CHAPTER VI.—PART I.

DISEASES OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM

Apoplexy

Occasionally, in consequence of high feeding and deficient exercise, and especially in fat young horses, with short necks and large blood-vessels, this disease occurs. It may also come on in consequence of drawing a heavy load up a hill. It is predisposed by an overloaded stomach.

SYMPTOMS.—In apoplexy, the horse either suddenly falls down lifeless, or there are premonitory symptoms, such as vertigo, the animal holds his head down, or leans it upon something, yawns, perspires slightly, and moves clumsily, etc. Afterwards, the animal falls down suddenly, the circulation becomes disturbed and irregular, eyes red, protruded, and staring; breathing labored, short, rattling; body covered with sweat, and eyelids paralyzed. After a few convulsions the animal dies; or, in rare cases, an improvement takes place, to be again, after a longer or shorter period of time, followed by relapse, or to result in paralysis. (Compare the symptoms with those of Epilepsy).

TREATMENT.—So soon as any of the premonitory symptoms are observed, give fifteen drops of A.A. at once, and repeat the dose every one, two or three hours, until the animal is relieved, and then at longer intervals. If the horse falls under an attack of the disease, give of the above Remedy at once, and repeat the dose every half hour or hour; remove the harness, etc., and from time to time pour some cold water upon the head, not too much or too violently, while you also give the medicine internally. Injections of salt and water also may be of decided advantage.

Epilepsy

This disease sometimes appears in the horse, and manifests itself in the following manner: the animal suddenly trembles, remains standing for an instant with legs spread out, staggers, and then falls; convulsions ensue; he kicks, rolls, and twists himself about, grinds his teeth, passes his dung and urine involuntarily, froths at the mouth, the motions of the eye are spasmodic, irregular, and the respiration loud, painful and sobbing. After a while he becomes quiet, breathing regular, and he gradually comes to himself as if coming out of a dream. The duration of a fit varies from a few minutes to a half hour. The attacks return again at periods varying from a few days to several weeks or months, generally coming at shorter intervals. Epilepsy differs from apoplexy as spasm differs from paralysis, and a little attention will not fail to distinguish them.

The causes are deep-seated changes in the nervous organism, and they are rarely curable.

TREATMENT.—Give, on any premonitions of an attack, fifteen drops of A.A. at once, and you will usually ward it off. For an attack, put a few drops in the mouth as soon as you can safely do it, and repeat it every half hour or hour, until the paroxysm is ended. Afterwards, always give one dose to prevent a return.

Vertigo, Megrims, Blind Staggers

This is rather a frequent affection of the horse, and is a consequence of an undue pressure or rush of blood to the head, in most cases also excited by indigestion or over-fullness of the stomach.

In the milder cases, the horse stops suddenly, shakes his head or even staggers in evident giddiness and half-unconsciousness for a moment, and then goes on again as if nothing had happened. In more severe cases, he stops suddenly, shakes his head, falls or drops down, or after a few unconscious turns and a violent struggle, will become insensible, and then rise up and go on again; such attacks closely simulate true epilepsy.

TREATMENT.—In all similar cases, whether incipient or fully developed, give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat it every quarter or half hour, until the animal is relieved, or for twelve or twenty-four hours, and then at intervals of say four hours, alternate it with J.K., until restored. When this dozing, stupid condition mentioned above is present, indicating evident congestion to the head, fifteen drops of A.A., each morning and noon, and the same of J.K., at night, will soon restore the animal again.

Paralysis

Paralysis, entire or partial loss of nervous power over the muscles of certain parts or portions of the body, occasionally occurs in the horse as a consequence of mechanical injuries, severe cold, or some internal cause.

When occurring in the face, the muscles of one side lose the power of motion; the lips hang down, and seem swollen, are drawn to one side, or pulled upward; food is picked up and retained with difficulty, mastication is imperfect, and food drops readily from the mouth. Sometimes there is no feeling in the face or lips.

When the hinder part of the body is paralized, the horse is unable to rise or stand, sits on his haunches like a dog, constipation and arrest of urination are apt to be present. In slighter cases, the hind legs sway about clumsily or he drags them after him, or even walks on his fetlocks.

TREATMENT.—The first course in case of recent paralysis, is to give fifteen drops of A.A., every two hours, which continue one day; then give fifteen drops of J.K., every four or six hours, according to the circumstances, until relieved, and then morning and night for a time.

Inflammation of the Brain, Phrenitis. Mad Staggers.

This disease is most frequently met with in entire horses, and attacks especially those that are ardent, in high condition, but little worked; and it is liable to be excited by a chill after being over-heated or over-worked in hot weather. It may also arise from blows or similar injuries on the head.

SYMPTOMS.—In some cases it comes on slowly; the horse is dull and sleepy; rests his head on the manger, or places it against the wall or between his legs, and falls asleep. In this state he will, perhaps, stagger and almost fall to the ground; he, however, wakes up, stares about him, takes a mouthful of hay, chews it slowly, and ere long is again dozing or fast asleep. The eyelids are nearly closed; the eyes and nose red; the pupils dilated; the bowels bound, and pulse slower than in health. This is the congestive stage, and may continue until the animal recovers or dies; but, in general, other symptoms appear to which the name Mad Staggers may be more appropriately applied. In such cases the pulse rises; the breathing is quickened; the nose and eyes are very red; nostrils widened; the eyes have a wild, fierce look; the feet are stamped, as if in passion; he plunges about the stall, rears upward, strikes out with his fore-feet, and falls backward upon the ground, where he lies panting and covered with sweat; his eyes are thrust forward out of their sockets, and rattles are heard in the throat. Towards the end these violent paroxysms are repeated from time to time, and it is very dangerous to approach or go near him. At last, he is so weak and prostrate that he cannot rise, and amidst convulsions, strangling, foaming at the mouth, sweating, and panting for breath, the animal dies.

TREATMENT.—The treatment will not be difficult, or the result doubtful, during the congestive stage; but in the fully developed or phrentic stage, quite so in both respects. The A.A., is the principal dependence, and a dose of fifteen drops may be given every two or three hours, at first, and as the horse improves, the intervals may be somewhat prolonged. Continue this treatment steadily and without deviation. During the paroxysms, the medicine may be given by means of a small glass syringe, or the Medicator used in a similar manner. After the more intense symptoms have passed over, some doses of J.K., alternately with that of A. A., will be of value, giving one in the morning and the other at night.

_Concussion of the brain_, inducing symptoms and a condition not essentially varying from the above, requires the same treatment, together with such external applications as the wound may require.

Tetanus, or Lock-Jaw

This disease is more common in the horse than in other domestic animals. It consists of a muscular spasm of the jaw (whence its name), which usually from thence extends to all the muscles of the body. It always occurs in consequence of an injury or wound, such as broken knees, open joints, severe bruises, nicked or docked tail, castration, wounds of the feet, prick of a nail, or even the galling of a crupper, through which opening the tetanus germ enters the body.

The germ of tetanus flourishes without air (anaerobic) and, outside of the body, lives in soil and manure.

SYMPTOMS.—In general it comes on very slowly, but also, in some cases, with great violence. The muscles of the neck and jaw are first affected, so that the horse has great difficulty in swallowing and turning his neck. The muscles then become quite stiff; the mouth is nearly closed; the jaws cannot be parted, and little or no food can be taken into the mouth. By degrees all the muscles become affected I with the same stiffness and cramp; the eyes are still and staring, pulled back into their sockets, and squinted outward, and the haw is thrust forward; the neck can not be bent and the muscles feel hard and firm, the head can not be raised or lowered, and is held forward, with the nose stretched out; the nostrils are expanded; the ears pointed forward, erect, and fixed; the lips are firmly stretched across the teeth, which are partly seen; the saliva flows from the mouth; and the horse looks anxious, and can scarcely move, the belly is hard and tucked up; the tail is lifted up and held straight out, anti in constant tremble; the legs are firmly fixed to the ground, and spread out from each other; the bowels are bound, and urine passed with difficulty; the breathing is quickened, labored and convulsive; the pulse is disturbed easily by frightening or speaking angrily to the horse, and it becomes afterward weak and trembling. While the spasm of the muscles continue, the animal is in constant pain, although it is less severe at some times than others.

TREATMENT.—Where a wound or injury has taken place, and tetanus supervenes, it will be, of course, traced directly to this, and the wound should at once be treated as recommended for that particular case. If the discharge has suddenly stopped, it should be reproduced by mild, warm applications to the part.

To relieve the local injury before mentioned, the bran poultice is usually best, and should be applied quite warm, and repeated every two or four hours, or when it gets dry or cold. Look carefully and see if a nail has been driven into the quick of the foot or some such injury done, and always relieve the local injury as far as possible. The horse should be treated with the greatest possible kindness and not be handled roughly or unkindly. The groom must not shout or speak angrily, and too much light must not be admitted to the stable for the same reason. Everything must be done in the most kind and quiet manner possible, as you have here not only a muscular spasm, but a congested condition of the brain also. Before giving the medicine, the lips, mouth and tongue, should be cleaned with a cool, wet cloth or rag, and the saliva or mucus cleared away. If the tongue or lips are dry, moisten them freely with cold water before giving the medicine. Bathe the head and neck freely and the stiffened muscles along the sides of the neck, from time to time, with HUMPHREYS’ MARVEL WITCH HAZEL, and it will be well to inject into the anus a quart of linseed or olive oil to quicken the movements of the bowels.

At the first indication of any _stiffness_ of the _jaws_, or _contraction_ of the _eye-brows_ or any _other muscle_, which are usually the earlier symptoms of Lock-jaw, give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat the dose every hour.

If the disease has been occasioned by a _prick of the foot_ or any injury of any _tendon_ or like structure, give B.B., in alternation with A.A. In like manner the H.H. may be indicated and given in alternation with the A.A., where the kidneys have been implicated in the cause and there is _scanty_, _suppressed_, or _difficult Staling_ as the result.

FOOD.—When the jaws are firmly set, no food can be given, but there are times when the spasms relax, and the jaws are rather wider apart than at other periods. Green food and gruel may then be offered to the horse. When the jaws become more open, he may have bran-tea, clover-tea, or hay tea, gruel and such similar food. If the jaws cannot be opened, or he cannot swallow, meal or oatmeal gruel may be injected, by means of a large syringe, into the fundament, and life be thus prolonged and a chance thus given for the REMEDY to act.

Care must be taken to feed sparingly when recovering, or indigestion and a fatal relapse may be the consequence.

Spinal Meningitis

This disease has become quite common in late years, sometimes appearing in isolated cases, but more frequently prevailing in certain cities or sections of country; and to such an extent as to warrant the idea of an epizootic influence. Often a large number of horses in a City, County or State, are more or less seriously attacked. It is mostly observed in the Winter and Spring, and is favored by changeable weather, damp or too close stables. Epizootics of this disease have also been observed in low-lying sandy regions, doubtless favored if not caused by hauling heavy loads over deep sandy roads and being exposed when heated and sore from such effort to cold drenching rains. The disease having once been developed from such conditions readily extends itself without the originating conditions being present. It is also more common among mares, from their being over-worked or strained when in heat.

THE EARLIER SYMPTOMS ARE: Dullness, indisposition to move, head hanging low, and evident pain and stiffness on moving, and especially on being turned around. It loses intelligence and takes no notice of things going on around him. There is more or less tenderness and shrinking on pressure on some portion of the spine or along the entire spine, from the hips forward, or on each side over the kidneys. The animal does not stand or move firmly, but sways from side to side or staggers in walking, or seems to drag the hind legs after him, or is easily pushed one side, or even over, or leans against the stall when standing. Finally the back gives out, and the horse falls down, or cannot rise; he has no strength in the hind legs. The pulse at first is not much, or but slightly increased in frequency or force, but by degrees becomes more rapid. The urine is often scanty or suppressed, the dung dry, and the animal has from the first a distressed, suffering look.

When the disease has attained its height, the pulse becomes quick and the temperature raised, and there is swelling of the throat and congestion of the lungs, and in some cases high delirium. Later there is increasing stiffness, paralysis and death.

The disease is frequently fatal in the more severe cases, in two or three days, but often continues from seven to ten days, and recoveries are usually quite slow.

TREATMENT.—A.A. should be given in doses of fifteen drops at first, every hour; then, after six or eight hours—the intervals may be every two hours, and as the animal improves, the intervals between doses may be prolonged to three hours.

If during the disease, THE URINE, or staling should become _very scanty_, or be passed _with difficulty_, or _with straining_, or BE SUPPRESSED, then the H.H., for urinary or kidney affections, should be given, a dose of fifteen drops, in alternation with the A.A. That is, give the A.A., and after two hours, give the H.H., then after two hours again give the A.A., and so on until the secretion of water is fully established, when the H.H. may be discontinued.

AFTER THE MORE URGENT STAGE OF THE DISEASE HAS PASSED OVER, the heat and fever mostly gone, and there yet remains SOME WEAKNESS OR PARTIAL PARALYSIS OF THE LOINS, indicated by swaying, tottering or shambling gait, the J.K. should be given at intervals of six hours. It is the special remedy for partial or complete paralysis, or for the weakness and debility after sickness.

The horse should have a loose box, or wide, roomy stall, well littered and reasonably warm, and in cool or cold weather, be well covered with blankets, and his legs should be occasionally well hand rubbed. Let him have bran mashes, or carrot tea, and pick at some good hay. The animal should not be exercised or worked too soon after recovery.