CHOREA. 143 



bring him forward suddenly, taking care to excite him 

 somewhat. The disease is so severe sometimes as to cause 

 the leg to reach the belly in its spasmodic movements. In 

 such cases, the foot continually striking the belly causes 

 the hair to become worn off the part. The disease may 

 be caused by exposure to cold; by irritation of the 

 periphery of the nerve, as in cauterizing or blistering for 

 ringbone. The ringbone disappears, but the nerve is 

 irritated and stringhalt is the result. Some horses do not 

 show it outside in the least, either in walking, trotting, 

 backing, turning, etc. ; but do show it in the stable, when 

 moving from side to side. Stringhalt constitutes an un- 

 soundness. A case of well-marked stringhalt may be met 

 w^ith in March ; in May, when the hot season arrives, it will 

 appear to be nearly or quite well. If it is only a slight case, 

 it does not affect the usefulness of the animal. Sometimes 

 a case of stringhalt is developed within a very short time. 



Treatment. — It is incurable, but may be palliated by 

 giving a cathartic, nerve sedatives, etc., as belladonna and 

 bromide of potassium in the ordinary sized doses. 



Shivering. — Shivering is another form of chorea, due, in 

 all probability, to some lesion of the spinal cord. It affects 

 the posterior parts, more particularly the muscles of the 

 gluteal and femoral regions. It varies in intensity to a 

 considerable extent. 



Symptoms. — Shivering is best noticed when the animal is 

 backing, or endeavouring to back, as in many cases it is 

 utterly impossible for the animal to back at all. It is more 

 noticeable if the animal be harnessed to a vehicle, when, on 

 trying to back the animal, it is discovered that he cannot 

 back; or, if he does, it is only with the greatest difficulty, 

 and causes him to become very much excited. He acts as 

 though stubborn, a peculiar twitching of the muscles is 

 observable, and the tail is slightly elevated and quivering, 



