68 THE ARMY HORSE IN ACCIDENT AND DISEASE. 



The lumbar rcj^ion is very sensitive to tlie pressure of the hand. 

 At the beginnin<ij of the disease we often have renal or kidney colics. 

 The back is arched, the gait stiff and staggering, rising is painfid; the 

 animal remains almost constantly standing. The appetite may be 

 lost. The temperature is elevated; in some cases it may range very 

 high. 



TreatTToent. — Remove the cause if possible; avoid all irritating 

 food or medicines, and give absolute rest. Try to induce sweating 

 by energetic nd)bings upon the surface of the whole body; also by 

 warm blankets, and wet, tepid compresses applied upon the loins. 

 Give the following physic: Aloes 6 drams, calomel 1 dram, ginger 1 

 dram. Make into a ball and give at one dose. It has a most favor- 

 able action, because the purging draws a large quantity of water from 

 the system. 



If there is a total suppression of urine, ^ ounce of fluid extract 

 digitalis, well rubbed in on each side of the loins over the kidne3^s, 

 will have a beneficial effect by stimulating the kidneys without caus- 

 ing irritation. This application should not be used more than once. 



DIABETES INSIPIDUS— SIMPLE DIABETES (pISSINg). 



A disease characterized by great thirst, excessive urination, and 

 great languor and emaciation. 



In the majority of cases it is caused by poor and tainted food. In 

 some ca.ses it seems to ])e due to a constitutional cause. 



Symptoms. — Excessive urination, from 6 to 12 gallons every twenty- 

 four hours; great thirst, the animal sometimes drinking from 20 to 

 25 gallons of water in twenty-four liours; depraved ap])etite; urine 

 of a very pale color, sometimes as clear as water; the skin is harsh 

 and the coat is unhealthy looking. 



Treatment. — Give good, clean, and nutritious food. Administer 

 iodine in l-dram doses three times a day and diminish (juantity as 

 thethii-st is lessened and the urine is diminished. 



RETENTION OF TIIK UKINE. 



An inability, total or partial, to expel by natural effort the urine 

 contained in the bladder. It is caused by spasm of the neck of the 

 bladder, and is often a complication of colic. 



SymptoTTis. — Frequent and ineffectual attempts to urinate; if 

 standing the animal will stretch himself out, strain violently, and 

 groan with pam, discharging but a few drops of urine, or none at all; 

 by examination per rectum the bladder is felt to be greatly distended, 

 antl this is the diagnostic or distinguishing symptom. 



Treatnoent. — -Pass the catheter antl draw off the urine. If retention 

 of the urine is due to an accumulation of dirt in the penis, washing 

 will remove the cause. 



