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CHAPTER VIII. 



GENERAL DISEASES, 



'Rheumatism. 



THIS is a far more common disease of the horse 

 than has generally been supposed. It is quite com- 

 mon in old horses, and in younger ones that have 

 been exposed or over-worked. Cold and damp, and 

 exposure to draughts of cold air when heated, or 

 during and after severe effort or work are among 

 the most common causes. 



SYMPTOMS. It usually begins with a shivering 

 chill, hot skin and mouth. The horse becomes lame 

 and stiff all over, and several joints seem affected at 

 once, so that he cannot move from the first, or else 

 it soon becomes confined to one joint or leg ; the 

 joint or limb becomes very hot, swelled, and exceed- 

 ingly painful ; the pulse is quicker at one time than 

 another, or stops now and then for a moment or 

 two ; the breathing is quick ; sweats break out, and 

 the animal becomes weak. When the disease at- 

 tacks the fore-legs, farriers call it " chest-founder;" 

 and when it attacks the loins, the back is raised and 

 belly tucked up, and it is known as u loin-bound." 



