800 CHAPTER 55. 



801. Diuresis, or Excessive Staling. 



For the sake of convenience we have grouped this affection along with 

 diseases of the Kidneys and Bladder; but in diuresis the urinary appa- 

 ratus is not in reality diseased; there is only excessive action of the 

 organs, due to derangement of the digestive functions, or to an abnormal 

 condition of the blood. 



Diuresis, or excessive staling, of very clear urine, produces great pros- 

 tration of strength, and may, if neglected, end fatally. More often, 

 however, if not relieved, it brings on such a deteriorated state of the 

 system that some* acute disease supervenes and carries off the patient. 



802. Symptoms. 



The principal symptom, other than excessive staling, is extreme thirst. 

 The horse drinks readily and greedily, and if he be not indulged will 

 refuse his food. The skin is dry, and the coat is rough and staring. The 

 digestion is generally out of order, and the bowels are torpid. The 

 appetite is capricious, depraved and impaired. From the prostration 

 induced the horse sweats easily and is incapable of much exertion, and 

 falls away rapidly in condition. 



803. Causes. 



The causes of this disease are various. Most frequently they are con- 

 nected with the use of bad forage. Mow-burnt or mouldy hay, and kiln- 

 dried oats are especially apt to produce it by reason of their diuretic 

 effect on the kidneys. The water in particular localities sometimes also 

 affects these organs. More rarely it occurs as a sequel of any glandular 

 disease such as strangles, or of any derangement of the organs of diges- 

 tion. 



In some cases it may be traced to the frequent use of " condition 

 balls," a main constituent of which is often nitre or turpentine, which act 

 as stimulants on the kidneys, and by their irritating action cause con- 

 tinual and excessive function of those organs. 



Diuresis must not be confounded with that simple augmentation in the 

 amount of urine, which may arise from a multitude of causes, some of 

 them alimentary, and others of a nervous character. Such augmentation 

 when only temporary, must not be viewed in the light of disease. Change 

 in the food, for instance, often affects the secretion. Thus, if a horse be 

 put on tares, the urine will not only be increased, but will become whitish 

 and show a great deal of sediment. 



804. Treatment. 



The treatment must necessarily vary according to the cause from which 

 the disease proceeds in each particular instance. 



If the forage is in fault, it will probably be sufficient to change it. In 

 all cases, however, a change of food is beneficial. Grass, whenever it can 

 be procured, should be given. 



