GENERAL DISEASES. 117 



the animal again resumes work. Tares, vetches, and other 

 leguminous vegetables, are especially apt to induce this 

 serious malady. Horses fed with materials rich in proteids 

 during a state of rest are the most subject to attack. It 

 is most common during autumn, and it has been observed 

 to be of more frequent occurrence among mares than among 

 geldings. 



This is especially the case during the oestrum, when the 

 excitability of mares is increased. 



Symptoms. — The symptoms of azoturia come on suddenly, 

 without any previous warning or indication of disease. 

 Horses may be attacked when in the stable, or, as more 

 commonly occurs, when they have travelled a short distance 

 after a period of rest. 



In the latter case they become suddenly lame, or have 

 such difficulty in moving the limbs, generally the hind ones, 

 that they are scarcely able to move. In some cases they 

 are, as it were, struck down suddenly from loss of motor 

 power in the posterior extsemities. In other instances 

 the attack is not so sudden ; the animal becomes very rest- 

 less, perspires freely, and shows a disposition to lie down, 

 and very shortly the characteristic symptoms appear, if not 

 already present. There are tremors and violent spasmodic 

 twitchings of the large muscles of the loins and gluteal 

 muscles, ending in tonic contraction or more or less total 

 loss of power. The perspiration may be excessive. The 

 urine discharged is high-coloured, thick, and of a brownish 

 tint. The specific gravity is always much increased, and 

 may reach 1185 or even more, and is highest during the 

 first few hours after the attack. It often gradually 

 diminishes afterwards. 



The pulse varies from 60 to 80 beats per minute, and is 

 generally weak, though in some cases, on the contrary, it is 

 strong. 



