54 CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT OF 



nervous system, especially of the spinal cord, or you would have 

 paralysis. It varies in intensity and may show itself only when back- 

 ing the horse In fact, you will sometimes find a horse that you cannot 

 back at all, which may be from indisposition, or due to chorea. If the 

 horse walks straight along, you may see no signs ; bnt stop him, and 

 try to back him, and there is great difficulty. Tail raised up ; muscles 

 will jerk and shiver, etc. More common in highly nervous animals ; 

 more common in well bred horses than in coarse bred, and some breeds 

 are more subject to it than others. Some slight injury will produce it in 

 one predisposed to it. It is aggravated by any derangement of the 

 digestive organs, and will show itself in just about the same way, no 

 difference how it is produced. It is an unsoundness, but does not inter- 

 fere with the animals' usefulness very much. When you examine a 

 horse, back him pretty forcibly. If he cannot back and the tail raises 

 up, you may conclude such an animal is not sound. It is a progressive 

 disease. It may supervene castration. In such a case use bromide of 

 potassium in pretty fair doses, and then nux vomica; continued for some 

 time. You may have loss of power for some time ; or tail will jerk up ; 

 horse stands from side to side ; sits or falls down, and cannot get up 

 again It is just another form of chorea. You may think something is 

 the matter with the back, which might be possible, but more likely to be 

 from the spinal cord, which interfere with the great nerve passing to the 

 posterior extremities. In such a case the animal is entirely useless. 

 May trot along quite well for some distance, but put him in the stall and 

 excite him, and all the above symptoms will be seen. I do not think, as 

 a general thing, that anything can be done for it. Another form is 

 spasmodic action of the muscles of the fore extremities, and only shows 

 itself after the animal has been driven some time and is greatly excited, 

 when you will find well marked symptoms. Shows great lameness after 

 driving, but if allowed to stand for some time will show it but little ; 

 drive again, and similar symptoms will take place. In dogs we find 

 another form of chorea, in connection with distemper. Dogs may suffer 

 from epilepsy ; more likely to have epilepsy than the horse. All the 

 muscles of the head and body may become comatose, and so lie until 

 relieved by death. 



Treatment. — Bromide of potassium, and then nux vomica. I believe 

 there is no better remedy than bromide of potassium. In epilepsy in 

 dogs, give porridge, etc., with small allowance of animal food. Allow 

 exercise and fresh air. 



Convulsive Erg-otisiii. — More frequently met with in cattle than 

 other animals. Animals fed upon brewers' waste are more likely to have 

 it, but it may come from other well marked causes. Nothing exerts more 

 peculiar effect on animals than ergot. Most marked effects upon healthy 

 body, from long continued use, is diarrhiea, external suppuration, gan- 

 grene, and drojjping of the toes. Alarming symptoms have appeared 

 from the long-continued use of rye. Again it takes on the convulsive 

 form, which, I think, is the form met with in veterinary practice, but we 

 may meet with both forms. Sprouted corn may produce this. I think 

 it has been produced in this way. It affects both brain and cord. I 

 have seen in this city some cases that might be called ergotism, produced 

 by well marked causes. Sprouted grain produced it in the cases to 

 which I have referred in this city. It affected the nervous system, and 

 gave rise to well marked symptoms. If this food was acted upon by 

 boiling water, it would destroy its bad effects. 



Symptoms. — Dull, drowsy appearance, almost comatose ; loss of power 

 in hind extremities. If you attempt to move him, or press upon his neck. 



