Sa THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



whole body surface, but more particularly in the region of 

 the neck, shoulders, flanks, etc., a peculiarity being the 

 very sudden appearance of the eminences, which frequently 

 disappear as quickly as they come. It is a common dis- 

 order in the summer months, or towards the autumn, when 

 horses are changing their coats, and probably occurs with 

 greater frequency among heavy than among light horses. The 

 disease is also known by the names 'nettle-rash,' 'surfeit,' etc. 



Causes. — Certain kinds of food produce it ; and, I think, 

 allowing an animal to drink when heated, allowing him to 

 cool off suddenly when hot and sweating freely, eating tares 

 or vetches, etc., are the most common causes of the trouble. 

 There is great sympathy as well as similarity between the 

 skin and mucous membranes, hence it may be readily under- 

 stood how derangement of the digestive system may operate 

 in producing urticaria. Take it all in all, digestive derange- 

 ment is, I think, the most common cause. 



Symptoms. — As before stated, the disorder is quickly pro- 

 duced. The eminences are elastic to the touch, and usually 

 round or oval in shape. They may disappear in a few hours, 

 or may persist for eight or ten days. In some cases as 

 quickly as one set of elevations disappear, they are followed 

 by a new lot. More or less of an itching sensation is usually 

 experienced, as is evinced by the animal scratching himself, 

 and there may be a slight constitutional disturbance, pulse 

 and appetite slightly affected, etc. 



Treatment. — The food of the animal is to be changed, as 

 well as reduced in quantity, the animal receiving very little 

 food for the first twenty-four hours, as a bran-mash, for in- 

 stance, or a purgative may be given, the action of which 

 will usually be followed by a remission of the symptoms. 

 In other cases nothing more may be required than a simple 

 diuretic, as potassae nitras, ol. junip., camphora?, colchicum, 

 etc., which may be given in the ordinary doses, and are 



