SACCHARINE DIABETES ( SWEET URINE ). 81 



of a pale urine of a high density (LOGO and upward), rapid loss of 

 condition, scurf}', unthrifty skin, costiveness or irregularity of the 

 bowels, indigestion, and the presence in the urine of a sweet princi- 

 ple — grape-sugar or inosite, or both. This may be most promptly de- 

 tected by touching the tij^ of the tongue with a drop. Sugar may be 

 detected simply b}^ adding a teaspoonful of liquid yeast to 4 ounces of 

 the urine and keeping it lightly stopped at a temperature of 70° 

 to 80° F. for twelve hours, when the sugar will be found to have been 

 changed into alcohol and carbon dioxide. The loss of density will 

 give indication of the amount of sugar transformed ; thus a density of 

 1.035 in a urine which was formerly 1.060 would indicate about 15 

 grains of sugar to the fluid ounce. 



Inosite, or muscle sugar, frequently present in the horse's urine, and 

 even replacing the glucose, is not fermentable. Its presence may be 

 indicated by its sweetness and the absence of fermentation or by Gal- 

 lois's test. Evaporate the suspected urine at a gentle heat almost to 

 dryness, then add a drojD of a solution of mercuric nitrate and evapo- 

 rate carefully to dryness, when a yellowish residue is left that is 

 changed on further cautious heating to a deep rose color, which dis- 

 appears on cooling and reappears on heating. 



In advanced diabetes, dropsies in the limbs and under the chest and 

 belly, puffy, swollen eyelids, cataracts, catarrhal inflammation of the 

 lungs, weak, uncertain gait, and drowsiness may be noted. 



Treatment is most satisfactory in cases dej^endent on some curable 

 disease of liver, pancreas, lungs, or brain. Thus, in liver diseases, a 

 run at pasture in warm weather, or in winter a warm, sunny, Avell- 

 aired stable, with sufficient clothing and laxatives (sulphate of soda, 

 1 ounce daily) and alkalies (carbonate of potassium, one-fourth 

 ounce) may benefit. To this may be added mild blistering, cupping, 

 or even leeching over the last ribs. Diseases of the brain or pancreas 

 may be treated according to their indications. The diet should be 

 mainly albuminous, such as wheat bran or middlings, pease, beans, 

 vetches, and milk. Indeed, an exclusive milk diet is one of the very 

 best remedial agencies. It may be given as skimmed milk or butter- 

 milk, and in the last case combines an antidiabetic remedy in the lactic 

 acid. Under such an exclusive diet recent and mild cases are often 

 entirel}^ restored, though at the expense of an attack of rheumatism. 

 Codeia, one of the alkaloids of opium, is strongly recommended by 

 Doctor Tyson. The dose for the horse would be 10 to 15 grains thrice 

 daily. In cases in which there is manifest irritation of the brain, 

 bromide of potassium, 4 drams, or ergot one-half ounce, may be re- 

 sorted to. Salicylic acid and salicylate of sodium have proved useful 

 in certain cases; also phosphate of sodium. Bitter tonics (especially 

 nux vomica one-half dram) are useful in improving the digestion and 

 general health. 



H. Doc. 79.5, 5!)-2 6 



