10 DISEASES OF THE HORSE, 



HISTORY. 



It is important to know, first of all, something of the origin and 

 development of the disease, therefore the cause should be looked for. 

 The cause of a disease is important, not only in connection with diag- 

 nosis, but also in connection with treatment. The character of food 

 that the horse has had, the use to which he has been put, and the kind 

 of care he has received should all be inquired into closely. It may be 

 found by this investigation that the horse has been fed on damaged 

 food, such as brewer's grains or moldy silage, and this may be suffi- 

 cient to explain the i^rofound depression and weakness that are char- 

 acteristic of forage poisoning. If it is learned that the horse has 

 been kept in the stable without exercise for several days and upon 

 full rations, and that he became suddenly lame in his back and hind 

 legs, and finally fell to the ground from what appeared to be partial 

 paralysis, this knowledge, taken in connection with a few evident 

 symptoms, will be enough to establish a diagnosis of azoturia. If it 

 is learned that the horse has been recently shipped in the cars or has 

 been through a dealer's stable, we have knowledge of significance in 

 connection with the causation of a possible febrile disease, which is, 

 under these conditions, likely to prove to be influenza, or edematous 

 pneumonia. 



It is also important to know whether the particular horse that is 

 under examination is the only one in the stable or on the premises 

 that is similarly afflicted. If it is found that several horses are 

 afflicted much in the same way, we have evidence here of a common 

 cause of disease which may prove to be of an infectious nature. 



Another item of importance in connection with the history of the 

 case relates to the treatment that the horse may have had before he 

 is examined. It sometimes happens that medicine given in excessive 

 quantities produces symptoms resembling those of disease, so it is 

 important that the examiner shall be fully informed as to the medica- 

 tion that has been employed. 



ATTITUDE AND GENERAL CONDITION. 



Before beginning the special examination attention should be paid 

 to the attitude and general condition of the animal. Sometimes 

 horses assume positions that are characteristic of a certain disease. 

 For example, in tetanus, or lockjaw, the muscles of the face, neck, 

 and shoulders are stiff and rigid, as well as the muscles of the jaw. 

 This condition produces a peculiar attitude, that once seen is subse- 

 quently recognized as rather characteristic of this disease. A horse 

 with tetanus stands with his muscles tense and his legs in a somewhat 

 bracing position, as though he were gathered to repel a shock. The 

 neck is stiff and hard, the head is slightly extended upon it, the face 

 is drawn, and the nostrils are dilated. The tail is usually held up a 

 little, and when pressed down against the thighs it springs back to its 



