DISEASES OF HORSES 71 



Symptoms. The disease is characterized by a progressive per- 

 nicious anemia, remittent fever, and gradual emaciation in spite 

 of a voracious appetite. It begins to manifest itself by a dull, list- 

 less appearance and by general weakness, the animal tiring very 

 easily. This stage is followed closely by a staggering, swaying, un- 

 certain gait, the hind legs being mostly affected. There is also 

 noted a weakness and tenderness in the region of the loins, and at 

 the same time the pulse increases in rapidity and may run as high 

 as 70, though weak, stringy, and intermittent. The temperature 

 may rise to 103 F. or higher, remaining high for several days, and 

 then dropping, to rise again at irregular intervals. Toward the end 

 of the disease the temperature occasionally remains persistently 

 high. The horse may improve for a time, but usually this tempo- 

 rary improvement is followed by a more severe attack than the first. 

 Venous regurgitation is sometimes noticed in the jugular before 

 death. The quantity of urine passed is enormous in some cases. 

 Death finally occurs from exhaustion or syncope. 



Diagnosis. The diagnosis of the disease is not difficult, espe- 

 cially in advanced stages. The insidious onset, remittent fever, 

 progressive emaciation and anemia, unimpaired or ravenous appe- 

 tite, staggering gait, and polyuria are a train of symptoms which 

 make the disease sufficiently characteristic to differentiate it from 

 other diseases affecting horses in this country. The peculiar relaps- 

 ing type of fever, the great reduction in the number of red blood 

 cells, and the absence of eosinophilia are sufficient to differentiate it 

 from the anemias produced by internal parasites, while it may be 

 readily distinguished from surra by the nonsusceptibility of cattle 

 and by the great ease with which the trypanosoma may be found 

 in the latter affection. 



Prognosis. The prognosis of the disease is very unfavorable. 

 Veterinarians in different sections of the country where it is preva- 

 lent report a mortality of 75 per cent or even higher. Recovery 

 takes place only when treatment is begun early or when the animal 

 has a long convalescent period. 



Treatment. The treatment of the disease has so far 'been far 

 from satisfactory. The iodid, permanganate, and carbonate of potash 

 have been used. Arsenic, axytol, quinin, and silver preparations 

 have been suggested, but all have uniformly been without success. 

 Intestinal antiseptics have been resorted to, and the results are en- 

 couraging but not altogether satisfactory. Symptomatic treatment 

 seems to be the most dependable. The mortality from this affection 

 has been reduced by giving an antipyretic of 40 grains of quinin, 2 

 drams of acetanilid, and 30 grains of powdered nux vomica four 

 times daily. 



In the late stages, with weak heart action, alcohol should be 

 substituted for acetanilid. Cold-water sponge baths may be given, 

 and in addition frequent copious injections of cold water per rec- 

 tum, which has a beneficial effect in reducing the temperature and 

 in stimulating peristalsis of the bowels, which, as a result of the 

 disease, show a tendency to become torpid during the fever. Avoid 



