CAUSES.- It may be caused by a tread or overreach neglected or improperly treated, or by a prick in shoeing, or by a wound from a nail or other sharp substance, setting up inflammation in the sensitive foot, and the formation of matter; this, not being able to escape through the horny sole, mounts upwards, directing its course between the sensitive and horny laminae, and finally breaks out on the coronet. Quitter is often caused by suppurative corns or injury to the foot, and requires prompt attention and good treatment to prevent ulceration of the lateral cartilage taking place.
SYMPTOMS.- Lameness and heat and pain in the foot direct our attention to a swelling of the bulbous heels, or some portion of the coronet, just above the hoof, where we find a little oozing of matter. On examination with a probe, fistulous ducts are found to lead downwards into the interior of the foot. On removing the shoe and paring out the sole, we shall probably find some portion altered in colour and underrun with matter of a black and offensive character.
TREATMENT.- Free exit must be given to the matter in the sole, whenever that can be done, and the sinuses injected with Calendula lotion (one part to eight of water), morning and evening, after which the foot should be enveloped in a warm turnip or meal poultice. The wall of the foot under the conical swelling or the coronet should be rasped until it springs under the thumb.
As soon as the inflammation is subdued and the matter ceases, we may discontinue the poultice, and simply dress the sore on the coronet with Calendula lotion. The lower portion of the hoof of the diseased quarter should be cut away, so that it cannot touch the bar shoe, which is the most appropriate for this disease. In case of Quittor of long standing, when the discharge is thin or of a greenish colour, the best injection is Corrosive Sublimate, five grains to the ounce of water, which may be repeated daily until a cure is affected. The internal administration of Silicea is often of great service.
Red Water.
This disease occurs in cows, and often follows calving, and chiefly when north-easterly winds prevail.
CAUSES.- This complaint is often caused by want of due care of the animal; from her being exposed to cold or wet too soon after calving; exposure to sudden alterations of the weather; diseases of the liver and stomach.
SYMPTOMS.- The early symptoms – namely, dulness, poor appetite, unthrifty appearance of the skin, tender loins – may pass unobserved, till the red urine attracts notice. At first the water may be but little coloured; but as the disease progresses, the colour gets deeper, and may even become black. The general health becomes increasingly involved; there is total loss of appetite; the pulse is quick, full, and bounding; the white of the eye, and every part of the skin that can be seen are of a yellow-brownish colour; at first the evacuations may be loose and watery, followed by the most obstinate constipation; the animal rapidly loses flesh and strength; the eyes become sunken; and without proper treatment, death takes place, preceded in some cases by violent purging.
TREATMENT.- Aconitum.- Fever symptoms, and diminished quantity of milk. A dose every three hours, till the fever symptoms abate.
Cantharis.- Much straining to pass urine, the discharge being accompanied with pain. Give this remedy instead of, and in the same manner as Aconitum.
Ipecacuanha.- The whites of the eyes are tinged yellow, and the breathing is every difficult.
Camphor.- When the disease comes on suddenly, is attended with shivering and coldness of the extremities, and the urinary difficulties are very great. Eight drops every half-hour, for three times.
Arnica.- When the compliant can be traced to a blow or other injury. A dose every four hours.
Other remedies sometimes required are – Belladonna, Bryonia, Nux Vom., and Pulsatilla
ACCESSORY TREATMENT.- Great attention should be paid to diet. This should consist of mashes, gruel, linseed tea, fresh meadow grass, or vetches, in small quantities at a time; neither mangolds nor turnips should be given; water should be allowed sparingly. The animal should be exercised in a stable yard or shed only, and be well sheltered from winds.
Rheumatism
DEFINITION.- A specific disorder characterised by painful swelling of the fibrous tissues above the joints, sometimes shifting from one joint to another, and aggravated by movement, profuse acid sweats, and acid urine. It affects horses, cows, and dogs, especially cows, and is distinguished as acute and chronic.
SYMPTOMS.- Acute rheumatism generally comes on suddenly, is accompanied with fever, and the affected, parts are more or less swollen, painful, and hot. The animal is seen to walk lame, the appetite is diminished, he has a dull and lifeless appearance, and moves with the greatest reluctance. Chronic rheumatism is without fever, more continuous and obstinate, and the parts involved are painful, but less warm and rigid than in the acute form. This disease invades almost every part of the body, but more particularly the outer parts, joints, etc., which become lame. It often moves from one leg to another.
CAUSES.- Rheumatism is generally excited by wet and changeable weather, especially if an animal is exposed when perspiring, or when there is a predisposition to the disease. It is often induced by too early exposure to cold after the animal has suffered from a fit of illness. Purgative medicines frequently cause the complaint.
TREATMENT.- The medicines most useful in this complaint are – Aconite, Bryonia, Belladonna, Arsenicum, Rhus Tox., Arnica, Nux Vom., and Sulph. Aconitum will always be the best medicine to being with in the acute form of rheumatism. A dose every three of four hours.
Bryonia is generally best to follow Aconitum; of it the fever is only partially abated, to alternate with it every third hour. This remedy is especially required if the animal prefers the recumbent position, and the slightest motion appears to aggravate the pains.
Rhus Tox. will be useful when the stiffness and lameness are most observed after rest and when the animal first begins to move, but are relieved after a little exercise.
Arnica will be the most suitable remedy if the affection follows severe exertion.
Sulphur.- Should the above remedies afford only partial relief, this remedy may be given for a most indicated. Sulphur may also be given when the prominent symptoms have been removed by the above treatment, or when the complaint is apt to return in changeable weather. In acute rheumatism, the medicine should be given every three hours, and in chronic, every six hours; and in both cases be patiently and steadily persevered with.
ACCESSORY TREATMENT.- The animal must be well cared for, have a warm and dry habitation, and a plentiful supply of clean, dry straw. Should there be much pain and swelling, warm fomentations and bandages will be serviceable. He should be kept perfectly quiet, and be allowed to move or rest as his pains may require. The diet should be milk, or milk and water; gruel; and carrots or clover, if in season. Roaring – Whistling – Blowing Dyspnoea.
DEFINITION.- An abnormal sound consisting of hoarse, sonorous breathing, consequent on sudden exertion and fast or laborious work.
When any horse is affected with obstruction of the air-passages, and produces sounds of different pitch and sonorousness, he is denominated, according to the sound, a Roarer, Whistler, Piper, Blower, Grunter, Trumpeter, etc.
CAUSES.- Predisposing.- These may be regarded as congenital, for whether the animal has the long, arched neck which experience has taught us to regard with suspicion, or is as symmetrical as we would desire, if the sire or dam was a Roarer, the probability is that the offspring will be so too.
Exciting causes are any inflammatory disease of the air-passages, such as Laryngitis, Strangles, Bronchitis, etc.
SYMPTOMS.- These depend on the nature and seat of the respiratory obstruction, but in general a harsh, sawing kind of noise accompanies every inspiration when the animal is cantered or galloped. In some cases it is sonorous, in others whistling; and in very bad cases the sound may be heard both in inspiration and expiration.
PROGNOSIS.- Except in acute or recent cases, always unfavourable.
TREATMENT.- Belladonna- Recent inflammation of the lining membrane of the larynx.
Kali bichromicum- Ulceration.
Should Polypus or Spasm of the Larynx be the cause, see the treatment given in the Section on those diseases.
In Chronic cases of confirmed Roaring, no medicinal treatment will be of any avail. Gunther states that he has in some cases given relief by cutting out a portion of the arytenoid cartilage, the falling in of which, from paralysis of the muscles on one side, has been referred to as the most general cause of Roaring. Wearing a tube in the windpipe has also been recommended. A strap has also been contrived to pass around the nose, so as to limit the access of air, but t is doubtful if it be applicable to any but carriage horses or those doing slow work. Sandcrack.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."