FEVEllS. 85 



matory disorders ; bowels commonly costive ; urine 

 scanty and high coloured. 



These are the symptoms of a simple inflamma- 

 tory or idiopathic fever, which, though of rare oc- 

 currence in the horse, does undoubtedly sometimes 

 occur. Some suppose that a simple inflammatory 

 or idiopathic fever, such as we have described, 

 never attacks the horse without local inflammation 

 existing, as of the stomach, intestines, lungs, &c. ; 

 and as such they call it a symptomatic fever, 

 because the fever proceeds, they say, fi'om some 

 local disease ; but I can assure these gentlemen, in 

 several cases of this kind, I could not trace any 

 evidence of such local inflammation present, either 

 from the actions of the horse, or any other symp- 

 toms. When cases of this kind do occur, where 

 you are doubtful, after a close examination, whether 

 it be an idiopathic, or symptomatic fever, that is 

 present, in these instances bleed the animal more 

 freely than otherwise, and I am assured you can- 

 not err materially. 



The simple inflammatory fever is occasioned 

 most commonly from the horse being carelessly 

 exposed to cold when he is heated, or to cold and 

 wet. These obstruct the perspiration, and disorder 

 the functions of the brain and nervous system, 

 apparently with a peculiar morbid excitement; 



