Hydrothorax, 490. Idiopathic tetanus, 529. Indiana stallion, 148. Indigestion, 534. Acute, 535. Inflammation of bowels, 502. Bladder, 518. Brain, 520. Eyes, 581. Feet, 536. Kidneys. 516. Lungs, 483. Os pedis, 452. Veins, 590. Influenza, 473. Injury, special causes of, 382. Injuries to the tongue, 574. Insanity, 143. Interfering, 373. Jennings, Dr., on caries of teeth, 463. Jumping out of shafts, 136. Over fences, 273. Kickers in stall, 176. Switching, 170. Runaway, 124. Kicking, 148. Common causes of, 151. Cows, 273. Illustrative cases, 148. In stall, 271. While harnessing, 179. Kicking-straps, 171. Kiss, teaching to, 279. Knees, broken, 562. Knuckling over, 561. Ladies riding, 293. Lameness, navicular-joiut, 432, 556. Foot, 538. Hip, 559. Shoulder, 556. Stifle-joint, 567. Laminitis, 441. Dr. Meyer's treatment of, 446. Dr. Shepard's, 447. Dr. Hamill's, 448. Lampas, 591. Lancaster horse, 150. Laryngitis, 455. Lead, breaking a horse to, 101. Lead a cow easily, to, 274. Leaning over, 221. Leveling feet for shoeing, 339. Lie down, teaching to, 279. Liniments, 629. Lock-jaw, 528. Lowering vitality, 39. Lugging, 190. Lumbricoides, 512. Lungs, congestion of, 480. Lymphangitis, 532. Mad staggers, 520. Maine man's method with bal'iiers, 197. Mallenders, 605. Mammitis, Appendix, 472. Mange, 593. Mansfield mare, 149. Mare, care of in breeding, 298. McBeth, Dr., on spinal meningitis, 525. Mc Bride, Prof., on check-rein, 254. McLellan, Prof., on tip shoeing, 337. Megrims, 522. Meningitis, spinal, 524. Metastasis, 520. Methods of subjection. First, 52. Second, 61. Third, 71. '•Monday morning leg," 532. Mouth, training of, 110. ControUing, 183. Sore, 575. Mud fever or scratches, 597. Mule, treatment of, 263. For saddle gall, 265. WaUiug, 343. CUnching down, 347. Nails, driving in deep, 536. Nails, stepping on, 536. Nasal gleet, 471. Navicular-joint lameness, 432, 556. Necrosis of bone, 413. Neglect of horses when hitched, 261 Nervous system, diseases of, 520. 642 GENERAL INDEX: FART FIRST. Nettle rash, 593. Norwalk horse, 150. Objects, fear of, 138. t)hiections in stabling, 30i. Ointments, 572. Hoof, eoo. Opening the heels, 360. Quarters, Roberge's method, 362. Open joint, 562. Ophthalmia, 5S1. Specific or periodic, 5S3. Osmer on shoeing, 387. Overdraw check, 173. Overloading, 207. Overreaching, 379, 543. Oxyures, 510. PainesviUe horse, 192. Paralysis, 527. Partial, 524. Parasites, 509. Paring foot, evils of, 3f)0. Parturition, 611. Patella, dislocation of, 566. Patent bridle, 99, 1S9, 206, 225. Pawing in stall, 271. Peditis, 452. Penis, injuries and diseases of, 610. Pennington horse, 235. Perforans tendon, strain of, 556. Performing blind horse, 2S4. Peritonitis, 533; Phlebitis, 590. Phlebotomy, 626. Phrenitis, 520. Physical power, resorting to, 38. Physicking, 623. Pink-eye, 475. Plaster, a good adhesive, 572. Pleurisy, 476, 4S6. Pneumonia, 483. Typhoid, 491. Poling a horse, 117. Poll-evU, 57S. Poultices, 618. Prairie hay as food, 307. Prescriptions and recipes, 635. Presentations, abnormal, 611. Pricking in shoeing, 349, 536. Princess, her feet, 329. Principles of treatment, 32. Profuse staling, 517. Putney horse, 149. Pulling upon one rein, 190. Pulse, the, 619. Pyro-puncturing process, 423. Qualities for management of horse, 49. QuarterK^rack, 365. Quittor, 543. Railway cars, fear of, 142. Recipes and prescriptions, 635. Ravenna colt, 150. Reins, driving without, 285. Retention of urine, 519. Rheumatism, 630. Acute, 632. Chronic, 633. Riding horseback, 2S6. Rigs for throwing, 52. Rine-bone, 425. "False, 426. Ring-worm, 596. Vesicular, 597. Roaring, 469. Robe, fear of, 139. Roberts horse, 233. Rolling motion shoe, 364. Rowels, 628. Rucking, 349. Running away, 183. Running back in stall, 230. Saddle and collar galls, 603. Saddle gall in mules, 265. Sallenders, 604. Sand-crack, 369. Scratches, 597, 599. Secret of Dick Christian, 43. Seedy toe, 539. Setons, 627. Shafts, jumping out of, 136. Sheath, foulness of, 610. Shoe, the rolling motion, 364. Shoeing, 329. Foundered horses, 381. Hind feet, 348. Nailing, 343. Pricking and ruckinsr, 349. Tips or thin shoes, 334. Trimming, 338. Shoulder galls, 603. Lameness, 556. Tumor on, 602. Side-bone, or false ring-bone, 426. Sinuses, 570. Skin, diseases of, 592. Ointment for, 600. Skull, injuries to, 520, Sleepy staggers, 520. Sole, bruises of, 540. Sore throat, 455. Sore mouth, 575. Spasmodic colic, 495. Spasmodic actic>D of the diaphragm, 531.. Spavin, 417. Bog, 428. Special causes of injury, 382. Spinal meningitis, 524. Splent, or splint, 415. Spoiled by fright, 132. Spoon bit, different forms of, 186. Sprains, bruises, etc., 548. Sprains of back tendons, 549. Of fetlock, 555. Of perforans tendon, 556. GENERAL INDEX: PART FIRST. 043 Stabling, 301. Stables, veutllatiOD of, 303. Staliug, profuse, ,M7. Staggers, 520. Stalliou.s, 233. Fred Arud horse, 243. Indiaua stallion, 148. Jet, 339. Herman hor.se, 334. Lancaster horse, 150. Roberts horse, 233. Treatment for headstrong, 235. Standing without hitehing, 231. ^ Starting the balker, 19(5. Stepping on nails, glass, etc., 536. Stifle, 566. Stifle-joint lameness, 567. Stomach, the, 534. Acidity of, 534. Strangles, 457. Striughalt, 530. Strongyii, 510. Stumbiing, 381. Subjection, first method, 53. Natures that will not bear It, 60. Instructions for throwing, 55. Second method, 61. Third method, 71. Submission, signs of, 75. Sun-strolie, 533. Superpurgation, 506. Surfeit, 593. Sutures, 571. Sweeney, 558. Swelled legs, 589. Switching kickers, 170. Synovial membrane, danger of cutting in throwing, 101. Tape-worm, 510. Teaching a suUen colt to lead, 126. To follow by the whip, 375. To lead with the whip, 138. To lie down, 279. To stop instantly, 93. To tell his age, 377. Teeth, the, 313. Telling the age by, 313. Tender-bitted, 373. Tendons, back, sprain of, 549. Uivision of, 606. Tenotomy, 605, 006. Tent, dressing with, 569. Teres lumbrici, 509. Tetanus, 538. Idiopathic, 539. Traumatic, 539. Throat-strap to cure cribbing, 367. Thorough-pin, 42S. Thrombus, 591. Throwing, rigs for, 52. Instructions for, 55. Danger in throwing forcibly, 101. Thrush, 540. Thumps, 531. Tips or thin shoes, 334. Toe, fissure in, 369. Tommy, the throwing pony, 383. Tongue, injuries to, 574. Tracheotomy, 628. Training with common halter, 10,7. To lead with whip, 138. To handle the feet, 108. The mouth, 110. Treads, 540. Treatment for very vicious horses, 319. For very vicious stallions, 337. For headstrong stallions, 235. Tricks, teaching, 275. Trichocephalus dispar, 510. Trimming for shoeing, 338. Trocar and cauula, 501. Tumor on shoulder, 602. On point of elljow, 604. Tympanites, 498. Typhoid pneumonia, 491. Umbrella, fear of, 141. lljiper jaw bit, 94. Urine, bloody, 519. Retention of, 519. Urticaria, 593. Veins, inflammation of, 590. Ventilation of stabies, 303. Vertigo, 522. Vesicular ring-worm, 597. Very vicious horses, treatment of, 319, 235, 237. War bridle, 81. Details of its application, 83. Double draw hitch form, 85. In colt training, 107, 118. lu treatment of kickers, 176. Secret of using, 87. With breaking rig, 105. Watering, 311. Water in the chest, 490. Weak heels, 374. Weed, 532. Whip, kind of to use, 229. Wild Pete, 144. Will not back, 190. Will not stand, 201. Wind-broken, 466. Wind-sucking, 269. Wind-galls, 430. Withers, fistula of, 575. " W," or breaking-bit, 88. Point of its use, 93. Worms, 509. Symptoms of, 510. Wounds, 568. Incised, 569. Punctured, 571. Yard, foulness of, 610. Yoautt on colic, 497. \