— 87©-. 



mistakea, as there is no fever ; but there is an inability to move, 

 as if the horse was sprained over the loins. (See Lumbago.) 



(1) Acute Rheumatism. — Nothing less but what is called (when 

 man is the subject) rheumatic fever. 



Symptoms. Great fever, excitement, and irritation, with extreme 

 pain in the legs and joints ; so much so that the stricken horse 

 has not a leg fit to stand upon, and dares not move from the place 

 he occupies, from fear of falling to the ground. In connection 

 with all this disturbance, the horse sweats profusely, and blows or 

 breathes excitedly, having no heat in the feet, as in founder. It 

 will be well to remember this, in forming a correct opinion of the 

 ease. In severe cases the whole of the muscles of the body are 

 set to quivering, clearly indicating inflammatory rheumatism in 

 full force and degree. 



Causes. Sudden check to perspiration, by placing heated horses 

 in a current or draught of cold air, thus preventing the transuda- 

 tion through the skin of its formed and natural secretion, which 

 being absorbed by the blood, and acting as a poison, produces 

 inflammation in the sheaths of the tendons, and of the fibrous 

 parts or tissue. 



Treatment. The treatment of acute rheumatism is sometimes 

 unsatisfactory ; not that it is incurable, but from the fact that the 

 medicines which frequently cure one will not cure other cases. 



Give twenty-five drops of the tincture of aconite root every four 

 hours, till six doses are given. Place the horse in a cool, airy 

 place, with plenty of bedding under him, so as to induce him to 

 lie down ; then lightly cover the body, and apply cold water 

 swabs or loose cloths to the legs, keeping them continually wet, 

 from twelve to twenty-four hours. In winter, warm water will 

 answer best. By the time the six doses of aconite have been 

 taken, a great change for the better will have taken place ; so much 

 so, that, in many cases, the horse may be left to nature to complete 

 the cure. But, on the other hand, should the disease take a chronic 

 form, give drachm doses of the powdered meadow safiron seeds 

 twice in the day, and occasional doses of sixty drops of sulphuric 

 acid in half a bucket of cold water. Half ounce doses of the 

 sulphite of soda may be given as an alkali. Do not bleed or 

 purge. 



