310 REPORT ON THE DISEASES OF FARM HORSES. 



see in some districts. It, however, does. occur in some of 

 the more highly fed animals as a result of a modified form of 

 carelessness, and might in the majority of instances be avoided. 



The causes are irregularities in work and food principally, a 

 predisposition being found probably in the habit of body or con- 

 formation, and structure. Thus we find animals with thick 

 legs, having an abundance of hair and cellular tissue beneath 

 the skin, ravenous feeders, &c, are most prone to contract the 

 disease. 



Nature. — A sudden changing of the circulatory system, with 

 an abundance of extra nutritive matter, by which the coats of the 

 vessels of the hind extremities suffer most, by stretching under 

 the heavy column of blood, causing exudation — into the sur- 

 rounding space — of the watery portions, which act as an irritant 

 on the parts, giving rise to heat, pain, tenderness, and consider- 

 able fever. Weed generally is seen on Sunday evenings or 

 Monday mornings, and other days after the hard worked horse 

 has received a day's rest and inactivity. 



Symptoms. — An enormously swollen state of one of the hind 

 legs, very seldom in both, accompanied with great lameness, 

 corded state of the vein on the inside of the thigh, which is in- 

 tolerable under pressure. The skin is tense and hot, and in places, 

 particularly over the coronet and fetlocks, constricted by trans- 

 verse bands which appear to dip into it and tie it firmly down 

 to the bones beneath. The pulse is full, strong, and accelerated, 

 but not much affected in the first stages, being slower than 

 natural and soft. Upon enquiry, the animal has eaten up all his 

 food, and probably has exhibited in the eye of the attendant 

 greater signs of health previously, and his illness, therefore, 

 proves to him the greater mystery. 



Treatment. — If called in proper time, this is one of the few 

 diseases in which I would abstract blood, probably to the extent 

 of 6 or 8 quarts. Next administer a dose of aloes, keep up the 

 use of enemas every 15 minutes, and envelope tumefied limb in 

 broad (.3 inches) flannel bandages from the foot to the greatest 

 possible height ; cover these with convolutions of soft hay or 

 straw bands bound, not tightly, but affording moderate pressure, 

 and use a constant stream of hot water, which should be poured 

 from the top within the bandages, all round the limb. 



Keep the animal short of food, and when the medicine has 

 acted freely, two or three drams of nitrate of potash may be given 

 in his water or put into a mash night and morning for three or 

 four days. As soon as exercise can be borne let it be taken, or 

 light work, if it can be honestly apportioned to the patient. 



Weed is liable to recur after the first attack on all similar 

 occasions, and with all the necessary causes existing. I have 

 succeeded in banishing it altogether from the stables of farmers 



