DISEASES OF HORSES 407 







soning there is seldom any increase in temperature. A blue line 

 forms along the gums of the front teeth, and the breath assumes a 

 peculiarly offensive odor. Lead can always be detected in the urine 

 by chemical tests. 



Treatment. The administration of 2-dram doses of iodide of 

 potassa three times a day. This will form iodide of lead in the sys- 

 tem, which is rapidly excreted by the kidneys. If much muscular 

 weakness or paralysis is present, sulphate of iron in 1-dram doses 

 and strychnia in 2-grain doses may be j^iven twice a day. In all 

 cases of suspected lead poisoning all utensils which have entered into 

 the supply of feed or water should be examined for the presence of 

 soluble lead. If it occurs near lead works, great care must be given 

 to the supply of uncontaminated fodder, etc. 



FORAGE POISONING, OR SO-CALLED CEREBRO-SPINAL MENINGITIS. 



This disease prevails among horses in nearly all parts of the 

 United States. It is most common in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, 

 North Carolina, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, New York, Kansas, Mis- 

 souri, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Certain localities are visited by 

 it almost every year. This condition consists in a poisoning and de- 

 pression of the nervous system from eating or drinking food or 

 water containing poison generated by mold or bacteria. It has been 

 shown to be due to eating damaged ensilage, corn, brewers' grains, 

 oats, etc., or to drinking stagnant pond water or water from a well 

 contaminated by surface drainage. Horses at pasture may contract 

 this disease when the growth of grass is so profuse that it mats to- 

 gether and the lower part dies and ferments or becomes moldy. 



In England a similar disease has been called grass staggers, due 

 to eating rye grass when it is ripening or when it is cut and eaten 

 while it is heating and undergoing fermentation. In eastern Penn- 

 sylvania it was formerly known by the name of putrid sore throat 

 and choking distemper. A disease similar in many respects, which 

 is very prevalent in Virginia, especially along the eastern border, is 

 commonly known by the name of "blind staggers," and in many of 

 the Southern States has been attributed to the consumption of 

 worm-eaten corn. Horses of all ages and mules are subject to this 

 disease. 



Symptoms. The symptoms which typify sporadic, or (epi- 

 demic, cerebro-spinal meningitis in man are not witnessed among 

 horses, namely, excessive pain, high fever, and early muscular rigid- 

 ity. In the recognition of the severity of the attack we may divide 

 the symptoms into three grades. In the most rapidly fatal attacks 

 the animal may first indicate it by weak, staggering gait, partial or 

 total inability to swallow solids or liquids, impairment of eyesight; 

 twitching of the muscles, and slight cramps may be observed. As 

 a rule, the temperature is not elevated indeed, it is sometimes be- 

 low normal. This is soon followed by a paralysis of the whole body, 

 inability to stand, delirium in which the animal sometimes goes 

 through a series of automatic movements as if trotting or running; 

 the delirium may become vorv violent and the animal in his un- 

 consciousness may bruise his head in his struggles very seriously, 



