458 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



appetite is highly capricious, the patient one day eating 

 heartily, and on the next day refusing all food. The pulse 

 is weak, but not quickened ; the thirst is insatiable, enor- 

 mous quantities of water being consumed apparently with 

 the greatest satisfaction. The coat stares, and the animal 

 perspires freely on being put to the slightest exertion. 

 Enormous quantities of urine are discharged. The animal 

 becomes much weakened, raj^idly falling off in flesh until 

 frightfully emaciated ; and, unless something in the way of 

 relief be quickly done, death soon results. 



Treatment. — The practitioner should first, if possible, 

 discover the exciting cause, and remove it. The animal 

 should have a change of food in all cases, and it is usually 

 advisable to change the drinking-water also. Cooked food, 

 as boiled oats, bran, etc., should be given. A recipe that was 

 highly thought of by Professor Dick is the following : iodi, 

 3i., potassse iodid., 3i. once daily. It is of the greatest service 

 in long-continued cases of polyuria. It is, however, by no 

 means a specific for the condition. In severe or urgent 

 cases it may be given twice a day, in combination with any 

 of the vegetable or mineral tonics. If its use does not 

 appear to be attended with benefit, ferri iodid., ferri sul- 

 phat., etc., may be tried. Pure water should be frequently 

 given, and in small quantities. 



ALBUMINURIA. 



By albuminuria is meant a condition of the urine cha- 

 racterized by the presence of large quantities of albumen. 

 It may occur as a result of acute desquamative nephritis, 

 but is more frequently caused by some irregularity of diet, 

 faulty digestion, etc., giving rise to derangement of the 

 nervous system. It is identical with the disease known as 

 * Eright's disease ' in the human family. 



