DISEASES AND TREATMENT OF THE HORSE. 225 



RHEUMATISM. 



This is a kind of chronic inflammation in the tendons and 

 ligaments around the joints, and may affect any joint of the body. 



Causes. — l^ ^aen follows weakening- diseases whert /he 

 animal is allowed^ to run out and lay on the cold, damp ground or 

 from bad blood, when there is too much acid in it. 



Symptoms. — There is a slight soreness, swelling and lame- 

 ness in the joints, changing from one joint to the other, and is 

 noticed to be worse in damp weather. 



Treatment. — Rub the affected joints well two or three times a 



day with white liniment ; also give the following : 



Salicylic Acid ^ pound. 



Nitrate of Potash or Saltpetre i " 



Common Soda ^ " 



Mix thoroughly and give a large teaspoonful three times a 



day. This medicine acts like a charm in rheumatism. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



DISEASES OF THE FEET. 



ACUTE FOUNDER (LAMINITIS). 



This is inflammation of the sensitive part of the foot, or what 

 is commonly called the quick of the foot. 



Causes. — This disease is very easily brought on by driving or 

 working a horse hard and then giving him a cold drink of water, 

 or allowing him to stand in a draft while he is warm. This 

 checks the perspiration suddenly and drives the blood to the feel, 

 which sets up inflammation in them. Sometimes by giving an 

 animal a small feed of wheat it will first cause acute indigestion, 

 and then turn to a bad case of founder. It may aff'ect mares a 

 few days after foaling, especially if they do not have their natural 

 flow of milk, or if by catching cold after foaling it should settle in 

 their feet. Hard driving and bad shoeing will also cause it. 

 Lung troubles sometimes terminate in founder. 



Symptoms. — Founder generally affect the front feet, but may 

 afi"ect the hind feet and the symptoms are plain. The pulse beats 

 strong and runs up to from 50 to 75 beats per minute. The 

 animal sweats freely and breathes heavy and quick ; he generally 

 stands on his feet for a few days at the first of the disease ; he 

 5tands in a peculiar way ; his front feet v/ill be stretched out as 



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