Diseases of the horse and how to treat them; a concise manual of special pathology for the use of horsemen, farmers, stock-raisers, and students in agricultural colleges in the United States

Front matter

Class _: :

Book__l Copyright}!".

COPYRIGHT DEPOSrr.

Introduction

When, in 1856, "TLeJilaniml of British Sports by 'Stonehenge' '' was published, the reading community recognized the appearance of a master mind, — th e authority on the many subjects of rural life, handled with consummate ability in its closely-printed, double-column pages. Whatever subject "Stonehenge" touchejd upon he adorned. His charming style, thorough knowledge of -his subject, evident enjoyment of his work and his entire sympathy with that outdoor life whicii has made England the beau ideal home of the country gentleman the world over. So great was the success of the work that sixteen editions, thoroughly revised and brought up to date, were issued in the next thirty years, when the thirty volumes of the Badminton Library took its place, a monument to the interest Stonehenge's work had created.

In no portion of the work was the author's genial erudition more appai'ent than in the portions dealing with the breeding and care of horses, and when, five years later, his "Horse in the Stable and the Field ; His Management in Health and Disease" appeared, its success was instant and complete. In his modest Preface the author sa3^s: "We believe it may be asserted without fear of contradiction that no book has yet been published in the English or any other language which even professes to give a complete description of the Natural History, Physiology, Pathology, and General Management of the Horse in a form and style suited to the country gentleman of the nineteenth century. It is true that some of these departments are adequately described in separate works ; but they are generally written in technical language, suited rather

6 INTRODUCTION.

to the veterinary student than for the use and comprehension of the ordinary reader. . . . For these reasons the author of this work has thought that a book, combining all the above subjects, treated in a practical manner, and a style popularly intelligible, j-et containing the most recent views of eminent authorities in veterinary knowledge, w^ould supply a deficiency which has long been complained of by all who are interested in the proper management of the horse."

The success of this work was as great as its predecessor, and though many years have elapsed since then and many works on the same subject have appeared on both sides of the ocean, it has never been superseded. The reason of its success and endurance is that the author was peculiarly fitted for his work. In the Dictionary of National Biography, Vol. LIX, his biography is thus given :

Walsh, John Henry (1810-1888), writer on sport under the pseudonym of Stonehenge, son of Benjamin Walsh, was born at Hackney, London, on October 21, 1810, and educated at a private school. In 1832 he passed as a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, and became a fellow of the college by examination in 1844. For some time he was surgeon to the Ophthalmic Institution, and lectured on surgery and descriptive anatomy at the Aldersgate School of Medicine. For several years he was in practice at Worcester, but left that city for London in 1852. He always had an intense love of sport, he rode well to hounds, kept greyhounds, and entered them at coursing meetings, broke his own pointers and setters, and, what is less common, also trained hawks. In the management of dogs he became an especial adept, and few veterinary practitioners could compare with him in the treatment of dogs' diseases. He was also fond of shooting, and, owing to the bursting of his gun, lost a portion of his left hand. In 1853, under the pseudonym of ^SStonehenge," he brought out his work on "The Greyhound, on the Art of Breeding, Rearing, and Training Greyhounds for Public

INTRODUCTION. 7

Running, their Diseases and Treatment" (3d ed. 1875). This treatise was based on articles he had written in "Sell's Life," and it remains the standard text-book on the subject. Three years later, in 1856, appeared "Manual of British Eural Sports," which treats of the whole cycle of sports, and, among other things, deals with the breeding of horses in a scientific manner. Sixteen editions of this work were published up to 1886, in the later editions articles on special subjects being furnished by other writers. In 1856 he originated the "Coursing Calendar," and conducted it through fifty half-yearly volumes. About 1856 he became connected with the "Field," and at the end of 1857 accepted the editorship. He brought out "The Shot Gun and Sporting Rifle, and the Dogs, Ponies, Ferrets, etc., used with them in Shooting and Trapping," in 1859; "The Dog in Health and Disease," 1859 (4th ed. 1887) ; "The Horse in the Stable and in the Field," in 1861 (13th ed. 1890) ; and "The Dogs of the British Islands," in 1867 (3d ed. 1886). In the two books last mentioned he had also the assistance of other writers. In 1882-4 the "Modem Sportsman's Gun and Rifle" appeared. Vol. I l)eing devoted to shot guns, while Vol. II treated of rifles. His activity in conducting the "Field," with the aid of many able coadjutors, was remarkable. He soon instituted the first "Field" trial of guns and rifles, which was carried out in April, 1858, in the Ashburnham grounds at Chelsea, adjacent to the famous Cremoine Gardens. This trial wound up the controversy as to the merits of breech-loaders and muzzle-loaders, but before the final decisions two other trials were made, one at the old Hornsey Wood Tavern in July, 1859, and the third at the Lillie Arms, Broughton, in 1866.

"He was a good chess player, and on the managing committees of several clubs. He died at 43 Montserrat Road, Putney, Surrey, on February 12, 1888, and was buried in the old cemetery at Putney Common. He married, first, in August, 1833, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Stevenson, of Claines,

8 INTRODUCTION.

Worcestershire, who died nine months later; secondly, in 1835, Susan Emily, daughter of Dr. Maiden, of Worcester, who died eight months later, and, thirdly, in 1852, Susan, eldest daughter of the Eev. William Parker, who survived her husband. He left two daughters."

In conclusion, the writer desires to pay a personal tribute to the memory of one whom he has never seen or known, save in his writings, for an unexpected and kindly act of courtesy at a time and under circumstances which made it especially grateful to the recipient, and which none but a noble-minded gentleman would have done.

Chapter I. The Diseases And Injuries Of Bone

PAGE

General Remarks — Splints — Ringbone and Sidebone — Ossification of the Lateral Cartilages — Bone Spavin — Exostosis of the Humerus and Scapula, or Shoulder-Joint Lameness — Fistula of the Withers, or Thiselo — Poll Evil — Caries of the Jaw — Osteo Sarcoma, or Big Head — Fractures 13

Chapter II. Injury And Diseases Of The Joints, Muscles, And Tendons

Diseases of Muscle, Tendon, and Ligament — Of Cartilage and Synovial Membrane — Inflamed Tendinous Sheaths — Inflamed Bursre Mucosjp — Strains — Those of the Back and Loins — Of the Shoulder— Of the Knee— Of the Fetlock— Of the Coffin Joint — Of the Suspensory Ligaments — Of the Back- Sinews — Breaking Down — Strains of the Hip- Joint, Stifle, and Hock — Curb — Dislocation — Wounds of Joints 27

Chapter III. Diseases Of The Thoracic Organs And Their Appendages

General Remarks — Catarrh, or Cold — Influenza, or Distemper — Bronchitis — Chronic Cough — Laryngitis, Roaring. Whistling, etc.— Pneumonia and Congestion of the Lungs — Pleurisy — Pleurodynia — Phthisis — Broken Wind — Thick Wind — Spasm of the Diaphragm — Diseases of the Heart — Diseases of the

Blood Vessels in the Chest and Nose 42

10 , CONTENTS.

PAGE

Chapter IV. Diseases Of The Abdominal Viscera And Their Appendages

General Remarks — Diseases of the Mouth and Throat — Gastritis — Stomach Staggers — Dyspepsia — Bots — Inflammation of the Bowels — Colic — Diarrhoea and Dysentary — Strangulation and Rupture — Calculi in the Bowels — Worms — Disease of the Liver— Of the Kidneys— Of the Bladder— Of the Organs of Generation 66

Chapter V. Diseases Of The Nervous System

Phrenitis, or Mad Staggers — Epilepsy and Convulsions — Megrims — Rabies, Hydrophobia, or ^Madness — Tetanus, or Lock-jaw — Apoplexy and Paralysis — String Halt — Coup de Solcil, or Sun-stroke 91

Chapter VI. Diseases And Injuries Of Certain Special Organs

Diseases of the Ear — Inflammation of the Eye — Cataract — Amaurosis — Buck-eye — Surfeit — Hidebound — Mange — Lice — Mallenders and Sallenders — Warbles, Sitfasts, and Harness- Galls — Grubs — Bites and Stings of Insects — Swelled Legs — Chapped Heel — Grease, or Scratches — Warts — Corns — Sandcrack — False Quarter — Quittor — Thrush — Canker — Laminitis — Seedy Toe — Contraction of the Foot — Navicular Disease — Accidents to the Legs and Feet 99

Chapter VII. Constitutional Diseases

Fevers — Anasarca — Glanders — Farcy 133

CHAPTER VIIL

SHOEING.

CONTENTS. 11

PACE

Chapter IX. Operations

Administration of Chloroform — Methods of Confining the Horse — Bleeding — Firing — Setons and Rowels — Blistering — Castration — Docking and Nicking — Unnerving — Reduction of Hernia — Administration of Physic — Clysters — Back-Raking. 147

Chapter X

THE PRINCIPAL MEDICINES, AND THE DOSES IN WHICH THEY CAN SAFELY BE ADMINISTERED.

Alteratives — Anaesthetics — Anodynes — Antacids — Anthelmintics — Aperients^ — Astringents — Blisters — Caustics — Charges — Clysters — Cordials — Demulcents — Diaphoretics — Digestives — Diuretics — Embrocations — Emulsions — Expectorants — Febrifuges — Lotions — Narcotics — Refrigerants — Sedatives — Stimulants — Stomachics — Styptics — Tonics — Vermifuges, or Worm Medicines 1G3