370 THE HORSE. 



the expressioQ of countenance and by groans, as well as by fre(iaeut 

 wistful looks at the loins. On pressing these parts there is some 

 tenderness, but not excessive, as in rheumatism. The pulse is 

 quick, hard, and full. The attitude of the hind quarters is pecu- 

 liar, the horse standing in a straddling position with his back 

 arched, and refusing to move without absolute compulsion. It is 

 sometimes difficult to distinguish nephritis from inflammation of 

 the neck of the bladder, but by attending to the state of the urine, 

 which is dark brown or black in the former case, and nearly of a 

 natural color in the latter, the one may be diagnosed from the 

 other. To make matters still more clear, the oiled hand may be 

 passed into the rectum, when in nephritis the bladder will be found 

 contracted and empty (the urine being so pungent as to irritate 

 that organ), while in inflammation or spasm of its neck, it will be 

 distended, often to a large size. The treatment to be adopted must 

 be active, as the disease runs a very rapid course, and speedily ends 

 in death if neglected. A large quantity of blood must at once be 

 taken. The skin must be acted on energetically, so as to draw the 

 blood to its surface, and if a Turkish bath (see page 215) is at 

 hand, it will be highly beneficial. If not, the application of hot 

 water, as recommended at page 342, may be tried, and in many 

 cases it has acted like a charm. Failing the means for carrying 

 out either of these remedies, the loins should be rubbed with an 

 embrocation consisting of olive oil, liquid ammoniae and laudanum 

 in equal parts, but cantharides and turpentine must be carefully 

 avoided, as likely t*o be absorbed, when they would add fuel to the 

 fire. A fresh sheepskin should be warmed with hot (not boiling) 

 water, and applied over the back, and the liniment should be 

 rubbed in profusely every hour, restoring the skin to its place im- 

 mediately afterwards. Mustard is sometimes used instead of am- 

 monia, and as it' is always at hand, it may form a good substitute, 

 but it is not nearly so powerful an irritant to the skin as the latter, 

 especial .y when evaporation is prevented by the sheepskin, or by 

 a piece of any waterproof article. A mild aperient may be given, 

 linseed oil being the best form, but if the bowels continue ob- 

 stinate, and it is necessary to repeat it, eight or ten drops of croton 

 oil may be added to a pint of the oil, great care being taken to 

 assist its action by raking and injection, the latter being also use- 

 ful as a fomentation to the kidneys. The diet should consist of 

 scalded linseed and bran mashes, no water being allowed without 

 containing sufficient linseed tea to make it slightly glutinous, but 

 not so much so as to nauseate the patient. If the symptoms are 

 not greatly abated in six or eight hours, the bleeding must be re- 

 peated, for upon this remedy the chief dependence must be placed. 

 A mild and soothing drench, composed of half an ounce of car- 

 bonate of soda, dissolved in six ounces of linseed tea, may be giveii 



