The American Farmer's Horse Book; Embracing, in Addition to the Subjects Usually Treated of in Similar Works; A Full Description of the Several

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1867 edition. Excerpt: ...development. The first time the horse is heard to cough, notice should be taken of the fact, and its cause be investigated at once and diligently. If it proves to be occasioned simply by dust or chaff, nothing will be required but to give the animal a drink of water. On the other hand, should it be from a cold or sore throat, active treatment should be begun forthwith. Put the ear to the throat, near the jaw-bone, to ascertain whether any rattling of the larynx or the glottis can be detected; and note carefully whether the horse, in drinking, gulps his water and straightens his neck after swallowing, as though it hurt him. Such symptoms as either of these indications constitute must not be neglected. Extract from the jugular or neck vein three quarts of blood. Then prepare as follows: One table-spoonful of gunpowder, one of soft soap, two of lard, one of tar, and one of gum myrrh, finely pulverized. Mix this well, and divide into six doses. Each morning put one of them down the horse's throat with a paddle or spoon, and at night drench him with half a gill of the solution of chlorate of potash--one ounce of the chlorate of potash to a pint of water. After this, if he stands in the stable, give as much sulphur and resin as he can be induced to eat; but if in time of pasture, green grass will be the best thing in the world for him. In the spring of the year, bleeding may not be necessary, unless the horse's condition is very bad. In a mild case, the faithful use of the throat medicine, with a careful bathing of the throat, for two or three successive mornings, with the hot decoction of tobacco, will nearly always remove the cough. But in the winter, the case will be pretty sure to be obstinate, sufficiently so to necessitate active and energetic...