104 NEW YORK ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY 



The association of rheumatism with cold and dampness has 

 always been so notorious that no argument is needed to emphasize 

 that fact. It is pre-eminently a disease of cold climates, and 

 especially along the Atlantic slope. Animals that are kept in 

 cold, damp, sunless buildings, suffer most. A sudden change of 

 weather, to cold and wet, is the signal for aggravation of the ex- 

 isting disease. While cold and dampness are potent factors in 

 precipitating or aggravating an attack, these must not be looked 

 upon as the sole or essential causes of rheumatism. The numer- 

 ous theories, such as the excess of lactic acid, neuropathic, in- 

 fective, etc., each have their staunch supporters. 



Symptoms. — The attack is usually sudden and marked by a 

 slight chill, shivering and lameness. Of the joints affected, the 

 knee is most frequently attacked ; the hock and ankles next in 

 order. The tendons and their synovial sheaths are very often 

 implicated. A joint that is weak by reason of previous injury 

 or disease is especially liable to suffer. The affected joint is usu- 

 ally swollen, hot and tender; the sensitiveness being as a rule 

 greatest when there is pressure upon the capsular ligament. In 

 some cases, however, the swelling may be entirely absent, and the 

 trouble is then located only by the evidence of pain during motion. 



In one case of a Baker roan antelope, the left knee has fre- 

 quently been the site of rheumatic attacks. This animal would 

 walk on three legs, or upon four with great stiffness, avoiding as 

 far as possible all flexion of the joint. The joint was always 

 much swollen. During these attacks the animal would lie most 

 of the time, but, if compelled to walk, his sufferings was shown 

 by hastened breathing and dilated nostrils. 



In the case of an African rhinoceros, the knees and hocks 

 were simultaneously attacked, and the suffering of the animal 

 was intense. The animal would lie on its side with all four legs 

 extended, and when any attempt was made to disturb him he 

 would groan with pain, and could only gain his feet with great 

 effort. All the joints were very painful on pressure and much 

 swollen ; the skin was dry and hard ; the mucous membrane of 

 the nose and mouth congested, and the eyes very much injected. 

 When made to move he would do so with very great difficulty, 

 slowly and stiffly, grunting or groaning at each movement. 



Treatment. — To place an animal suffering from rheumatism 

 in warm, dry, quarters, is the first important step to take. Car- 

 nivorous animals have been greatly benefited by the following: 



