AZOTURIA 597 



SCARLATINA 



It must not be supposed that this disease resembles the fever ivnown by 

 that name in man, nor is it communicable from the horse. It is akin to 

 purpura, showing the spots {petechice) on the membranes and swellings 

 about the body, but with this difference : the petechipe are scarlet instead 

 of purple, and the swellings small and exuding a serosity like that of 

 a blister. Sore throat is a prominent symptom in scarlatina and an excep- 

 tional one in purpura. 



Treatment. — Good nursing and sanitary surroundings, freedom from 

 draughts and avoidance of chills being most important. Chlorate of 

 potash as a blood oxidizer is most in favour, and may be given in two 

 drachm doses for several days, followed by mineral acids and quinine or 

 gentian and calumba, if there is digestive feebleness. 



AZOTURIA 



Is THE RESULT of dietetic errors, and characterized by spasm and paralysis 

 of the hind-quarters, which comes on very suddenly when at Avork. It was 

 formerly called hysteria, as it was first observed in mares, but is not confined 

 to one sex. As a consequence of high feeding and incapacity to appropriate 

 the rich products in the blood, a form of self-poisoning ensues, which in 

 some respects resembles both gout and lumbago in man. 



Symjytoms. — Sudden and acute lameness, followed by complete failure of 

 the hind-quarters within a few seconds of what seems to be a false step. 

 The subject has probably travelled but a short distance, after a few days' 

 idleness in the stable, when this occurs. The pain evinced is very acute, 

 and the animal wears an agonized and often angry expression. It is with 

 great difficulty he is walked home, and it is probable that some horses are 

 slaughtered under the impression that the back is broken. The urine is very 

 dark-coloured and, if tested in the usual way, shows a great quantity of urea 

 and of hippurates, besides, in some cases, albumen. 



Treatment. — Remove with care to the nearest available stable and support 

 in slings. Give a bold dose of aloes, back-rake and wash out the bowel with 

 clysters of soap and water. A pillow-case, full of scalded bran, laid over the 

 loins appears to give relief, but no blistering agents should be applied. If 

 the ui'ine is not passed — its scalding quality and the difficulty of posturing 

 induces the animal to retain it — the catheter should be used to draw it off. 

 Bleeding from the jugular vein is recommended early in the attack, and 

 without waiting for the operation of the aloetic purge, half-ounce doses of 

 salicylate of soda may be given three times in twenty-four hours. The 

 debility produced in a short time is so great that a low diet should not be 

 prescribed when the animal has recovered sufficiently to desire food. Exer- 

 cise should be confined at first to a few minutes' walking, and increased 

 daily. 



Bad attacks often leave permanent lameness or " catching " of one limb, 

 and the patient is predisposed to a recurrence of it. 



