7-4 THE AEMT HORSE. 



Treatment. — Give good, clean, and nutritious food. Admin- 

 ister iodine in 1-dram doses three times a day and diminish 

 quantity as the thirst is lessened and the urine is diminished. 



RETENTION OF THE URINE. 



An inability, total or partial, to expel by natural effort the 

 urine contained in the bladder. It is caused by spasm of the 

 neck of the bladder, and is often a complication of colic. 



Symptoms. — Frequent and ineffectual attempts to urinate; 

 if standing the animal will stretch himself out, strain violently, 

 and groan with pain, discharging but a few drops of urine, or 

 none at all; examination per rectfim shows the bladder greatly 

 distended, and this is the diagnostic or distinguishing symp- 

 tom. 



Treatment.— Pass the catheter and draw off the urine. If 

 retention of the urine is due to an accumulation of dirt in the 

 penis, washing will remove the cause, A horse will normally 

 pass from 4 to 6 quarts of urine every twenty-four hours. 



Diseases of the Nervous System. 



CONGESTION OF THE BRAIN "bLIND STAGGERS." 



This disease is caused by an accumulation of blood in the 

 vessels of the brain, due to some obstacle to its return to the 



veins. 



Causes.— Disease of the heart ; excessive exertion ; the influ- 

 ence of extreme heat; sudden and great excitement; artificial 

 stimulants ; any mechanical obstruction which prevents the re- 

 turn of blood through the veins to the heart, such as a small 

 ill-fitting collar; tumors or abscesses pressing on the vein in 

 its course; extreme fat; compression of the vascular structures 

 (arterial capillaries) by an abnormal tension of gas in the 

 stomach and intestines; over-feeding after a prolonged absti- 

 nence or w^hen the exercise is insufficient; and foods difficult 

 of digestion. Fat horses or those with short, thick necks are 

 especially liable to attacks of this malady. 



Symptoms. — Congestion of the brain usually appears sud- 

 denly and is of short duration. 



The animal may stop very suddenly and shake his head, or 

 stand quietly braced on his legs, then stagger, make a plunge 

 and fall ; the eyes are staring, breathing hurried and snoring. 



