CHAPTER VIII.—PART I.
DISEASES OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS
Dentition or Difficult Teething
The cutting or shedding of the teeth, and especially of the tushes, is sometimes attended with considerable disorder of the body. The animal either will not eat his food, or he has pain and difficulty in chewing it; the body grows thin; bowels are out of order; humors may break out in the skin, and there may be cough and slight fever present. The gum is hot, painful and swelled.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., three times per day. This soon relieves the feverish irritation, and the tooth usually makes its way quietly to the surface. Nicking the gum directly over the tooth in the form of a cross is sometimes beneficial. If teeth are very slow in coming, showing an evident deficiency of bony deposit, an oyster shell burned to lime, and broken or ground in his feed, will promote the growth and production of bone, and be of service.
Diseased or Irregular Teeth
Sometimes the teeth of a horse present irregularities. Some of the teeth are too long, or become ragged. As a consequence, the tongue or cheeks are wounded, and the horse eats imperfectly, has pain, drops or “quids” his food. Whenever this condition is found, if the difficulty does not mend itself, the long teeth should be extracted if loose, or be filed down, and the points of the ragged teeth smoothed off.
Decayed teeth produce similar symptoms. In addition, a bad smell exudes from the mouth; stringy saliva flows away in large quantities, and the eyes may be inflamed. If allowed to remain, the fang may become diseased, the socket and gum inflame, an abscess form, and a portion of the jaw-bone may die. If in the upper jaw, the matter may burst into the nose and be discharged. It is of bad smell and color, and has been mistaken for nasal gleet and glanders.
_Examine carefully with the finger_, and by feeling along the jaw, see if there is any swelling or indentation, or if there is any old stub or loosened tooth, a milk tooth that has been pushed one side, or down, or is loose, making the gum inflamed or painful and preventing the animal from properly eating his food. If so, remove the stub or loose tooth, or file off the ragged portion, so that the mouth may become sound and healthy. Sometimes a thick, unhealthy discharge from the nostrils has been mistaken for glanders, when the real difficulty was from diseased teeth.
TREATMENT.—Draw out the diseased tooth, and give fifteen drops of A.A., each morning, and the same dose of C.C., at night, for several days.
Lampas
Occasionally the bars of the mouth swell and rise to a level with, and even beyond, the teeth, occasioning soreness, pain, and difficulty of eating. It is most common in young horses, in connection with the cutting and shedding of teeth, from congestion and the extension of the inflammation of the gums during this process. It also occurs in old horses; for the growth of teeth in horses continues during life. Derangement of stomach, or worms, is sometimes connected with it.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of A.A., two or three times per day. This will soon relieve the irritation and swelling. Should there be any derangement of the digestive organs, a few doses of J.K., given morning and night, will promptly relieve not only the derangement of the stomach, but the Lampas also.
Swelling or soreness of the gums will be promptly relieved by giving fifteen drops of J.K., daily, or even, morning and night.
The searing of the bars with a hot iron, as is sometimes practiced by cruel and ignorant smith’s, cannot be too strongly condemned. It tortures the horse to no purpose, renders the mouth callous, and destroys the delicacy and sensibility of a part upon which all the pleasure of driving and riding consists, while it is totally unnecessary.
Crib-Biting
Much has been written about crib-biting or wind sucking. It has sometimes been regarded as a vicious habit and at other times as connected with indigestion. However, there is much better basis for believing it to be a bad habit than anything else.
Horses that are worked regularly every day rarely develop it; and it is only among horses which are only used occasionally, and which stand for long hours in the stall, that we find it. Also in a stable of the latter kind if one horse starts it the others soon follow his example.
TREATMENT.—Many things have been tried, but the best results have been obtained by giving the horse plenty of regular work. If there is any disturbance of the digestive organs which has been occasioned by the wind sucking J.K. would be the proper remedy.
Loss of Appetite
Loss of appetite, or diminished appetite, is but a mere symptom of some more general affection. It is a symptom of almost every disease, and especially of every morbid condition of the digestive organs. There are cases, however, in which this seems the most prominent symptom; and the animal appears well in every other respect, save that he does not eat. The teeth should be examined, and, if needful, corrected. We should see also if the throat is sore. In general, loss of appetite will be found connected with a morbid or unhealthy condition of the digestive organs, and will yield to a few doses of J.K., fifteen drops, morning and night. This is also the appropriate remedy for defective appetite or the weakness which often remains after acute disease.
Ill Condition, Indigestion
In consequence of over-feeding, bad food, suddenly changing the kind of food, working the horse too soon after eating too much food, or bad and uneven teeth, which prevent the horse from chewing his food well, the following condition presents itself:
SYMPTOMS.—The skin has the condition known as hidebound; the horse sweats easily; he is weak, and cannot work so long or with so much spirit as in health; he is thin and does not fatten; his tongue is foul; mouth slimy; the dung is dry, mixed with undigested oats, or it is slimy or bad smelling; the water is variable, scanty and thick, or clear and abundant, and there is a short, frequent cough. Sometimes he eats very greedily, and at others will eat nothing placed before him, or will take one kind of food and leave another, or he likes dirty straw or his bedding better than the best oats or hay, or, in some instances, his morbid appetite leads him to lick the wall or eat plaster from it.
It is sometimes accompanied by dullness or dizziness (stomach staggers).
TREATMENT.—Correct the feeding. Give not too much, and only that most acceptable at first. Give J.K., three times per day for a week, then J.K. morning and noon, and I.I., at night.
Colic
This is one of the most common diseases of the horse. The passage of food along the bowels is effected by the alternate contraction and relaxation of the muscular coat of the intestines. Hence it is easy to perceive that flatulent or irritating food, food in too large quantities, large quantities of green food that produce much gas, masses of hard, dry dung, or sudden chill upon the warm skin, all may produce irregular contraction of the intestines, and hence produce pain and colic. Tumors, worms and stones also produce the same result.
SYMPTOMS.—In colic the attack begins suddenly. The animal is uneasy; shifts his position, paws or stamps the ground, kicks his belly with his hind feet, looks frequently at his flanks, groans, falls upon the ground and rolls about violently, or lies on his back, in which posture he remains for a short time, seeming quiet and free from pain. Soon, however, the pain comes on again, even with symptoms of greater intensity than before. He throws himself widely about, careless of the injuries he receives during these moments of agony and tossing. He grinds his teeth, bites the manger, and looks towards his flanks with a wild, anxious expression. If he improves, the paroxysms become less frequent and less violent, and free intervals longer, until entire relief; or if worse, the pain becomes more and more intense, paroxysms more frequent, until there is no free intervals; inflammation results, the ears and legs become cold, pulse small and wiry, and the animal dies from the results of the inflammation.
Many of the symptoms of colic are similar to those of inflammation of the bowels, and as the latter is by far the most formidable disease, we will endeavor to distinguish them, so as to avoid mistake.
The attack of colic is sudden, while that of inflammation is more gradual. In colic, the pulse is rarely quickened, and never so early in the disease, while in inflammation it is very quick and small even from the first.
In colic, the legs and ears are of the natural temperature. In inflammation, they are cold. In colic, there is relief from rubbing the bowels, and from motion. In Inflammation, the bowels are very tender, and motion vastly augments the pain. In colic, there are intervals of rest, while in inflammation there is constant pain. In colic, the strength is scarcely affected, while in inflammation there is great and rapidly increasing weakness.
Attention to these peculiarities will enable one to distinguish between the two diseases, and to avoid error in the treatment.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of F.F., on the tongue, and repeat the dose every half, or even quarter of an hour, until relieved, omitting the medicine altogether, or giving it at longer intervals as soon as the amendment is perceived. We have in the F.F., a remedy which rarely fails to arrest this disease.
If, at the commencement or during the progress of the disease, fever and inflammatory symptoms should also exist, then alternate the A.A., with the F.F., at the intervals mentioned.
If the attack has clearly been occasioned by an _over-feed_, or by bad, heavy, indigestible food, it will be best to alternate the J.K., with F.F., at the intervals directed.
The colic not unfrequently comes from the kidneys, which may be suspected by the horse making frequent attempts at staling, or his passing scanty, thick or bloody urine. In these cases, give fifteen drops of H.H., every half hour, alone or in alternation, with the A.A.
Should there be suspicion that Bots or Worms are an exciting cause, the D.D., may be alternated with F.F., fifteen drops every half hour or hour.
N. B.—In cases of colic the greatest danger and the worst possible fault is injudicious haste and giving _too many and improper things_. Thousands of horses are killed by the drugs given to cure colic where one dies of the disease itself. Give only HUMPHREYS’ REMEDIES, and at the intervals as directed, however urgent as the case may appear. Your success and safety are in following the directions implicitly.
Tympanitis, Drum-Belly, or Wind-Colic
This is merely a form of colic characterized by an enormous production of flatulence. The pain is sharper, the animal more furious and violent than in ordinary colic; the belly on both sides is more or less swelled with wind; there are rumbling noises and frequent discharges of wind. It is usually the result of eating or gorging with green, flatulent food.
TREATMENT.—Give fifteen drops of F.F., every half hour, or even more frequently if the case is very urgent. It will soon be relieved. Afterwards, a few doses of J.K., fifteen drops morning and night, will be of benefit.
Enteritis, Inflammation of the Bowels, Red Colic
There are two varieties of this disease, one in which the external coats of the intestines are inflamed, and attended with constipation, and the other, in which there is irritation of the internal mucous surface of the intestines, and attended with purging.
The most frequent CAUSE is sudden cold upon a warm, perspiring skin, or even a cold drink when very hot; over-fed horses, subjected to long and severe exercise, are most liable to it; stones and hard dung in the bowels; and especially colic badly treated, and drugged with all sorts of medicines, often terminates in Inflammation of the Bowels.
The symptoms of this disease are very like those of colic, only in the latter disease there are intervals of rest, or cessation of pain, and there is little or no alteration of the pulse; whilst in inflammation of the bowels there is _no abatement of the pain_, but the animal is continually lying down and rolling about, getting up and then dropping down suddenly. The pulse is very much quickened, small and hard; the artery appears like a cord, under the finger; the extremities are cold; the animal frequently turns his head toward the flanks; the abdomen is hard and tender; as the disease advances, the breathing becomes accelerated, the eyes staring and wild, the pulse imperceptible at the jaw; a cold sweat breaks out over the whole body. This state continues for some time, when suddenly the animal appears to get better, he gets up, and stands quietly; the eyes lose their lustre, the extremities become deadly cold, there is a tremulous agitation of the muscles, particularly the fore part of the body; after a short time, he begins to totter and stagger about, and soon falls down headlong, and dies.
SYMPTOMS.—The disease begins, in most cases, with dullness, heavy eyes, staring coat, restlessness and moving about from one place to another; the pulse and breathing are both quickened; no appetite. Some cases begin with colic, others with shivering. The animal paws, kicks, and rolls about in the most violent manner at first; often strains and tries to pass water, but either none or only a few drops come away; the pain is most intense, and does not cease for an instant, and is increased by pressure and moving about; the belly is hot, tucked up, and hard, unless there is wind in the bowels, when it will be more or less swelled; the bowels are very costive, though small, hard, dry masses may be passed, except in cases where the internal surface, or mucous membrane, is the seat of disease, in which case small, purging, bloody stools are frequently passed; the legs and ears are intensely cold; the pulse small and hard; and sweat in the latter stages breaks out all over. Still further on, the pulse becomes smaller and weaker, until it can scarcely be felt; the breathing is quick, irregular, and attended with sighs; the skin is covered with a cold, clammy sweat; the eyes seem to have lost their power of seeing, he becomes very weak; and trembles all over; convulsions come on, and death soon follows.
Consider carefully the distinctions between Colic and inflammation, as given under the article on Colic.
TREATMENT.—As early as possible, give fifteen drops of A.A., and repeat the doses every half hour. After the animal is somewhat relieved, continue the medicine at longer intervals. If not better in two hours, the F.F., may be alternated with the A.A., at the intervals mentioned. This will be especially indicated if there should be frequent purging small stools, blood-stained or otherwise. After the inflammatory symptoms have subsided, give a dose or two of the J.K.
N. B.—As constipation exists in inflammation of the bowels, many persons suppose it to be the cause of the disease, and resort to the most desperate means to remove it. This is all wrong. Remove the inflammation, and the bowels will then move of themselves, while the balls and cathartics administered during the inflammation will only increase the difficulty.
Peritonitis, Inflammation of the Peritoneum
The delicate membrane lining the abdominal cavity, and covering the parts within it, is termed the peritoneum, and is occasionally the subject of inflammation.
It not unfrequently follows the gelding of the horse, especially if he is too soon afterwards turned out to grass, or during cold and wet weather. Exposure to cold standing in draughts of air, or drinking cold water may produce it; and it follows a stab in the belly or a rupture of some of the viscera, and the flow of the contents into the abdomen.
SYMPTOMS.—A few days after cutting the colt, the yard and sheath will be found swelled and painful; little or no matter flows from the cut; the animal is restless and uneasy; the body is painful when pressed against, and is swelled with watery fluid; the legs are cold; the bowels are bound; the skin is rough and dry; no food is eaten; if loose, he rests his hind quarters on the side of the stall; the swelling in the breast, legs and sheath increases; the breathing becomes quick and painful; the pulse hard, quick, and by degrees small and weak. These gradually become worse, until the animal dies.
There is a slow form of this disease, as follows: poor appetite; low spirits; uneasiness; occasional pawing the ground; looking at the belly and groaning; belly painful when pressed upon, and tucked up; quick breathing; small, weak pulse; bound bowels; awkward way of walking with the hind legs; mouth dry; and bad smelling; body thin; coat staring and unthrifty; urine scanty; weakness. As the disease advances, the abdomen fills with a watery fluid, and the disease terminates as dropsy.
TREATMENT.—From the commencement, the A.A., is the most important remedy, and may be given, fifteen drops, every two hours, during the more urgent symptoms, and then at longer intervals for the acute form.
If there should be purging, alternate the F.F. with the A.A., at intervals of two hours, and then leas frequently as the disease improves.
In the slow form of the disease, the alternate use of J.K. and F.F., four times per day, will be found most effectual in preventing a termination in dropsy, and in restoring the animal.
Jaundice, Yellows, Diseased Liver
Young horses rarely have diseased livers, but at the age of eight or nine years, the disease is more common, and, in some cases, quite suddenly, the covering of the liver gives way, and symptoms of fatal peritonitis appear.
SYMPTOMS.—Jaundice, or Yellows, is more frequent, and is marked thus: The animal is dull, sleepy, and unwilling to move; he eats little or nothing; the coat stares; the urine is scanty; the dung light-colored and in lumps. The nose, tongue, eyes and mouth become yellow, from the abundance of bile in the blood. The urine is very thick, dark-colored and full of bile. The right side is painful when pressed against, and the horse looks towards it, he may be lame in the right fore-leg, or paw the ground with it. These symptoms may increase, and cough, quick breathing, and full, quick pulse, be added, which afterwards becomes quite weak and slow, and the legs very cold. He then becomes more and more dull, stupid and sleepy, staggers, falls to the ground, and dies.
TREATMENT.—Rarely will anything more be required than the J.K., of which a dose of fifteen drops may be given, four times per day.
Should there be heat, fever or inflammatory symptoms, a few doses of the A.A., will be proper, not merely for the heat and fever, but for the obstruction of the liver as well. In severe cases, these two remedies may be alternated with the most brilliant success, even when there is no fever apparent. Give fifteen drops every four hours, alternately, first A.A., next J.K., and so on.
Costiveness, Bound Bowels
This is usually a mere symptom of some other disease, upon the removal of which the costiveness disappears. But sometimes, in consequence of dry food, deficient action of the liver, want of exercise, or a paralytic condition of the digestive organs, it may require attention.
TREATMENT.—The animal should have regular exercise, green food or bran mashes night and morning, with but little oats, or other heating or dry food. Give fifteen drops of J.K., night and morning, and the condition will soon be corrected.
Bots and Worms
Bots in the horse, like worms in the human system, have usually a great many sins to answer for, which are really chargeable elsewhere. It is a principle in the economy of nature, that one animal should feed upon or live within another, and hence every animal, and almost every organ, also, has its peculiar parasite or inhabitant. Such parasites are rarely injurious. In an unhealthy condition of the system, they may unduly accumulate, and occasion some inconvenience, but they rarely feed upon the surface to which they are attached, but only upon the contents of the organs in which they exist.
The history of the bot, the most formidable of horse parasites, is as follows: Towards the close of autumn, the female gadfly (octrus equi) fixes its eggs upon the hair of the horse’s legs, by means of a sticky substance, exuded with the egg. By means of the horse’s tongue and lips, these eggs are carried to the mouth, and so on down to the stomach, where the eggs, farther developed in the form of grubs, are attached, by means of their hooks, to the sides of the organ, while their heads remain floating in its fluids, upon which they feed. Having arrived at maturity, they are separated, pass along the intestines, and are expelled with the dung, after which they again burst their shell, and rise in the summer in the form of the gadfly.
SYMPTOMS.—Some horses are supposed to suffer much from bots, while others, in the most perfect health, have an abundance of them. Often there are no symptoms to indicate their presence, but generally, the horse loses flesh and strength, and can scarcely move about; he has turns of griping pains in the belly; eats and drinks greedily; the oats pass off undigested, and the dung has a bad smell. The only sure criterion of the existence of bots or worms is their presence, hanging about the anus, or mixed with the dung of the animal.
There are also the _long round worms_, similar to the common earth worm, and the _small pin-norm_, half an inch or more in length, which show at the anus, an inch or more in length, which often causes itching and uneasiness at the anus.
TREATMENT.—To eradicate worms or bots from the system, give fifteen drops of D.D., each night and morning, with regular and healthy feed, and the worm symptoms will soon disappear.
For Colic or belly-ache, when supposed to be from bots, give fifteen drops of the D.D., alternately with the A.A., every half hour or hour, according to the urgency of the case. A few doses will usually relieve.
IN OBSTINATE CASES, when the Bots seem to be constitutional, give fifteen drops of the D.D., every morning, and the same of J.K., every night, and so continue until good health is established.
Salivation—Slavering
Many horses are subject to an increased flow of saliva from the mouth, constituting what is known as _slavering_ or _driveling_ from the mouth. The discharge is commonly, simply glairy slime, or at times—and especially on being driven or excited—a simple froth, dropping or being blown from the mouth. It may be caused by mercury if the horse has been dosed with the drug; is often attributed to Lobelia or Indian tobacco, if the horse only would eat it—but is more commonly the result of swelled gums, irregular or deficient teeth, and irritated or inflamed salivary glands, the result of bad digestion.
TREATMENT.—See that the teeth are in order, and give J.K., morning and night.