76 TREATMENT OF DISEASES 



are transmitted from parent to offspri g, and display themselves in 

 the development of parental defect and deformity. There are, 

 also, general exciting causes, such as exposure after perspiring 

 freely, damp and cold stables, errors in diet, or stable management, 

 over-work, &c. j 



Principal symptoms of chronic rheumatism. — The subject is gen- 

 erally observed to travel a limited, or stiffened gait at first, when 

 taken out of the stable. He aj^pears '•'•stiffened up,'''' as the saying 

 is, yet '■'■ Umbers up'''' as he proceeds. This depends, however, some- 

 what on the temperature of the atmosphere, for the animal is noth- 

 ing less than a walking barometer, and the slightest alteration in the 

 weather affects him very sensibly. 



The disease may manifest itself in the diffuse form, affecting the 

 body as well as the limbs and feet, which gives to the animal a sort 

 of wiry, spare appearance; yet otherwise, he appears well, and can 

 play his part at the game of food as well as any horse. In the ab- 

 sence of all inflammatory symptoms, this peculiar and almost ruined 

 condition is designated by some as general founder ; and as no one 

 has ever drawn a line of demarcation between what is known to 

 medical men as chronic rheumatism, and what the rest of the 

 world denominate chronic founder, we shall consider that chronic 

 rheumatism is founder, and vice versa. 



Passing from the diffuse form, this chronic affection may locate in 

 the muscles of the trunk; then it gets the name of '•'• body founder. '''' 

 The animal is then unable to move the body in lateral directions, 

 without showing an awkward stiffness ; and on being made to turn 

 a corner, when going at a smart gait, a stiffness, apparently in the 

 spinal regions, is generally perceived. 



At times it locates in the pectoral region, and in consequence of 

 either long continued pain (which is known to exhaust muscular ro- 

 tundity), or innutrition, the parts present a shrunken or hollow 

 aspect. In the absence of acute symptoms, this is the veritable 

 " chest founder,'''' 



A disease of this character long confined to one or both shoulders 

 fs often followed by a similar wasting of the spinatus muscles, and 

 is often termed " sweeney." The same condition of parts, however, 

 may be the consequence of diseased feet, for we often observe an 

 atrophy, or wasting of the above muscles in animals that have long 

 been the subjects of chronic laminitis, and altered structures about 

 the feet. The tcvvo. founder is often applied to a ruined state of 

 these parts. Chronic I'heumatism is more apt to localize itself than 

 the acute kind, and once located, it is not so easily removed, although 

 the animal may receive benefit from the ordinary means, such as 

 warm clothing, and stimulating embrocations; yet, when exposed to 

 wet or cold, he again relapes into his former condition, traveling 

 stiff and lame as ever. The stiffness and lameness, if there be any, 

 attending chronic rheumatism, disappears to a certain extent after a 

 brisk trot, whereas acute rheumatism is generally aggravated by 

 exercise. 



Chronic rheumatism may, however, appear in one spot to-day, 

 and to-morrow manifest itself in another, yet the affected parts ex- 

 hibit none ot the heat or tenderness, difficult resi)iration, wiry 

 pulse, or lunctional disturbance which attend the acute sta<IP^ so 



