AZOTURIA. 545 



azoturia, and Drs. Barrett and Ellis coincide with me in 

 this view, Prof. AVilliams entertaining a contrary opinion. 

 I had some urine, drawn from a horse suffering from this 

 disease, analyzed by Prof. Ellis, of the School of Prac- 

 tical Science and Chemistry. The analysis showed the 

 presence of albumen in the urine in largely excessive quan- 

 tities ; still, the point is a disputed one.' Quick or violent 

 exercise is more likely to induce, or rather develop, the 

 condition than slow work. The urea acting upon the 

 nerves causes tonic spasm of certain muscles, and oftenest 

 those of the hind extremities. The disease is frequently 

 associated with bowel disorders, more particularly in cases 

 developed by rapid exercise when the stomach and bowels 

 are overloaded with ingesta. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of azoturia are very plain, and 

 should be readily recognised by anyone who has even the 

 slightest acquaintance with the disease. The horse is brought 

 out of the stable after having been well fed and rested for 

 several days. He comes out in high spirits, and apparently 

 full of life. After travelling a short distance he is observed 

 to become somewhat dull and sluggish, perspires freely, 

 and then shows stiffness in the loins, exhibiting an action 

 somewhat similar to that caused by placing the foot upon 

 a stone. The animal during progression drags the limb 

 along, as it were, may stagger slightly, manifests weakness 

 in the region of the loins, and finally stops, being unable to 

 proceed any further on his way ; he may retain the stand- 

 ing posture or may fall, or lie, down. When down he is 

 unable to rise, the pulse quickens, and more or less pain is 

 manifested. In the early stage of the disease, if allowed to 

 stop, he will do so, lying down and rolling frequently, as 

 though suffering from colic, until finally on lying down he 

 becomes unable to rise ; the muscles of the haunch become 

 firmly contracted, and feel as hard as though composed of 



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