NEPHRITIS. 455 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of chronic nephritis are much 

 milder than those of ^ the disease in the acute form. The 

 urine is scant in quantity, and usually high-coloured. No 

 sev^ere abdominal pain is manifested, as in the acute form ; 

 but as a rule the animal shovvs a slight stiffness in the 

 region of the loins "when first brought out. This symptom, 

 however, soon disappears with exercise. The anima? 

 stretches himself in the stall, stretching out his hind legs, 

 and will stand, sometimes for hours, in that position. He 

 gradually falls off in condition. (Edemic swellings now 

 begin to appear in connection with the limbs. The animal 

 is somewhat dull and languid in his appearance, as well as 

 in his movements. The pulse becomes slightly elevated 

 and the appetite somewhat impaired and capricious. 



Treatment. — It is not necessary to give powerful remedies. 

 A mild oleaginous laxative should be given in preference 

 to cathartics of a drastic character. The animal should be 

 freely supplied with, and encouraged to take, mucilaginous 

 drinks. Counter-irritation over the region of the loins is 

 perhaps of greater benefit in this than in the acute form of 

 nephritis. Antimonii tart, is recommended by some j^rac- 

 titioners on account of its supposed tendency to produce 

 diaphoresis. It may be given in doses of 3i. — 3ii. night 

 and morning. A horse that has suffered once, and has 

 recovered, should occasionally be given a mild diuretic, 

 as potassium nitrate. The occasional administration of sodae 

 carb. in the usual quantities may also be found very useful. 

 If diuretics have no effect, it proves that the trouble is not 

 due to functional inactivity of the glands. In such a case 

 careful feeding on boiled oats, bran mashes, etc., should be 

 tried. Rest should be allowed the animal, and during 

 convalescence gentle exercise should be given, and the 

 animal put on a course of tonics. The food should be of 

 the very best, given in properly regulated quantities, and 



