^04 



CAUSES, SYMPTOMS AND TREATMENT Of 



become serious ; but I do not know whether the horse, after recovering, 

 is more liable to another attack or not ; but when recovering, and the 

 appetite is good, if he is allowed to eat too much, it is more apt to 

 return. Nitrate of potash is another remedy, but I prefer one to one and 

 a-half ounces of carbonate of soda each day for several days. Blood- 

 letting is recommended, and, if taken in the early stages, it is, possibly, 

 beneficial. Sedatives are not demanded if the pulse is weak and amrao- 

 niacal stimulants are not generally advisable. Do not push opium too 

 far, but if there is much pain give belladonna or hypodermic injections of 

 morphia, and, unless the animal is suffering great pain, do not give 

 opiates. I saw a case combined with spasms of the diaphragm. This 

 proves serious. Give anti-spasmodics ; the other treatment is the same. 

 When he lies down the spasms are increased, and respiration is more 

 difficult, and death may result from asphyxia. 



Metritis, Inflammation of the Uterus.— In the mare this is in- 

 flammation of the substance of the womb — it is endo-metritus when 

 confined to the lining membrane. It is usually a sequel of parturition 

 when prolonged, or where force has been used. But there are other 

 causes — as exposure after foaling, lying on damp ground, etc., and these 

 are common causes of it when it is not due to parturition. 



Symptoms. — It usually occurs in three or four days after parturition. 

 There is uneasiness and pain; the back is arched--straining— and, in 

 some cases there is a dark red fluid passes from the vagina. In some 

 cases she will lie down, moan, and occasionally cast anxious glances to 

 the abdomen ; the pulse quick and wiry, the mouth hot, the ears cold or 

 alternately cold and hot ; cold sweats, perhaps, appear behind the 

 shoulders and in the flanks, and the vulva may be swollen ; the urine is 

 passed often and in small quantities, and the symptoms may be more 

 aggravated, apd the animal may die in two or three days. This disease 

 may extend and involve the peritoneum, but not so apt to do this as in 

 cows. 



Treatment. — Allay the action of the heart by Fleming's tincture of 

 aconite, ten to fifteen drops ; combat the pain by opium or hypodermic 

 injection of morphia, and keep her comfortable ; if cold, clothe nicely ; 

 counter-irritation to the loins is recommended — as mustard, hot cloths, 

 or a newly -flayed sheep-skin ; but do not keep the sheep-skin on too long, 

 perhaps twenty-four hours will do, and keep the parts warm after taking 

 it ofi'— and give injections. It is also recommended to inject the uterus, 

 and you may put laudanum in the water. Give a purgative — ten or 

 twelve ounces of oil, which is preferable to aloes. Treat it about the 

 same as inflammation of the bowels. Keep her extremely warm. If 

 there is a discharge from the vagina, inject first with tepid water, then 

 with a solution of sulphate of zinc, or carbolic acid, one part to forty or 

 fifty of water. 



Leuehorrhoeaj or Whites. — This is met with in old debilitated 

 mares, especially after they cease to breed. There is a white, g'airy dis- 

 charge from the uterus, which looks like curdled milk. It sometimes 

 accumulates in the uterus and then comes away in large quantities, and 

 there is a foetid smell ; the animal gradually becomes debilitated. Dis- 

 ease of the ovaries may produce it, but it is most likely to occur from 

 debility. It is common in well-bred cattle, and may be associated with 

 tubercular disease in cattle. 



Treatment. — Use both local and constitutional treatment. First inject 

 the uterus with warm water, and then with cold water — and one of the . 

 best preparations is carbolic acid, about one to forty, which may, in some 



