408 HORSE, SWINE AND POULTRY DISEASES 



but usually a deep coma renders him quiet until he expires. Death 

 in these cases usually takes place in from four to twenty-four hours 

 from the time the first symptoms become manifest. The pulse is 

 variable during the progress of the disease; it may be almost im- 

 perceptible at times, and then again very rapid and irregular; the 

 respirations generally are quick and catching. In the next form in 

 which this disease may develop it first becomes manifest by a diffi- 

 culty in swallowing and slowness in mastication, and a weakness 

 which may be first noticed in the strength of the tail; the animal 

 will be unable to switch it or to offer resistance when we bend it up 

 over the croup. The pulse is often a little slower than normal. 

 There is no evidence of pain; the respirations are unchanged, and 

 the temperature little less than normal; the bowels may be some- 

 what constipated. These symptoms may remain unchanged for 

 two or three days and then gradual improvement take place, or the 

 power to swallow may become entirely lost and the weakness and 

 uncertainty in gait more and more perceptible; then sleepiness or 

 coma may appear; the pulse becomes depressed, slow, and weak, the 

 breathing stertorous, and paroxysms of delirium develop, with in- 

 ability to stand, and some rigidity of the spinal muscles or partial 

 cramp of the neck and jaws. In such cases death may occur in 

 from six to ten days from the commencement of the attack. In 

 many cases there is no evidence of pain, spasm, or fever at any time 

 during the progress of the disease, and finally profound coma de- 

 velops and death follows, painless and without a struggle. 



In the last or mildest form the inability of voluntary control of 

 the limbs becomes but slightly marked, the power of swallowing 

 never entirely lost, and the animal has no fever, pain, or unconscious 

 movements. Generally the animal will begin to improve about the 

 fourth day and recovers. 



In a few cases the spinal symptoms, manifested by paraplegia, 

 may be the most prominent symptoms ; in others they may be alto- 

 gether absent and the main symptoms be difficulty in mastication 

 and swallowing; rarely it may affect one limb only. In all cases 

 where coma remains absent for six or seven days the animal is likely 

 to recover. When changes toward recovery take place, the symp- 

 toms usually leave in the reverse order in which they developed, but 

 local paralysis may remain for some time, rarely persistent. 



One attack does not give immunity, for it may recur at some 

 later time and prove fatal. Horses have been known to pass through 

 three attacks, being affected for a week or longer each time. 



Treatment. In the worst class of cases treatment is very seldom 

 successful, and it is dangerous to attempt the administration of 

 medicine by the mouth, on account of the inability of the animal to 

 swallow. If the condition of the animal will admit of a drench, give 

 4 to 6 ounces of whisky in 2 pints of milk; the inhalation of am- 

 monia vapor from a sponge saturated with dilute aqua ammonia 

 may arouse consciousness. 



In the second class of cases a purge should always be given, and 

 the further treatment recommended is to give strychnia in 2-grain 



