THE EXAMINATION OF A SICK HORSE. 9 



face is drawn, and the nostrils are dilatetl. The tail is usually held 

 up a little, and when pressed down against the thighs it springs back 

 to its previous position. In inflammation of the thi'oat, as in pharvn- 

 golaryngitis, the head is extended upon the neck and the angle be- 

 tween the jaw and the lower border of the neck is opened as fai- as 

 possible to relieve the pressure that otherwise would fall upon the 

 throat. In dumniiness, or immobility, the lianging position of the 

 head and the stupid expression are rather characteristic. In pleurisy, 

 peritonitis, and some other painful diseases of the internal organs, 

 the rigid position of the body denotes an effort of the animal to avoid 

 pressure upon and to protect the inflamed sensitive region. 



The horse may be down in the stall and unable to rise. This condi- 

 tion may result from paraplegia (paralysis), from azoturia, from 

 forage poisoning, from tetanus, or from painful conditions of the 

 bones or feet, such as osteoporosis or founder. Ikying down at 

 unusual times or in Unusual positions may indicate disease. The first 

 symptom of colic may be a desire on the part of the horse to lie down 

 at an unusual or inappropriate time or place. Sometimes disinclina- 

 tion to lie down is an indication of disease. "\Mien there is diniculty 

 in breathing, the horse knows that he can manage himself better 

 upon his feet than upon his breast or his side. It happens, therefore, 

 that in nearly all serious diseases of the respiratory tract he stands 

 persistently, day and night, until recovery has commenced and 

 breathing is easier, or until the animal falls from sheer exhaustion. 

 If there is stiffness and soreness of the muscles, as in rheumatism, 

 inflammation of the muscles from overwork, or of the bones in osteo- 

 porosis, or of the feet in founder, or if the muscles are stiff and be- 

 y(md control of the animal, as in tetanus, a standing position is main- 

 tained, because the horse seems to realize that when he lies down he 

 will be unable to rise. 



Abnormal attitudes are assumed in painful diseases of the diges- 

 tive organs (colic). A horse with colic may sit upon his haunches, 

 like a dog, or may stand upon his hind feet and rest upon his knees 

 in front, or he may endeavor to balance himself upon his back, with 

 all four feet in the air. These positions are assumed because they 

 give relief from pain by lessening pressure or tension u]ion the sensi- 

 tive structures. 



Under the general condition of the animal it is necessary to observe 

 the condition or state of nutrition, the confonuation, so far as it may 

 indicate the constitution, and the temperament. By observing the 

 condition of nutrition one may be able to detennine to a certain ex- 

 tent the effect that the disease has already had upon the animal and 

 to estimate the amount of strength that remains and that will be 

 available for the repair of the diseased tissues. A good condition of 

 nutrition is shown by the rotundity of the body, the pliability and 



