IDIOPATHIC FEVER. 139 



little is passed but hard, small, and dark-coloured lumps. The 

 urinary discharges are scanty and high-coloured. The 

 respiration is not disturbed. 



Precursory of other Disease. — Though these symp- 

 toms denote idiopathic fever, yet they may usher in any local 

 inflammatory attack : for, as Professor Thomson observes, in 

 regard to fever in the human subject, ^' as local inflamma- 

 tion gives rise to constitutional febrile symptoms, so idio- 

 pathic fever often gives rise to, or at least is accompanied by, 

 local inflammatory symptom s.^^ It is, therefore, impossible 

 for any one to say, in the early stage, what the case may 

 turn out. Commonly, inflammation of the lungs is the 

 afi'ection which it developes, though it may prove the fore- 

 runner of simple catarrh, and it does sometimes turn to in- 

 flammation of the brain. An acute observer will soon 

 detect any symptoms that may arise, and become speedily 

 informed as to the tendency of the case. However, should 

 these febrile symptoms continue without any indication of 

 some organ being disturbed, we may set the case down as 

 simple fever. 



Causes. — Alternations of temperature are the most fre- 

 quent. During the spring and autumnal seasons fever often 

 becomes epidemic. Over-exertion is also a cause. Horses 

 kept in a state of plethora may be regarded as verging on 

 fever, and generally exhibit it upon work. 



Prognosis. — In a general way we have little to fear from 

 fever, so long as it is not associated with any other malady. 

 it seldom runs high, and in general begins to decline when 

 we attack it with moderate depletion. 



Fever from over-exertion. — There is a form of fever, 

 the result of over-exertion, which is frequently of a fatal de- 

 scription. An over-exerted, or over-marked horse, may have 

 simply a fit of cold and trembling, succeeded by heat and 

 fever, which, after a while, will pass off; or he shall give 

 evidence of much greater disorder, and such as we may be 

 unable to quell. I will state the symptoms : The animal 

 presents a spectacle of exhaustion. It is commonly found 

 down ; but is easily roused. The general despondency be- 



