STRANGLES.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2137, 30 December 1880, Page 3

STRANGLES.

Strangles invariably attacks young animals before the fourth year. The disease is incident to anima’s at this period; and it is argued that the disease is contagious, as it frequently runs through a number of young animals on a farm at one and the same period. But this is not the case. Strangles is believed to be non-contagious by all experienced authorities, and. when it is developed to a great extent the cause will bo found in inclement seasons. There is, however, sound reason for asserting that, when young animals aro not affected by it, they are predisposed to a still more serious form of it in adult life—namely, ** bastard strangles.” The term strangles is applied to this affection from the fact that the swelling produces choking. The disease is one of the febrile class, and is ushered in by the usual symptoms attendant on catarrhal fever. The symptoms are a dull depression and desire for solitude. The animal does not appear to thrive well, and a cough follows. It does not care to feed ; the throat becomes swollen, hot, and tender ; and ultimately the animal appears dead amiss. Still we may have these symptoms for weeks, and even months, without any particular notice being taken of them ; and it baa often happened in my experience that this condition has been unobserved and nothing thought of it until serious complications arose. I have known animals in this condition submitted to the emasoulator, the operation proving fatal—not, however, through the mode in which the operation was performed, but from the fact of the disease existing in the animal at the time of the operation. Too great care cannot be exercised in selecting animals for this operation, and particularly so during the present season—one of peculiar variability. The vital fluid—the blood—is charged with certain impurities which nature, in her allwise laws, is endeavoring to remove from the system, becomes highly susceptible to inflammatory action, and the determination of the pus to the abscess forming or in process of development between the spaces under the lower jaw is retarded, and pyaemia follows, with death as the sequel. It stands to reason that evil consequences must follow the operation under such circumstances, and it is therefore important that ft careful examination should be made as to the sanitary condition of the colt before operating. If a colt is found at all out of sorts; it is far better to defer the operation for a time than run any risk. On the treatment of strangles some little differences of opinion exist, but, without doubt, the best course is to fortify the system, and thus assist nature. Stimulating vegetable tonics arc the best, followed by mineral tonics after the abscess has become ripe and been opened. To assist this the application of poultices, preceded by hot fomentations, is required. Still, should febrile symptoms exists, they must be subdued by febrifuge medicines, and the bowels kept regular with oleaginous laxatives ; but on no account should physio balls be administered, or anything that is depletive. The diet should be succulent and easy of assimilation, with gruel and water hitrated—that is, in which a drachm or two of 'nitrate of potash has been dissolved. With plenty of pure air and moderate exercise a colt may recover.— “A Cattle Pathologist" in the “Live Stock Journal."