DIGESTIVE DISORDERS 



stable on the morrow, or he may have been at work a Httle 

 while (perhaps gone several miles), the animal begins to be 

 unsteady behind, then unable to move the hind limbs, ultimately 

 falling to the ground. The hind limbs appear to be the first 

 to give way. In some instances the horse is with difiiculty 

 got back into the stable. 



Regarding the nature of the disease, very little is known. 

 It is probably due to the formation of some poisonous organic 

 material which accumulates in the muscles and blood, the 

 outcome of the metabolism of proteid (beans, oats, peas, etc.), 

 materials which constant work (muscular energy) enables the 

 economy to expel, or dispose of, according to the demands of 

 the system. It may be that the poisonous product thus formed 

 is of an acid nature ; believing that, an alkaline (soda, etc.), 

 course of treatment yields the most satisfactory (if guch it can 

 be called) results. 



Cause. — The sole and only cause (predisposing) appears to 

 be a rich nitrogen diet and rest ; the exciting cause, exercise. 



Symptoms. — The method of attack has already been 

 described. The large muscles on the hind quarters are mainly 

 affected. In addition to the sudden loss of power in this part, 

 the muscles feel as rigid as boards and sensation is practically 

 lost. The pulse, frequently about ninety per minute, and 

 temperature very little higher than in health, perhaps two 

 degrees. 



When the urine is drawn off soon after the attack it is the 

 colour of coffee without milk, though not always discoloured. 

 This serves to distinguish azoturia from every other disease 



273 



