DISEASES OF HORSES 201 



(phosphate of iron 2 drams, nux vomica 20 grains, powdered gentian 

 root 4 drams, daily) or 60 drops of sulphuric acid or nitromuriatic 

 acid may be given daily in the drinking water. If there is any ele- 

 vated temperature of the body and tenderness of the loins, fomenta- 

 tions may be applied, followed by a mustard pulp, as for acute inflam- 

 mation, and even in the absence of these indications the mustard 

 may be resorted to with advantage at intervals of a few days. In 

 suppression of urine, fomentations with warm water or with infusion 

 of digitalis leaves is a safer resort than diuretics, and cupping over 

 the loins may also benefit. To apply a cup, shave the skin and oil it ; 

 then take a narrow-mouthed glass, rarify the air within it by intro- 

 ducing a taper in full flame for a second, withdraw the taper and 

 instantly apply the mouth of the glass to the skin and hold it closely 

 applied till the cooling tends to form a vacuum in the glass and to 

 draw up the skin, like a sucker. 



As in the acute inflammation, every attention must be given to 

 secure warm clothing, a warm stall, and pure air. 



SPASM OF THE NECK OP THE BLADDER. 



This affection consists in spasmodic closure of the outlet from 

 the bladder by contraction of the circular muscular fibers. It may 

 be accompanied by a painful contraction of the muscles on the body 

 of the bladder; or, if the organ is already unduly distended, these 

 will be affected with temporary paralysis. It is most frequent in the 

 horse, but by no means unknown in the mare. 



Causes. The causes are usually hard and continuous driving 

 without opportunity for passing urine, cold rainstorms, drafts of cold 

 air when perspiring and fatigued, the administration of Spanish fly 

 or the application of extensive blisters of the same. As most mares 

 refuse to urinate while in harness, they should be unhitched at suit- 

 able times for urination. Spasms of the bowels are always attended 

 by spasm of the bladder, hence the free passage of water is usually a 

 symptom of relief. 



Symptoms. The symptoms are frequent stretching and strain- 

 ing to urinate, with no result or a slight dribbling only. These vain 

 efforts are attended by pain and groaning. On resuming his natural 

 position the animal is not freed from the pain, but moves uneasily, 

 paws, shakes the tail, kicks at the abdomen with his hind feet, looks 

 back to the flank, lies down and rises, arches the back, and attempts 

 to urinate as before. If the oiled hand is introduced into the rectum 

 the greatly distended bladder may be felt beneath, and the patient 

 will often shrink when it is handled. 



It is important to notice that irritation of the urinary organs is 

 often present in impaction of the colon with solid matters, because 

 the impacted intestine under the straining of the patient is forced 

 backward into the pelvis and presses upon and irritates the bladder. 

 In such cases the horse stands with his fore limbs advanced and the 

 hind ones stretched back beyond the natural posture, and makes fre- 

 quent efforts to urinate with varying success. Unpracticed observers 

 naturally conclude that the secondary urinary trouble is the main 

 and only one, and the intestinal impaction and obstruction is too 



