CHAPTER I.
DISEASES OF THE SKIN and SUBJACENT TISSUE
Abscess—Ulcers—Fistulas
An abscess is a collection of matter. Any tumor softening, or in other words coming to a head, forms an abscess. They are usually the result of injuries, such as a blow or contusion, or may be occasioned by a thorn, nail or splinter entering the flesh. In the more severe cases these act in connection with a constitutional predisposition or peculiar state of the blood.
SYMPTOMS.—A hot and painful swelling; in the earlier stage, hard, and by degrees softening or fluctuating in the center, and gradually approaching the surface, attended with more or less heat and fever, according to its situation and nature.
Abscesses which penetrate deeply along the sheaths of muscles and tendons, or even to the bones are termed FISTULAS. Shallow abscesses are known as ulcers, and these may be mild, readily healing, and secreting a healthy, thick, cream-like pus; or ill-conditioned, unhealthy, secreting a thin sanious discolored matter, and healing with great difficulty. Such are the general characteristics of all abscesses, wherever located, and their situation and extent mark their relative importance and danger.
TREATMENT.—During the inflammatory stage or before softening, while there is merely a hard, more or less hot and painful tumor, we should endeavor to disperse it without its softening. To this end, give three times per day, ten drops of A.A., and also bathe the tumor as often with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL which will frequently disperse it.
But if the swelling increases and fluctuates, or a yellowish spot is observed in its center, denoting the presence of matter, it should be lanced at once, in the most depending portion, and the matter drawn off, and fifteen drops of the I.I., should be given morning and night to facilitate the healing. Apply the VETERINARY OIL to the cut or open sore with end of the finger, three times per day, to facilitate the healing.
For ULCERS or SORES, apply the VETERINARY OIL, as above.
In fistulas where the canal is long and crooked, or runs into cavities of pus, it may be laid open with the knife, so as to heal from the bottom, or better, the VETERINARY OIL may be injected daily, with a small syringe, or the OIL may be inclosed in a _gelatine capsule_ and gently pressed down into the bottom of the cavity, after having pressed out the accumulated matter. The use of the capsule (which may be had for a trifle at the druggists, or from this Company), is the safest and most convenient.
Abscess of the Poll, Poll Evil
Is often from neglect a very formidable disease. It is generally the result of severe injury upon the top of the head, such as the chafing of the bridle or halter, pressure, or a blow against the manger or stall, or frequent hanging back against the headstall.
SYMPTOMS.—At first a tumor forms at the polls or junction of the head and neck. It soon becomes hot, tense and painful; the horse carries his head low; looks to one side; eats but little from the pain of chewing, especially if the food is hard. If the tumor is not dispersed, it comes to a head, either discharges externally, or the matter failing to come to the surface, sinks downward, burrowing along beneath the surface among tendons, ligaments and bones, forming deep and obstinate fistulous ulcers.
TREATMENT.—Before the tumor has softened, give the A.A., fifteen drops three times per day, keep the horse on low diet, and bathe the swelling frequently with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL. This course will usually disperse the swelling or should it fail to do so will limit it to the smallest possible extent.
If the tumor has come to a head, is soft or fluctuating, lance it at once, evacuate the contents, and give fifteen drops of the I.I., morning and night, apply HUMPHREYS’ VETERINARY OIL three times per day to the sore. For old neglected cases apply the VETERINARY OIL, and give I.I., daily.
Fistula of the Withers—Sweeny
This disease very much resembles Poll Evil in the textures involved and the difficulty in curing it. It begins with an inflammation of the connecting tissues of the spinous processes of the dorsal vertebræ and the ultimate formation of an abscess. Being confined by the fascia or ligamentous structures, the matter cannot find its way to the surface, but forms sinuses or pipes, and by the force of gravity, burrows down among the muscles which connect the shoulder with the trunk. Sometimes it consists of a cyst filled with a serum, and then is easy to cure. As the muscles of the withers are connected with all the movements of the neck as well as the back and legs, the disease rapidly increases, and the inflammation extends; the shoulder becomes lower, the ligaments, cartilage, and spinous process are involved, and extensive mischief ensues.
CAUSE.—A badly fitting saddle, and most commonly a side-saddle, which, pressing on the spinous processes of the vertebræ, produces first soreness and subsequent inflammation.
SYMPTOMS.—Swelling and tenderness either on the top of the withers or a little on one side of the spinal process at that point; and in a short time fluctuation under the finger. Should the skin have been much bruised, a circular portion sloughs out and leaves an unhealthy looking sore, from which there is a discharge, and on further examination with a probe we find a cyst from which there is only one outlet, or we find fistulous ducts (“pipes,” in farriers’ language) leading in various directions. In many more advanced cases we only discover a hard tumor on the withers, which will neither suppurate nor disappear by resolution, and to which, although coming under the head of Fistulous Withers, the term is evidently inappropriately applied.
TREATMENT.—First remove the cause by taking off and quite altering the bearing of the saddle. If the swelling is recent and does not fluctuate, thoroughly rub in the VETERINARY OIL, repeating the operation every day, giving a dose of B.B. also morning and night. If a cyst exists and fluctuation is perceptible, it must be opened at the most dependent portion, and the matter drawn off, and the part rubbed with the VETERINARY OIL, and a portion of it injected into the sack or opening every day. If long pipes or sinuses exist, they must also be opened and the VETERINARY OIL injected. Give also, morning and night, I.I. daily.
Dropsy
While dropsy is not a common disease in the horse it is sometimes met with; particularly in horses which are fed on the refuse from sugar factories and distilleries.
It may be caused from improper feeding, or may be only a symptom of some other disease, particularly diseases of the heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.
Dropsy is a morbid accumulation of watery fluid confined to certain parts of the body. The disease is divided into varieties corresponding to the respective localization of the accumulated water, as for instance, anasarca (water in the skin); ascites (water in the abdomen); hydrothorax (water in the chest).
SYMPTOMS.—In the first form (anasarca) it is first noticed on the lower parts of the body, as the legs, under surface of the chest, etc. The skin is swollen and doughy to the touch and retains the impression of the fingers; but is neither painful nor of abnormally high temperature.
In ascites there is a gradual enlargement of the abdomen and when pressed upon, the fluid can be felt to flow from side to side and the part with the water gives a dull sound on being struck. Breathing is quicker and impeded and the appetite diminished, but there is no fever.
In hydrothorax the symptoms are much the same except that it takes place in the region of the chest instead of the abdomen.
TREATMENT.—It will generally be relieved by giving the H.H., in doses of fifteen drops three times per day for trifling cases, or ten drops every three hours for the more severe ones. After a free discharge of urine is established, giving the medicine three times per day will be sufficient.
Eczema
(See also Mange page 23)
In the horse, eczema represents practically all forms of skin disease except the parasitic and is seen in the following forms and regions.
1—A form seen in hot weather and variously known as herpes, lichen, summer or saddle mange, and heat pimples. This occurs under the harness where sweating is most profuse, at first as scabby pimples, after which the hair sticks together and falls, leaving scaly bare patches.
2—Then there is a form of scaly eczema which attacks the head, neck, shoulders, elbows, etc. This is a chronic form, with the production of branny scales with thickening of the skin accompanied by itching.
3—A pustular form which attacks chiefly the skin under the mane and tail. The skin is raw and weeping, while the hair mats together in masses and falls and there is a tendency to the chronic scaly form.
4—Eczema attacking the legs is known as mallenders and sallenders if on the back of the knee, or the front of the hock, while if above the heels, in the bend of the pastern it is known as grease. This is characterized by heat, swelling and redness, followed by a vesiculated weeping surface with the formation of a greasy, offensive discharge, scabs and cracks in the skin, followed by loss of hair. Sometimes the irritant secretion gives rise to production of fungus wart-like granulations, known as “grapes” accompanied by great thickening of the skin and swelling of the limbs.
Eczema probably comes from both external and internal causes. Among the external causes are improper grooming and cleansing of the skin, exposure of the animal to constant rain and the use of irritant soap. Grease may be caused by clipping the hair about the fetlock in cold weather and cleaning before the hair has entirely dried.
Among the internal causes are hereditary disposition, improper diet and use of drugs.
TREATMENT.—First clean the sores, removing all dirt, scabs, etc. For this purpose olive oil is better than water as soap and water are apt to cause further irritation. (If about the tail or mane, clip the hair around the sores). Apply Zinc Ointment at night and morning. Give A.A. three time per day for two days, then I.I. instead of the A.A.
When in the form of “Grease” on the fetlocks, remove the hair from the sores and cleanse them well. In bad cases the application of a bran poultice cleanses them beautifully. Keep the legs as dry as possible. Feed with relaxing or green food, bran mashes, and less stimulating food, especially in the early stage, and give fifteen drops of A.A. Keep the legs as free from dirt as possible. If the horse is not worked let him have exercise daily, and each night and morning after the leg is cleaned apply Zinc Ointment.
Hidebound
This condition is not a disease of itself, but a mere symptom of some other disease, most frequently of the stomach; such as a disordered stomach; poor food, or long exposure to rough, stormy weather. It not unfrequently exists in connection with Glanders, Grease, Founder or old disease of the lungs.
SYMPTOMS.—It manifests itself by the hair looking rough and unthrifty, without its natural smoothness and gloss; and the skin feels hard, firm and fixed to the flesh.
We can most successfully treat it by ascertaining and removing the cause upon which it depends. But in the absence of any special indication, we may give with the best success a dose of fifteen drops of J.K., each morning, and the same of I.I., each night. A few days treatment will generally produce a most marked improvement.
Mange
(See also Eczema page 21)
Mange is a disease of the skin which has much the same appearance as eczema but is caused by parasites while eczema is not.
There are three forms of mange in the horse.
1—Sarcoptic mange caused by a burrowing mite which feeds and propagates in the lower layers of the skin. This form is usually found on the head, neck, shoulders and outer parts of the body.
2—Dermatodecic mange caused by sucking mites which live on the outer layers of the skin and suck up serum and lymph. This form is usually found on the inside of the thighs, root of the mane and tail, sheat, etc.
3—Symbiotic mange caused by scale eating mites which live and feed on the surface of the skin. This form is usually found on the feet and pasterns.
The last two varieties of mites can be seen by the naked eye but better by a magnifying glass. The first variety can be seen only by a glass and that with difficulty due to their burrowing under the skin.
One should be careful to distinguish mange from eczema as the origin and treatment of the two diseases are quite different, although the eruption looks much the same in each case.
1—Eczema is much more common in the horse than mange.
2—In mange there is a more definite boundary to the patches than in eczema.
3—In mange the itching is much more intense.
4—The actual discovery of the parasites by the aid of the magnifying glass is of course the final test.
TREATMENT.—Consists of clipping the hair around the infected patches, then cleaning them with oil or glycerine containing five per cent of creolin or lysol. Then apply a thick lather of green soap and leave on for twenty-four hours. This is to soften the scabs and prepare the skin for the actual remedy. For this purpose sulphur ointment (equal parts of sulphur and lard) is an old standby or a three per cent solution of creolin or lysol is good. The remedy must be thoroughly rubbed with a brush into the infected parts and when rubbed off by the animal reapplied for a period of a week. Then wash off and repeat the treatment two or three times.
In addition to this the horse should be removed from the other animals and all stalls, blankets, etc., that he has used should be cleaned by boiling water and a five per cent solution of creolin and lysol. This is necessary in order to destroy the mites which remain on such articles and which might infect the other animals or reinfect the horse.
Swelled Legs
This affection is of frequent occurrence in horses, and is more especially observed in coarse and badly groomed animals. The hind legs are most subject to it, although it frequently extends to the fore legs. Sometimes from metastasis of disease from other parts, the legs swell to an enormous degree, and it is attended with some degree of heat, tenderness, and peculiar lameness. The pulse is quickened, and there is evident fever. In such cases there is some inflammation of the cellular tissue, and an effusion of fluid forming the swelling. In these cases when there is heat and tenderness, a few doses of fifteen drops each of A. A., for FEVER, will soon relieve the lameness and swelling. If the legs are swelled without being lame or painful, the I.I., should be given morning and night, with careful grooming and exercise, this will soon reduce the swelling. If the swelling is accompanied with SCANTY URINATION, the H.H., given three times per day is the proper remedy for the difficulty. Sometimes swelled legs are merely the result of a change of feed, and hence often occur in spring and fall, or when horses are taken from pasture and confined in close stables. Consult also GREASE or SCRATCHES.
Swelling of the Teats
Sometimes from cold or injury, the teats in mares are subject to inflammatory swelling. A few doses, ten drops each, of A. A., for FEVER, will relieve, and if the parts seem quite tender, bathe them with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL or apply the VETERINARY OIL.
Ringworm
Ringworm is a disease caused by a vegetable parasite, or fungus, which lives on hair follicles and the hair itself.
SYMPTOMS.—It makes its appearance most frequently on the seat of the saddle, on the croup or flanks and sometimes on the head. The spots range in size from a dime to a half dollar and usually form a fairly regular circle. The hair has fallen out or is broken off and there is a scaling of the skin inside the circle. The surrounding hair can easily be pulled out. Itching is generally absent.
TREATMENT.—Same as for mange. (See Mange page 23).
Lice
Horses taken up from a straw yard, with long, shaggy coats, in poor condition, are sometimes found infested with lice.
CAUSE.—Contagion.
SYMPTOMS.—The animal is seen continually biting his sides and quarters, rubs himself against walls and posts, or anything within his reach, denuding the skin of hair in patches and making it bleed. On close examination we have no difficulty in discovering the lice in bare patches.
TREATMENT.—The horse should be removed from the other animals. The stalls, blankets, etc., that he has used should be thoroughly cleaned by boiling water and a five per cent solution of creolin or lysol, to destroy the lice which will cling to stalls, blankets, etc.
The horse should be washed with green soap and water and kerosene (Coal Oil) should be applied night and morning for two days and then removed by soap and water. This must be done three times at intervals of a week, in order to kill the new generations of lice which hatch from the eggs in about six days.
Tubercles
These small, sluggish swellings are caused by friction, contusion, cold, stings of insects, internal disease, etc.
TREATMENT.—If they are the result of external violence, HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL or VETERINARY OIL, applied externally, is beneficial. The I. I., may be given with advantage morning and night.
Sponge
This term is given to a round, spongy excresence on the knee, generally caused by some external injury. It is at first a hot, painful swelling; then becomes a cold, hard, indolent tumor. It sometimes occasions considerable itching and emits purulent matter.
TREATMENT.—If sponge arises from some injury, the VETERINARY OIL should be well rubbed in, two or three times a day; or applied morning and night; at the same time, also administer I. I., morning and night.
Sweating
Sometimes on very moderate exercise, horses sweat to excess. It is often the result of weakness, poor food or some internal condition. Give J.K., a few times, in doses of fifteen drops, morning and night.
Tumors, Swellings
Any unusual or morbid growth or enlargement may be termed a tumor, and when one is found upon any part of an animal, care should be taken to ascertain, if possible, its nature and cause. They are variously named, according to their locality and the nature of their contents.
Sometimes they are globular or conical, or again flattened, or again pedunculated (having a neck). Some are quite firm and hard, others spongy, and others contain fluid.
Encysted Tumors (so called because the enlargement is closed in a sack) are frequent, more or less round, movable beneath the skin, painless, and sometimes attain to a considerable size. They are the result of some internal cause not easily defined.
TREATMENT.—In all cases where a tumor or swelling is hot or painful, give A.A., every two, four or six hours, in doses of fifteen drops, according to the urgency of the case. Keep the animals on low diet and thus seek to disperse it. If caused by external pressure or injury, annoint the part frequently with VETERINARY OIL. If the tumor, notwithstanding the treatment, has softened, grows whitish at some point, painful and smaller, open it, then treat it as an ulcer, giving I.I., morning and night.
In case of _cold tumors_ or hot tumors, after the heat has been reduced, simply give I.I., at night, or noon and night, and the J.K., in the morning, in doses of fifteen drops, until the tumor is dispersed or the condition favoring the production is destroyed. Encysted and fatty tumors will generally have to be taken out by the knife and the opening annointed with VETERINARY OIL and again neatly brought together to prevent a scar.
Warts
Warts are so well known as to require no description. Certain horses and young animals are most subject to them. They vary in size and appearance, are smooth or shaggy, pedunculated or have a large base and some are soft, moist or spongy. They sometimes arise after chafing or an injury, but depend essentially upon an internal cause.
TREATMENT.—Give I.I. in doses of fifteen drops, every two or three days for a few weeks, this should cause their entire disappearance. Apply also daily the VETERINARY OIL, scraping off the rough outside of the wart with the thumb nail before or while applying the OIL.