VET:EkiXARY SCIENCE. 43 



During the chill give large doses of stimulants, as whisky, 

 alcohol, ginger, etc., at short intervals. 



If the breathing is not relieved in a few hours, apply mus- 

 tard over the ribs, just back of the shoulder-blades. 



Give nourishing, easily digested food. Keep the animal 

 perfectly quiet. Give i-oz. doses of nitrate of potash in the 

 drinking-water three times daily. After the chill is relieved 

 keep a pail of fresh water before the animal at all times. 



Azoturia — Black- water. 



This disease is quite common among farm horses, 

 and is due solely to overfeeding on nitrogenous foods and 

 lack of exercise, followed by the accumulation in the sys- 

 tem of waste matters. 



Symptoms. — The animal is taken from the barn after a 

 few days' rest on full rations, apparently as well as usual. 

 After driving from half a mile to six or eight miles the 

 horse will begin to lag and sweat profusely. Shortly will 

 begin to go lame, usually in one hind limb. If urged on, 

 will soon lose the use of the limbs and fall to the 

 ground, unable to rise. The urine if passed will 

 be dark and coffee-colored. This is a diagnos- 

 tic symptom. The muscles over the hips become hard 

 and swollen, and the animal will struggle convulsively and 

 attempt to rise. 



Treatment. — Unhitch the animal as soon as the first symp- 

 toms are noticed and take the horse to the nearest barn. Fold 

 a woolen blanket and wring out of hot water and place over the 

 hips, covering with a dry blanket. Repeat as soon as it becomes 

 cool, and continue this until the more acute symptoms are re- 

 lieved. Internally give laudanum i oz., raw linseed oil one pint, 

 and repeat the laudanum in an hour if the pain is not relieved. 

 If possible, the urine should be drawn with a catheter, as it is 

 rarely passed when the animal is down. Give injections of soapy 

 warm water at frequent intervals. 



Distemper — Strangles. 



This is a contagious disease due to a specific virus that very 

 few horses escape. It usually runs a benign course and termi- 

 nates favorably. 



