544 THE PRACTICE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE. 



Germans has been termed 'comaglobinuria.' The nature of 

 the disease has given rise to a great deal of discussion, and it 

 has never been quite decided what name would be the most 

 suitable for it ; but ' azoturia ' is pretty generally accepted, 

 and perhaps is the name in most common use. 



Causes. — The disease is caused by an excess of albumen. 

 For instance, a horse is worked regularly and receives a 

 large supply of good food, when from some cause he is 

 allowed to stand for several days idle in the stable, but 

 still receives the usual quantity of rich and stimulating food, 

 as a result of which the system becomes loaded with 

 albumen ; large quantities of urea and hippuric acid are 

 formed, secreted by the liver, and retained within the system 

 in consequence of the kidneys acting in an improper 

 manner, and the nervous system becomes affected by the 

 urea. The animal is now taken out and exercised. The 

 slightest exercise will be sufficient to develop the trouble, 

 more particularly if it be rapid. The albumen, w^hich is pre- 

 sent in excessive quantities in the blood, now undergoes 

 rapid oxidation, and exerts a peculiar effect upon certain 

 muscles, causing tonic contraction, more j)articularly of the 

 large muscles of the loins and quarters. The disease may 

 occur during any season, but in Canada is most common 

 during the winter months, in consequence of, as frequently 

 occurs, a horse being hardly ridden, then kq3t in the 

 stable for a day or two, and highly fed in the meantime, 

 after which he is taken out, exercised, and the disease 

 -developed. As a rule, a rest of forty-eight hours is required 

 to produce the peculiar condition of the system predisposing 

 to an attack, and which, being present, requires only exer- 

 cise for its development. The disease is by no means un- 

 common amongst road horses. Prof. Smith says : ' I am 

 inclined to think that albumen may be found in largely 

 excessive quantities in the urine of horses suffering from 



