GENERAL DISEASES. 121 



regular exercise and work; want of sufficient exercise; 

 improper diet, and impaired digestion from any cause. 

 Oxaluria is most commonly met with in hunters, or other 

 horses whose work is irregular, and which undergo long 

 periods of fasting. It is also induced by food rich in sac- 

 charine matter, as carrots, turnips, or other roots, especially 

 if the digestion be deranged. 



Symptoms. — The animal is stiff in the loins, and easily 

 fatigued ; he loses flesh, the skin becomes dry and scurfy, 

 the appetite is capricious, and there is frequent voiding of 

 a pale-coloured urine, often accompanied by uneasiness. 

 The bowels are often constipated, and the tongue furred. 

 The urine is clear, pale, and acid or neutral in reaction 

 and when examined under the microscope shows crystals of 

 oxalate of lime. These are either in the form of octahedra 

 or very rarely dumb-bell shaped. 



Treatment. — Firstly, it is necessary to administer a 

 purgative. The diet should be carefully regulated, and 

 roots and food containing much sugar should not be allowed. 

 Vegetable tonics and mineral acids should be given to im- 

 prove the digestion. For this purpose dilute nitro-hydro- 

 chloric acid, tincture of nux vomica, and gentian may be 

 administered three times daily. If the drinking-water 

 contain lime in excess, it should be changed, as other 

 remedies will not effect a cure if there be an excess of lime 

 in the system. 



Eegular exercise and fresh air are essential. 



STOMATITIS PUSTULOSA CONTAGIOSA.^ 



Several cases of this contagious disease are reported as 

 having occurred at Berlin during the summer of 1876. 



* For full description of this disease, vide Veterinary Journal for 

 November, 1878. 



