326 DIABETES MELLITUS. 



the food given, besides being nutritious, is as devoid as possible 

 of materials of a purely saccharine or starchy nature, seems to 

 hold out prospects the most encouraging. Of medicinal agents 

 the most deserving of notice are opium in combination in the 

 form of Dover's powder ; or some of the mineral acids given in 

 small and repeated doses, either alone or in combination with 

 some corresponding salt of iron. Cod-liver oil, both from a 

 physiological point of view as also from the terms in which its. 

 employment in actual practice has been spoken of, is deserving 

 of a trial. It ought, however, to be remembered that there is 

 a strong probability that every separate case of this disease is 

 attended with a different series of complications, requiring a 

 somewhat different management, and calling for a separate 

 study. 



The only instance, in a period of over twenty-five years' 

 practice, which appeared to me truly a case of saccharine dia- 

 betes in the horse, was that of a six-year-old agricultural 

 stallion. This animal, after having shown for a lengthened 

 period symptoms of confirmed indigestion and an unthrifty 

 condition, I was desired to undertake the charge of The 

 previous history was short and quite reliable: he had been 

 bred upon the farm, was of a rather sluggish or lymphatic 

 temperament, and had never previously suffered from ilhiess • 

 he was kept almost entirely for stock j^urposes, being only 

 occasionally worked during the winter on the farm. For some 

 months previous to being placed under treatment he had 

 been steadily developing symptoms of ill health; although 

 his food had been consumed as usual, and his work had been 

 lightened to favour him, he kept steadily losing flesh, and in 

 the draught showed want of energy, with a greater disposition 

 to perspire than was his habit. There was also, latterly, an 

 inclination to swallow clay and foul material, an increased 

 discharge of urine, and a greater desire for water. When 

 examined by me all these symptoms were well marked ; and 

 in addition, it Avas noted that the skin was particularly un- 

 thrifty, harsh, and dry to the touch, with an extra quantity of 

 bran-like scales being shed from it, and the coat Avas over the 

 average length without the usual glossy character of an entire 

 horse. The respirations Avere slightly abdominal, the pulse 

 triflingly increased in numlKer, soft and dicrotic. On being 





