The Farmers Own Book 1

The Farmers Own Book 1

The Farmers Own Book

A treatise on the numerous diseases of the horse

 

Author: J. D. Koogle

 

PREFACE.

The object of this work is to give a thorough explanation of the numerous

diseases to which the horse is subject, and point out in a clear and

distinct manner the symptoms by which the diseases may be known, so

that the Farmer and others having the care of horses may be enabled to

detect any disease in its first stages,--thereby rendering it an easy

case to cure; also, giving a regular course of medicine to be pursued in

the treatment of the different diseases, by which almost any one, with

a little study, can treat the most difficult cases. The great objection

to other works that have been issued is that they do not point out the

symptoms of the diseases in horses; and their treatment is so badly

arranged that it is very difficult for the Farmer and persons generally

to understand it. The advantages this work possesses over others, is

its plainness in pointing out the difficulties attending the treatment

of diseases in horses and the manner in which they may be surmounted.

And it is hoped that those interested will give this book their careful

attention, as the author is satisfied that it will save them a vast

amount of time and trouble in times of need.

 

THE AUTHOR.

 

 

 

 

[Illustration]

 

 

 

 

DISEASES OF HORSES.

 

 

The diseases of the horse are very numerous, and many of them so

complicated as to defy detection, except by those who are thoroughly

acquainted with the nature of the animal, and his mode of living. This is

the reason that horses which have been under the care of the farrier are

often returned to the owner in a worse condition than when they received

them. It is to prevent this practice as much as possible that has induced

me to bring this work before the public, in the hope of alleviating the

condition of that noble animal--_the Horse_.

 

[Illustration]

 

 

THE POLL EVIL.

 

This disease may arise from accident, but is commonly the result of blows

or bruises carelessly inflicted by those having charge of the horses. It

is a tumor or swelling in the sinews, found between the noll bone and the

uppermost joint of the neck, immediately on the nap of the neck.

 

Nearly all farriers, tell you to sell your horse for anything he will

bring, or give him away; but I would advise you to keep your horse

and cure him, which can be done quickly and surely with the following

remedies:

 

 

REMEDY NO. 1.

 

First wash the sore well with strong warm soap suds, then drop 8 or 10

drops of muriatic acid in it twice a day, until it has the appearance

of a fresh wound, after which it should be washed clean with soap suds

from castile soap and then left to heal, which it will quickly do if the

acid has been used long enough in a proper manner; but if it does not get

well, wash as before, and apply the acid until a cure is effected. It is

a sure remedy, and will not fail if applied properly until the disease is

burnt out or killed.

 

In case you should drop any of the acid on the part that is not affected,

apply a little oil, which will neutralize the power of the acid and

prevent it from becoming sore.

 

 

REMEDY NO. 2.

 

When the disease first makes its appearance, take a quantity of asmart

and put it to soak, letting it remain all night. In the morning take

as much as you can hold in your hand and apply it to the swollen part,

holding it there some 20 or 30 minutes, pressing on it as hard as you

conveniently can, which must be repeated several times. This remedy

generally scatters the disease, but if it should fail you will be obliged

to use applications of a more astringent nature.

 

 

REMEDY NO. 3.

 

After the disease has fully shown itself, wash as directed in Remedy

No. 1; then take Arsenic and apply it until the foul flesh has all

disappeared, and let it heal. This is a certain remedy, and has cured

several cases within my own knowledge.

 

 

REMEDY NO. 4.

 

Take 1 quart of strong ley and boil it into a salve, then apply a portion

of the salve every 2 hours until the core comes out, and heal with elder

ointment. If this remedy does not effect a cure on the first application,

try it again, as it is a certain cure. Should the ley after being boiled

down leave a hard substance, it must be worked into a salve.

 

 

REMEDY NO. 5.

 

First wash the ulcer well with warm soap suds; then take air-slacked lime

and put as much into the sore as will lay on, which must be repeated 2 or

3 times a day, and the affected part cleaned and swabbed out as often.

This, though very simple, is an excellent remedy, which I have never

known to fail.

 

* * * * *

 

The foregoing remedies are very plain and simple, and cannot fail if

properly applied. In washing the ulcers, use none other than castile

soap, which is far superior to any other for cleansing and healing wounds

and eruptions of any kind, and can be had from any of the drug stores

at 25 cents per pound. It is also an excellent article for domestic

purposes, such as shaving, &c. and will be found cheaper than any other

fine or toilet soaps.

 

 

FLATULENT OR WIND COLIC.

 

This is an entirely different disease from the Spasmodic Colic. It often

originates with something that the horse has eaten and then drinking

large quantities of water, by which the food becomes fermented and

creates a gastric gas, which enlarges to a greater or less extent,

sometimes to twenty or thirty times the bulk of the food. It generally

takes place in the stomach, but at times in the small or large intestines.

 

 

SYMPTOMS.

 

The horse suddenly slacks his pace, perhaps lays or falls down as if he

were shot. In the stable he paws the floor with his fore feet, lays down

and rolls, starts up instantly and throws himself down again with greater

violence, looks wistfully at his flanks, and makes many fruitless efforts

to void his urine. Here the symptoms are similar to other colics, but the

true character of the disease soon develops itself.--It is in one of

the large intestines, and the belly swells all round, but mostly on the

right flanks and as the disease progresses the pain becomes more intense,

and the horse more violent. The treatment is quite different from other

colics.

 

 

REMEDY NO. 1.

 

Take 1 ounce of the chlorate of lime and ½ pint of warm water, put it

into a bottle and shake well, so as to dissolve, then give it as a

drench which will devour the gas, and cause the swelling to subside. If

in fifteen minutes after this has been given, the pain does not seem to

have been alleviated, take 4 ounces of spirits of Pimento, and 1 ounce

of Laudanum, mix it with ½ pint of warm water and give it also as a

drench. If you have no pimento and it is not convenient to get it, take

2½ ounces of peppermint, and 1 ounce of laudanum, and should you not have

laudanum, take a larger quantity of peppermint with ½ pint of warm water,

and give it as a drench. In this disease no time should be lost, as it

very often runs its course in from 1 to 2 hours. If the first should not

give relief in 15 or 20 minutes, repeat it until it does. Rubbing the

belly with a smooth rail or pole will greatly facilitate the action of

the medicine. Should you not have any of the above remedies on hand or

convenient, use from 1 to 2 ounces of golden tincture as the case may

require.

 

 

REMEDY NO. 2.

 

In the first place take 2 ounces of the essence of peppermint, mixed with

½ pint of warm water and give it to him as a drench, then take a bat of

common raw cotton and set fire to it, holding it close to the nostrils

of the horse, so that he can freely inhale the smoke arising therefrom;

continue this until you see that the horse is relieved. The quantity of

cotton used is from 4 to 5 bats, as the necessity of the case may require.

 

This is a simple and safe remedy, and numbers who have tried it say that

they have never known it to fail. I saw a horse that had suffered from

the colic for nearly three hours, being puffed up almost to bursting, and

in half an hour after this operation had been performed on him, he was

completely cured.